Ethernet protocols used for industrial applications, governing organizations, URLs

List of protocols, governing organizations, websites, and other useful URLs and articles from Control Engineering follows, with a table of industrial Ethernet protocols.

By Mark T. Hoske September 1, 2011

Organizations in charge of Ethernet protocols used for industrial applications continue to add value through protocol extensions and updates, related networks, and gaining support of various network vendors and manufacturers.

Check each organization’s website for the latest information about capabilities of industrial Ethernet protocols and related industrial networks and extensions. See bottom of page for additional industrial Ethernet article links from Control Engineering.

Table of Ethernet protocols
Ethernet protocols Governing Organizations URLs
BACnet BACnet International www.bacnetassociation.org 
CC-Link IE CC-Link Partner Association www.cc-linkamerica.org 
EtherCAT EtherCAT Technology Group www.ethercat.org  
Ethernet Powerlink Ethernet Powerlink Standardization Group www.ethernet-powerlink.org 
EtherNet/IP ODVA www.odva.org 
FL-Net (OPCN-2) Japan Electrical Manufacturers Association www.jema-net.or.jp/English 
Foundation HSE Fieldbus Foundation www.fieldbus.org 
Mechantrolink III Mechatrolink Members Association www.mechatrolink.org.en/about/mecha4.html 
Modbus TCP Modbus-IDA www.modbus.org 
Profinet and Profinet IRT PI North America www.us.profinet.com 
SafetyNet Safety Network International e.V. www.safetynet.com 
SERCOS III SERCOS North America, Sercos International www.sercos.com 
SynqNet Synqnet Interest Group www.synqnet.org 
TCP/IP and UDP (native) Internet Engineering Task Force www.ietf.org 
VARAN VARAN Bus Nutzerorganization www.varan-bus.net/index_en.htm 

Source: Control Engineering, CFE Media, www.controleng.com 

Related links:
Also see table: Is Office Ethernet Hardware Tough Enough for Industrial Use? With a table of hardware characteristics. 

Also see: Who Puts the ‘Industrial’ in Ethernet?

High Performance Industrial Networks – research

Plug into Industrial Ethernet Protocols 

Industrial Network Channel 

– Compiled by Mark T. Hoske, CFE Media, Control Engineering, www.controleng.com.

Control Engineering webcasts include more on Ethernet.

https://www.controleng.com/media-library/webcasts.html


Author Bio: Mark Hoske has been Control Engineering editor/content manager since 1994 and in a leadership role since 1999, covering all major areas: control systems, networking and information systems, control equipment and energy, and system integration, everything that comprises or facilitates the control loop. He has been writing about technology since 1987, writing professionally since 1982, and has a Bachelor of Science in Journalism degree from UW-Madison.