Improving Network-Based Industrial Automation Data Protocols (Linux Journal)

[Posted July 11, 2002 by cook]

Bryce Nakatani writes about issues involved with running industrial automation over TCP/IP connections. "TCP/IP breaks into industrial automation, but not without some problems. The industrial automation sector is rapidly advancing into the use of TCP/IP over Ethernet as a replacement for traditional data connectivity. Many of these devices implement application protocols that mirror their older cousins. With the implementation of IP, the operation, flexibility and reliability of these devices may be jeopardized due to oversights in the implementation of sockets as a new connection medium. In this article I will discuss many issues I've stumbled over while dealing with these issues. I'll also present solutions that future data protocols may improve on."