Introduction To Ethernet/Ip; Ethernet/Ip Features - Omron NXEIP202 User Manual

1 EtherNet/IP Networks
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Introduction to EtherNet/IP

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EtherNet/IP Features

EtherNet/IP is an industrial multi-vendor network that uses Ethernet. The EtherNet/IP specifications are
open standards managed by the ODVA (Open DeviceNet Vendor Association), just like DeviceNet. Eth-
erNet/IP is not just a network between Controllers. It is also used as a field network. Because Ether-
Net/IP uses standard Ethernet technology, various general-purpose Ethernet devices can be used in
the network.
 High-speed, High-capacity Data Exchange through Tag Data Links
The EtherNet/IP protocol supports implicit communications (class 1 connections), which enable
cyclic communications with EtherNet/IP devices. Data can be exchanged at high speed between
Controllers and devices.
 Tag Data Link (Cyclic Communications) Cycle Time
Tag data links (cyclic communications) operate at the cyclic period specified for each connection,
regardless of the number of nodes. Data is exchanged over the network at the refresh cycle set for
each connection, so the communications refresh cycle does not increase even if the number of
nodes is increased. Also, the concurrency of the connection's data is maintained. Since the refresh
cycle can be set for each connection, each application can communicate at its ideal refresh cycle.
For example, inter-process interlocks can be transferred at high speed, while the production com-
mands and the status monitor information are transferred at low speed.
 Flexible Network Topology
Line, star and tree topologies are possible with the dual communication port configuration of the Eth-
erNet/IP Coupler Unit.
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NX-series EtherNet/IP Coupler Unit User's Manual (W536)