EtherNet/IP Profile switch from Hirschmann incorporates EtherNet/IP in its firmware to manage, monitor, and configure it directly in PLC programming software.

Ethernet has evolved from an IT connection to the network of choice for HMI connections, I/O control, drive integration, and video, according to Hirschmann. As these networks have grown more complex, so has the burden of learning to manage and optimize them. Designed to make network management easier, EtherNet/IP Profile switch incorporates EtherNet/IP directly in its firmware, letting users manage, monitor, and configure the Ethernet switch directly in their PLC programming software (for example, Rockwell Software’s RSLogix 5000). The switch is simply added to the I/O tree as a rack of I/O points, drive, or other node would be. From that point, switch parameters are exposed as tags and are available for use in programming code.

Network data are available to the HMI, bringing status and diagnostic information to the display easily. Having this information in the PLC data table makes the integration seamless. Users can incorporate network information, such as switch status and network counters, and enable and disable ports.

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