Ethernet/IP: The Industrial Protocol Behind Many PLCs
Not to be confused with regular internet Ethernet, this industrial protocol is common on modern factory floors. Here's what it actually is.
What Ethernet/IP actually is
Ethernet/IP (Industrial Protocol, not internet protocol despite the shared abbreviation) is an industrial communication standard that runs over standard Ethernet cabling and switches, but with a specific application layer designed for real-time industrial control — bringing familiar, widely available Ethernet infrastructure to factory floor communication.
Why running over standard Ethernet matters
Because it uses standard Ethernet hardware rather than a specialised, proprietary cabling and connector system, Ethernet/IP-based equipment is generally easier and cheaper to integrate into a modern IT network than older, more specialised industrial fieldbus protocols — a genuine practical advantage for newer factory automation deployments.
Where this fits into a modern factory network
A factory adopting Ethernet/IP-based PLCs and equipment can often share physical network infrastructure with its broader IT systems (with proper VLAN segmentation, as with any IoT deployment), simplifying the overall network design compared to running a completely separate specialised industrial network alongside a standard business one.
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