What Is an Industrial Network? Industrial Ethernet Basics and Key Standards

As factory and equipment automation continues to advance, the design of communication environments between devices has become a critical factor that directly affects productivity and operation stability.
Communication delays and failures can lead to equipment stoppages and reduced product quality, making network design and selection increasingly important. In practice, however, the wide variety of terms and options—such as fieldbus, industrial Ethernet, and various communication standards—often makes it difficult to determine which architecture or standard should be selected.
This article explains the basics of industrial networks, the key requirements, common connection architectures, and the differences between major standards, and provides a clear guide to selecting the right option for each application, even for beginners.

Contents

• What Is an Industrial Network?
• Key Requirements for Industrial Networks (Real-Time Performance, Reliability, and Redundancy)
• What Is Network Topology? (Star, Bus, and Ring)
• What Is the Network Hierarchy in a Manufacturing Environment?
• Differences Between Fieldbus and Industrial Ethernet
• Major Industrial Ethernet Standards
• How to Select an Industrial Ethernet Standard Based on Application
• Contec Products for Industrial Network Applications
• Common Models for Leveraging Industrial Network Data
• Conclusion

What Is an Industrial Network?

An industrial network is a communication infrastructure that connects field devices and control equipment in production environments to enable control, monitoring, and data collection. In factories and industrial facilities, many devices must operate in coordination. As a result, network design and architecture directly affect stable operation and the risk of equipment problems.
In practice, the term covers more than data exchange between devices. It also includes equipment status monitoring and integration with higher-level systems.
Typical examples include fieldbus, which has long been used for communication between field devices and controllers, and industrial Ethernet, which has evolved from Ethernet technology.
In recent years, the number of connected devices and the volume of data have both increased. At the same time, concepts such as IIoT, which connects factory equipment and data through networks, and Industry 4.0, which uses information and communication technology to advance manufacturing, have become more widespread.
Integration with IT systems and cloud platforms is also becoming more important in production environments. As a result, industrial networks are increasingly expected to provide higher-speed and lower-latency communication infrastructure.

The Role of Networks in Factories and Industrial Equipment

In factories and industrial equipment, information collected from field devices is processed by controllers such as industrial PCs and PLCs. The results are then used for equipment control and facility monitoring.
All of this depends on devices being able to exchange data correctly. Communication delays or interruptions can lead to equipment malfunction or stoppage. For this reason, the network plays a critical role.
Industrial networks provide the communication foundation that supports this data exchange.
The main roles are as follows

• Data exchange between devices
• Collection of sensor data
• Equipment control by PLCs and controllers
• Equipment monitoring and status visibility
• Integration with higher-level systems

Why Industrial Networks Became Widespread

As fieldbus technology became widely adopted for control communication in production environments, factories increasingly began connecting multiple field devices through networks and managing control information and equipment status in an integrated way.
Compared with systems based on individual wiring, network-based configurations made equipment architecture easier to organize and improved visibility and diagnostics, which helped drive adoption.
At the same time, as industrial equipment has become more advanced, the number of connected devices and the volume of data have increased, creating a growing need for faster and more flexible data handling. In addition, the spread of IIoT and Industry 4.0 has increased the importance of integration with IT systems and cloud platforms in production environments.
In response to these trends, demand grew for communication infrastructure that could handle larger volumes of data reliably while also supporting real-time performance. As a result, industrial Ethernet became more widely adopted.

Key Requirements for Industrial Networks (Real-Time Performance, Reliability, and Redundancy)

Unlike general office LANs, industrial networks must be designed to support the stable operation of equipment and devices. In factories and transportation infrastructure, communication delays and errors can lead to production stoppages and equipment failures. For this reason, communication requirements must be carefully evaluated.
The three most important requirements are as follows

1. Real-time performance
2. Reliability
3. Redundancy

1. Real-Time Performance

Real-time performance refers to the ability to transmit required data within the specified time and apply it to control operations.
In control applications, communication needs to be more than just fast. It must also respond reliably within a fixed time period. For example, in I/O control, motion control, and safety control applications, communication delays can affect equipment operation and control accuracy. As such, communication performance must be sufficient to complete processing reliably within a predefined cycle.

2. Reliability

Reliability is also a key requirement, as communication errors and delays must be minimized so that required data transmission can continue stably. Even a temporary communication failure in a production environment can lead to equipment stoppages or reduced product quality.
For this reason, network design must take communication paths, device architecture, and the characteristics of the selected standard into account so that the required communication quality can be maintained consistently.

3. Redundancy

Redundancy refers to a system architecture that can limit the impact on the overall system if part of the equipment or a communication path fails.
For example, the system can be designed so that if one communication path fails, communication can continue over an alternative path.
A ring network architecture is one common example of this approach. Redundancy helps reduce the risk of production stoppages by ensuring communication can continue more easily during a failure.

What Is Network Topology? (Star, Bus, and Ring)

Network topology refers to the way devices are connected within a communication network. In industrial networks, the selected topology affects the scope of impact of failures, the ease of implementing redundancy, and the ease of wiring, expansion, and maintenance.
When selecting a topology, it is important to consider the following points

• The scope of impact when a device or cable fails
• The ease of securing backup paths and implementing redundancy
• The ease of wiring, expansion, and maintenance

In production environments, the appropriate topology must be selected based on the equipment architecture and the requirements that are given priority. This section explains the three most common network topologies.

Star Topology

A star topology is a network architecture in which each device is connected individually to a central switching hub or similar aggregation device.
It is widely used in standard LAN architectures because even if a specific device or cable fails, the impact is less likely to spread to other connected devices.
However, if the central hub or aggregation device fails, the entire network can be affected.

Bus Topology

A bus topology is a network architecture in which multiple devices are connected to a single trunk cable. This topology makes it easy to keep the system architecture simple, but if the trunk cable fails, multiple connected devices may be affected. In addition, when adding devices or modifying wiring, the impact on the existing communication path must be considered.
For these reasons, bus topology is no longer the main choice for new network architectures. However, it remains important to understand when learning about conventional industrial networks.

Ring Topology

A ring topology is a network architecture in which devices are connected in a ring. Because the communication path forms a closed loop, a failure at one point can affect the entire network.
To address this issue, industrial networks often use redundancy mechanisms so that communication can continue more easily even when a failure occurs.

What Is the Network Hierarchy in a Manufacturing Environment?

Networks in manufacturing environments are typically organized into multiple layers based on the connected devices and the roles they perform.
For example, these layers may include higher-level IT systems for business and production management、 a controller layer for equipment control and monitoring、 a field network for devices such as sensors and robot arms.
Whereas network topology describes how devices are connected, network hierarchy organizes which types of devices or systems are connected based on their roles. The specific architecture varies depending on the manufacturing environment, but it is generally organized as follows.

Layer	Main role
Higher-level IT systems	Works with ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning), MES (Manufacturing Execution System), cloud platforms, and other systems to manage information related to business operations and production management
Controller layer	Handles equipment control and monitoring through control devices such as industrial PCs, PLCs, and HMIs (human-machine interfaces)
Field devices/field network	Connects with field devices such as sensors, robot arms, and drive motors, and exchanges control signals and status information

Differences Between Fieldbus and Industrial Ethernet

Fieldbus is a general term for industrial communication networks that connect field devices such as sensors and actuators to control devices such as PLCs. It became widely used as a way to reduce individual wiring and improve the efficiency of field device control and status monitoring.
In contrast, industrial Ethernet is a network based on Ethernet technology and adapted for industrial applications. While still performing the field communication role traditionally handled by fieldbus, industrial Ethernet is also suited to large-volume data transmission and integration with higher-level systems.
The main difference between the two lies in the amount of data they can handle and the range of system integration they support. In recent years, as industrial equipment has become more advanced and data utilization has expanded, industrial Ethernet has seen broader adoption as a more flexible and scalable communication infrastructure. This section outlines the differences between fieldbus and industrial Ethernet.

Why Fieldbus Has Been Used

In conventional system architectures, the point-to-point method was widely used to connect devices in factories through individual wiring. In this method, each device—such as a sensor or actuator—uses dedicated wiring and is connected individually to the control equipment.
However, as the number of connected devices increased, wiring became more complex, and equipment changes and maintenance required more time and effort. Fieldbus became widely adopted as a way to address these issues.
By connecting field devices through a network, wiring became easier to organize, allowing control data and device status information to be handled more efficiently in an integrated way.
For this reason, fieldbus has been widely used as a fundamental technology for improving the efficiency of control communication in production environments and for managing multiple devices as a system.

Why Industrial Ethernet Became Widespread

Although fieldbus was well suited for control communication with field devices, advances in production equipment have increased the amount of data that must be handled and created demand for more advanced real-time control.
In addition, growing demand for integration with IT systems, cloud platforms, and core business systems has created a need for networks with greater bandwidth and flexibility. Against this background, industrial Ethernet based on Ethernet technology has become increasingly widespread.

Major Industrial Ethernet Standards

Industrial Ethernet includes multiple standards, depending on the application and the required performance. The following sections outline the characteristics of major standards and the types of applications for which they are best suited.

CC-Link IE

CC-Link IE is an open industrial network based on Ethernet technology and promoted by the CC-Link Partner Association (CLPA).
It was designed as an integrated network that connects information systems, controllers, and field-level devices. The specifications for CC-Link IE Control were released in 2008, followed by CC-Link IE Field in 2009. The main CC-Link IE network types are listed below.

Standard	Overview
CC-Link IE Control	A backbone network that connects PLCs and controllers and supports large-scale distributed control
CC-Link IE Field	A field network that connects controllers with field devices such as sensors, I/O devices, and drives
CC-Link IE Field Basic	A field network for small-scale systems that uses general-purpose Ethernet technology and coexists easily with standard Ethernet communication

CC-Link IE Control and CC-Link IE Field are networks designed for high-speed, high-capacity communication at 1 Gbps.
CC-Link IE Field Basic uses general-purpose Ethernet technology and is characterized by its ability to coexist with standard Ethernet communication on the same network line. It is also well suited to small-scale systems that do not require high-speed control, making it easier to reduce the barriers to adoption and implementation.
For this reason, CC-Link IE Field is a suitable option when high real-time performance and large-capacity communication are required, while CC-Link IE Field Basic is a practical choice for small-scale systems that prioritize coexistence with standard Ethernet and ease of implementation.

EtherCAT

EtherCAT is an open industrial Ethernet standard developed by Beckhoff Automation, with particular strengths in real-time control. Today, the EtherCAT Technology Group (ETG) is responsible for promoting the technology, maintaining the specifications, and ensuring conformance.
A key feature of EtherCAT is its use of on-the-fly processing, in which the required data is read and written as the frame passes through each node. More specifically, as the frame passes through each node, the node reads the output data intended for that node (for example, 3 and 6 in the figure) and writes its input data directly into the frame (for example, 4 and 7).
Each node reads the data addressed to it and, at the same time, writes its own transmission data into the frame. This improves communication efficiency and makes it easier to support short transmission cycles.
EtherCAT also supports highly accurate time synchronization by means of distributed clocks, making it suitable for applications that require precise coordination of multiple devices. For these reasons, EtherCAT is widely used in systems such as motion control, where high speed and precise synchronization are required.

Related article：What Is EtherCAT? Measurement Control Using a Software PLC

EtherNet/IP

EtherNet/IP is an open industrial Ethernet standard managed by ODVA, the international organization known for maintaining the EtherNet/IP and CIP specifications. It is based on standard Ethernet technology and provides communication for industrial automation applications.
One of its main features is the use of CIP (Common Industrial Protocol), a common communication protocol for industrial applications. CIP is a framework that supports a wide range of communication services required for industrial use, including control, safety functions, synchronization, and information integration.
EtherNet/IP supports both implicit communication, which is used for cyclic I/O data exchange, and explicit communication, which is used for device configuration and diagnostic data access. This allows real-time control traffic and information traffic, such as configuration and monitoring, to be handled efficiently on the same network.
This standard is well suited not only to device control, but also to equipment status monitoring and configuration management.

PROFINET

PROFINET is an open industrial Ethernet standard specified by PI (PROFIBUS & PROFINET International). Based on standard Ethernet technology, it is characterized by its ability to coexist easily with general TCP/IP communication on the same network.
In PROFINET, the following three communication methods are used according to the required level of real-time performance.

Communication method	Main uses/features
NRT（Non Real-time）	Used for communication that does not require strict real-time performance, such as configuration data exchange and diagnostics
RT（Real-time）	Real-time communication that transmits standard control data at fixed intervals; Supports lower-latency communication than NRT
IRT（Isochronous Real-time）	Communication for applications that require highly precise synchronized control; Suitable for applications where low jitter is important, such as motion control

With support for different communication methods depending on the application, PROFINET can handle a wide range of requirements, from standard control communication to highly precise synchronized control.

Modbus-TCP

Modbus TCP is an industrial communication protocol that enables the Modbus protocol developed by Modicon to operate over TCP/IP. It operates in an Ethernet environment and uses a client-server model, in which the server responds to requests from the client.
Modbus uses a relatively simple communication method in which data is read from and written to registers that store data within a device.
Another feature of Modbus TCP is that it can easily use standard Ethernet devices such as LAN cabling and switching hubs, making it easy to integrate into existing network architectures.
For these reasons, Modbus TCP is widely used in applications where equipment monitoring, data collection, and integration with higher-level systems need to be implemented in a relatively simple manner.

Related article：Modbus: Practical Basics and Key Implementation Points Explained

How to Select an Industrial Ethernet Standard Based on Application

Industrial Ethernet includes multiple standards, and the most suitable choice depends on the required control performance, coexistence with existing networks, and the flexibility of the system architecture. For this reason, it is important not to select a standard based only on performance, but to choose one based on the requirements of your equipment and future scalability. If the selected standard is not appropriate, the system may fail to meet communication requirements or may become unnecessarily complex. This section explains how to select an industrial Ethernet standard based on application, using three main evaluation points.

1. Real-Time Performance and Application

The first point to confirm is the level of real-time performance required by the equipment. The required performance will differ depending on whether the application focuses mainly on I/O control or also requires motion control with highly precise synchronization of multiple devices. For example, if the main requirement is equipment status monitoring or relatively moderate control, ultra-short response cycles may not be essential. In contrast, applications that coordinate servo motors and robotic mechanisms require short communication cycles and highly precise synchronization. For this reason, it is important to clarify the control targets, required response speed, and synchronization accuracy, and then select a standard that matches those requirements.

2. Coexistence with Standard Ethernet Environments

Deciding whether to coexist with existing standard Ethernet communication or to build a dedicated network for control applications is an important step in the design process. If integration with information systems and existing equipment is important, standards that coexist easily with standard Ethernet can make network architecture easier to organize. On the other hand, some standards are designed as dedicated networks focused primarily on control communication. It is important to determine which approach is more appropriate based on the required communication performance and the intended level of integration with existing equipment.

General guide to coexistence with standard Ethernet communication

Category	Main standards
Easy to integrate with existing equipment	CC-Link IE Field Basic EtherNet/IP PROFINET Modbus-TCP
Typically designed as a dedicated network	CC-Link IE Control CC-Link IE Field EtherCAT

• *
  Actual compatibility depends on the devices used and the network architecture. When implementing a system, the specifications of each standard and product must be confirmed.

3.Ease of Network Design and Scalability

Ease of network architecture and support for future equipment expansion are also important selection criteria.
In industrial Ethernet, the topologies that can be adopted most easily—such as star, line, and ring—differ depending on the standard and the supported devices. For example, the appropriate network design will differ depending on whether the priority is to simplify wiring based on equipment layout or to create a configuration that supports easy redundancy and continued communication during a failure. It is also necessary to confirm the number of connected devices, wiring distance, the ease of adding devices, and the intended approach to integration with higher-level systems. It is important to select a standard based not only on initial installation requirements, but also on future expansion, layout changes, and maintenance needs.

Contec Products for Industrial Network Applications

Contec offers products that support the industrial Ethernet standards introduced in this article. The most suitable product depends not only on the supported standard, but also on its communication role and the overall system architecture. For this reason, product selection should be based on the intended application. Main examples of compatible products are as follows.

Industrial network standard	Main compatible product examples	Product role
CC-Link IE Field Basic	CPSL-08P1EN	IO-Link master that supports multiple industrial Ethernet standards
EtherCAT	CPS-PC341EC-1-9201 CPS-PCS341EC-DS1-1201 CPSL-08P1EN CPSN-EOB471EC-41 CPSN-EOB471EC-81	Offers main-device-side controller products and IO-Link main devices that support EtherCAT connectivity
EtherNet/IP	CPSN-EOB471EI-41 CPSN-EOB471EI-81 CPSL-08P1EN	Offers CPU units that can be configured as EtherNet/IP adapters, along with products that support multiple protocols
PROFINET	CPSL-08P1EN	IO-Link master that supports PROFINET connectivity
Modbus-TCP	CPS-PC341MB-ADSC1-9201 CPS-PCS341MB-DS1-1201 CPSN-MCB271-S1-041 CPSN-MCB271-1-041 CPSL-08P1EN CONPROSYS™ M2M Gateway Series	Offers controller and remote I/O products that support client/server communication, along with related products for data integration

Common Models for Leveraging Industrial Network Data

The following section introduces representative products that support major standards, along with related products for data integration using industrial networks.

CPSN-EOB471EI-41／CPSN-EOB471EI-81

CPSL-08P1EN

CPS-PCS341MB-DS1-1201

CPSN-MCB271-S1-041

CONPROSYS™ M2M gateway Series

CONPROSYS™ M2M controller Series

Conclusion

Industrial networks are an important communication infrastructure that supports the stable operation of factories and industrial equipment. In addition to fieldbus, which has been used for field device control and status monitoring, industrial Ethernet is also seeing broader adoption as equipment becomes more advanced and data utilization expands. However, the most suitable network standard and architecture will differ depending on the required real-time performance, reliability, redundancy, and the scope of integration with higher-level systems. When planning implementation, it is important first to clarify the communication performance and system requirements needed for your equipment. Based on the characteristics of each standard and the differences in system architecture, select the industrial network that best fits your application.

Related Links

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