Schneider Electric joins ODVA, pushes Ethernet IP for plant

The move coincides with ODVA’s plans to extend the CIP Network (which includes DeviceNet, EtherNet IP, CompoNet and extensions like CIP Safety, CIP Sync and CIP Motion) to provide compatibility of Modbus TCP devices. That will mean existing Modbus TCP users get a roadmap into CIP Network from their automation investments. It also reflects Schneider’s plans to deploy EtherNet IP as a foundation for its network strategy – taking up the cause of standard, unmodified Ethernet and Internet technologies for plant communications. Users are likely to benefit from easier interoperability between the largest installed base of industrial Ethernet networks – EtherNet IP and Modbus TCP – as well as automation products from a growing number of vendors doing the same. The result: reduced costs, time and risk for users deploying and maintaining network architectures. “Our customers want the interoperability and seamless integration of the factory floor that networks using standard, unmodified Ethernet can provide – and one network for control, information, configuration, safety, synchronization and motion,” says Adrien Scolé, senior vice president of innovation for the Automation Business of Schneider Electric. “EtherNet IP is the answer to meeting our customers’ needs by providing compatibility with existing Modbus TCP products and systems in combination with the complete suite of services contained in CIP. For these reasons, we are eager to team with ODVA to help make EtherNet IP the most widely used industrial network available,” he adds. EtherNet IP was introduced in 2001 and has more than 1.125 million installed nodes. EtherNet IP and Modbus TCP are the two most popular industrial Ethernet protocols, representing over 50% worldwide market share.