Glossary Updates12 new terms added to the glossaries · October 2, 2026, 22:44 CEST
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Glossary · Industrial communication

EtherNet/IP

Also known as: Ethernet Industrial Protocol, CIP over Ethernet

German: EtherNet/IP

In industrial communication, EtherNet/IP is an industrial Ethernet system that transports the Common Industrial Protocol (CIP) over standard Ethernet, TCP/IP and UDP/IP. It is managed by ODVA and included in IEC 61158 and IEC 61784-2. The "IP" stands for Industrial Protocol.

  • Industrial communication
  • Standards

In one sentence

EtherNet/IP carries the Common Industrial Protocol (CIP) over standard Ethernet and TCP/UDP; it is managed by ODVA.

Example

A packaging line controller exchanges I/O data with drives and valve terminals over EtherNet/IP implicit connections every 10 ms.

How it applies

  • Engineering: EtherNet/IP distinguishes implicit messaging (cyclic I/O over UDP) from explicit messaging (request-response over TCP for configuration and diagnostics). It runs on standard switches, but managed switches with IGMP snooping are commonly used to contain multicast traffic.
  • Commissioning: Devices are described by EDS files. The requested packet interval (RPI) sets the update rate of each connection.
  • Extensions: CIP Safety, CIP Motion and CIP Sync (Precision Time Protocol (PTP) based) extend the system. CIP Safety devices provide safety-related communication; the overall safety function still needs its own assessment.
  • Documentation: The documentation team provides the EDS file, the assembly instances and their data layout, the supported RPI range and the device's behavior on connection loss.

EtherNet/IP vs. Ethernet

Ethernet is the physical and data link technology. EtherNet/IP is an application protocol family on top of it. The similar spelling causes frequent confusion in texts and translations.

By knowledge.aitechdoc.world · Published September 26, 2026 · Last reviewed

Source: IEC 61158 and IEC 61784-2 (communication profile family 2), and ODVA publications

Definitions follow the cited standards and specifications. Where a source is a copyrighted publication, such as an ISO, IEC or EN standard, the definition is a close paraphrase, not a verbatim quotation, so as not to infringe copyright. We recommend reading the original publication. The sections “How it applies” are editorial commentary by AI TechDoc Blog and are not part of any standard.

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