EtherNet/IP

EtherNet/IP is an industrial Ethernet network that combines standard Ethernet technologies with the media-independent Common Industrial Protocol or "CIP." EtherNet/IP is one of the leading industrial Ethernet networks in the United States, and is widely used in a range from industries including factory, hybrid and process. The EtherNet/IP and CIP technologies are managed by ODVA, Inc., a global trade and standards development organization founded in 1995 with over 300 corporate members.

EtherNet/IP uses both of the most widely deployed collections of Ethernet standards –the Internet Protocol suite and IEEE 802 project – to define the features and functions for its transport, network, data link and physical layers. CIP uses its object-oriented design to provide EtherNet/IP with the services and device profiles needed for real-time control applications and to promote consistent implementation of automation functions across a diverse ecosystem of products. In addition, EtherNet/IP adapts key elements of Ethernet’s standard capabilities and services to the CIP object model framework, such as the User Datagram Protocol which EtherNet/IP uses to transport I/O messages.