SAINT LOUIS (Automation Fair 2005), November 16, 2005 - Cisco Systems®, Inc. today announced it has substantially increased its commitment to support EtherNet/IPTM as the premier Ethernet network solution for factory floor automation and information by becoming a founding member of ODVA, the standards development organization that manages and promotes EtherNet/IP. EtherNet/IP, which uses standard, unmodified Ethernet and the Common Industrial Protocol (CIPTM), enables companies to integrate automation equipment, controllers, I/O and drive control, device configuration and data collection while easily unifying their plant floor automation systems with Factory IT. A member of ODVA since 2003, Cisco will now join Rockwell Automation as one of the founding members of ODVA, providing broad-based support to the organization in its development and management of CIP technologies (DeviceNet , EtherNet/IP , CIP Safety , CIP Sync and CIP Motion ). Cisco will also serve on ODVA's Board of Directors and Technical Review Board.
This action, coupled with Cisco's current membership in Rockwell Automation's Encompass Program, will allow Cisco and Rockwell Automation to create synergy between Information Technology (IT) and automation engineers. This will reduce the networking challenges faced by global manufacturers in applying Ethernet, security and wireless standards across the enterprise.
"Cisco Systems and Rockwell Automation are united in their commitment to the use of standard, unmodified Ethernet to help bridge the gap between IT and automation," said Steve Eisenbrown, Sr. VP Automation, Control and Information Group, Rockwell Automation. "Combining our resources and expertise with Cisco and other member companies of ODVA will accelerate the integration of plant-wide information throughout the enterprise."
Cisco's Intelligent Networked Manufacturing suite of solutions helps provide unobstructed visibility and security across the entire manufacturing value chain, enabling customers to deliver real-time information to employees, partners and their customers at any time, from anywhere. This helps reduce costs and enhance customer value. Building upon its history of working with automation leader Rockwell Automation, Cisco is refining the relevance of Ethernet to the manufacturing environment with the Ethernet to the Factory solution which provides an open network that allows data to be used more readily, in real time, thereby increasing data's availability for use by other applications.
Cisco's commitment to bring Ethernet to the factory floor also includes the company's development of security standards for use in automation control systems with plant floor controllers, human machine interfaces, variable frequency drives, auto ID, industrial computer workstations and all associated software. These solutions will comply with emerging IEEE 802.1x authentication security standards, enabling connected devices to authorize themselves to the network. Such automated authentication decreases the need for human intervention while increasing security and factory productivity.
"Our work with Rockwell Automation and our mutual customers, in concert with our relationship with ODVA, provides us with the vehicle and support to provide new and enhanced solutions for the factory environment," said Scott Westlake, Worldwide Manufacturing Industry Director, Cisco Systems. "Our increased involvement with ODVA and other industry standard bodies demonstrates Cisco's commitment to driving IP convergence in the factory to address customer requirements for real-time information from anywhere in the world."
Cisco will also continue to drive the adoption of the IEEE 802.3af-based Power over Ethernet (PoE) standard by bringing its expertise in delivering 802.3af-compliant, PoE switches, IP Telephones and wireless access points to the world of manufacturing. Additionally, Cisco and Rockwell Automation will cooperate in advancing the standards pertinent to wireless networking in the manufacturing controls area and in simplifying switching and routing interface products, enabling streamlined configuration and migration capabilities for customers.
About EtherNet/IP
EtherNet/IP extends commercial off-the-shelf Ethernet to the Common Industrial Protocol (CIP) - the same upper-layer protocol and object model found in DeviceNet. CIP allows EtherNet/IP and DeviceNet product developers, system integrators and users to apply the same objects and profiles for plug-and-play interoperability among devices from multiple vendors and in multiple sub-nets. Combined, DeviceNet and EtherNet/IP promote transparency from sensors to the enterprise software.
About ODVA
ODVA is an international association comprised of members from the world's leading automation companies. Collectively, ODVA and its members support network technologies based on the Common Industrial Protocol (CIPTM). These currently include DeviceNetTM, EtherNet/IPTM, CIP MotionTM, CIP SafetyTM and CIP SyncTM. ODVA manages the development of these open technologies and assists manufacturers and users of CIP Networks through tools, training and marketing activities. For more information, visit its web site at www.odva.org.
