Abstract: In a network, a control node is connected to a plurality of network subscribers via a closed ring-shaped data path, wherein the network subscribers form a chain, starting from the control node, with a head subscriber as a termination for the chain. The ring-shaped data path transits through the network subscribers on an outbound route and an inbound route, wherein the network subscribers are designed to perform data interchange both on the outbound route and on the inbound route with data messages circulating on the ring-shaped data path. The control node is additionally designed such that it outputs data messages with an identifier on the data path, wherein the head subscriber has a filter function to use a prescribed identifier to block the further transport of data messages with the corresponding identifier on the inbound route following transit of data messages through the head subscriber on the outbound route.

Abstract: A data network comprises a master, a network distributor and a plurality of network users. The network distributor is connected to a master data path, a first and a second user data path. A method for transferring data telegrams in this data network includes the reception of a first master data telegram sent by the master through the network distributor, the compilation transfer of a first and a second transmission data telegram through the network distributor, and the reception of a first and a second reception data telegram through the network distributor. Further, the network distributor compiles a second master data telegram and transfers it to the master. In this connection, an access indicator of the second master data telegram represents accesses of the network user to the first master data telegram, the first and second transmission data telegrams as well as the first and second reception data telegrams.

Abstract: A network includes a first network participant connected via a first connection to a further network participant. The first network participant receives a data message containing information that a parameter must be set to a first value, via the first connection. The first network participant checks whether it is connected via a second connection to a still further network, and whether the parameter is not set to the first value in the second connection. In this case, the first network participant forwards the data message via the second connection, clearing down the second connection, and re-establishes the second connection, where the parameter for the second connection is set to the first value.

Abstract: A network subscriber comprises a plurality of individual functional units, each individual functional unit comprising an application interface. The network subscriber further comprises a network subscriber comprises at least a shared functional unit, a first interface for establishing a physical connection and a second interface for establishing a further physical connection.

Abstract: A method for operating a node in a communications network comprises the following steps: The node receives a reference time via the communications network. A transmit clock of the node, which was determined for an earlier clock cycle on the basis of a local clock of the node, is compared with the reference time. The local clock of the node is corrected on the basis of the comparison result. On the basis of the corrected local clock a transmit clock is determined to be used by the node for the current clock cycle.

Abstract: A module for a data bus comprises a terminal. The terminal comprises two opposite outer faces, each comprising at least one contact, wherein the two contacts are connected by means of an internal data-bus line for forwarding data through the terminal via said internal data bus. The module further comprises a software-protection unit which is integrated into the terminal and connected to said data-bus line.

Abstract: In a network, a control node is connected to a plurality of network subscribers via a closed ring-shaped data path, wherein the network subscribers form a chain, starting from the control node, with a head subscriber as a termination for the chain. The ring-shaped data path transits through the network subscribers on an outbound route and an inbound route, wherein the network subscribers are designed to perform data interchange both on the outbound route and on the inbound route with data messages circulating on the ring-shaped data path. The control node is additionally designed such that it outputs data messages with an identifier on the data path, wherein the head subscriber has a filter function to use a prescribed identifier to block the further transport of data messages with the corresponding identifier on the inbound route following transit of data messages through the head subscriber on the outbound route.

Abstract: A method for operating a network that has a network subscriber that is connected to a superordinate bus and to a subordinate bus comprises steps for the reception of a first superordinate data message by the network subscriber via the superordinate bus, the extraction of first data from the first superordinate data message by the network subscriber and for the transmission of a first subordinate data message by the network subscriber via the subordinate bus. In one case, the first subordinate data message comprises the first data.

Abstract: A data network comprises a master, a network distributor and a plurality of network users. The network distributor is connected to a master data path, a first and a second user data path. A method for transferring data telegrams in this data network includes the reception of a first master data telegram sent by the master through the network distributor, the compilation transfer of a first and a second transmission data telegram through the network distributor, and the reception of a first and a second reception data telegram through the network distributor. Further, the network distributor compiles a second master data telegram and transfers it to the master. In this connection, an access indicator of the second master data telegram represents accesses of the network user to the first master data telegram, the first and second transmission data telegrams as well as the first and second reception data telegrams.

Abstract: A method for operating a communication network comprising a master and a number of subscribers. A message comprising a data field is transmitted by the master, wherein at least one of the subscribers, on receiving the message, reads data out of the data field of the message, and forwards the message to at least one other one of the subscribers after the readout, and wherein the at least one other one of the subscribers, on receiving the message, writes data into the data field.

Abstract: A real-time run-time system comprises a plurality of functional modules and an administration module. The plurality of functional modules is configured to log on to the administration module using an assigned module identification during a transitional state between initialization and pre-operation and to log off during a transitional state between pre-operation and initialization. At least one of the plurality of functional modules is configured to establish communication connections with further functional modules via the administration module during the transitional state between pre-operation and trial operation, to break down the communication connections during the transitional state between trial operation and pre-operation, to log on to the further functional modules during the transitional state between trial operation and real-time operation and to log off during the transitional state between real-time operation and trial operation.

Abstract: A packet switching device comprises a network interface configured to send and receive data packets via a communication network, a plurality of string interfaces configured to transmit and receive data packets to/from a plurality of participants and a switching unit connected to the network interface and to the plurality of string interfaces. The a switching unit comprises a control unit configured to control a data throughput. The control unit comprises an interface association table which determines that data packets received via the network interface are mandatorily outputted via the string interfaces and the data packets received via the string interfaces are mandatorily outputted via the network interface.

Abstract: In order to operate a safety control in an automation network having a master subscriber which implements the safety control, the safety control is assigned an identifier. When loading the safety control, the master subscriber checks whether the stored identifier in the safety master subscriber matches the identifier calculated form the safety control, and the automation network changes to a safe state if it is determined that the identifier differs.

Abstract: A communication system comprises a multiplicity of slave units and a master unit. The slave units are coupled to one another via a first communication path and a second communication path, the first communication path and the second communication path operating in opposite directions to one another, and a master unit, the master unit being coupled to the multiplicity of slave units via the first communication path and the second communication path. The master unit comprises a transmit control unit, the transmit control unit separately transmitting an information signal with a data field which has for each slave unit an associated data area, on the first communication path as a first information signal and on the second communication path as a second information signal.

Abstract: An interface unit is provided for a communication system comprising a master unit and a plurality of slave units serially connecting the master unit via a double ring structure comprising a first communication path and a second communication path. The interface unit comprises a first switching unit, which is configured to output information signals received by the master unit as a first information signal to the first communication path and as a second information signal to the second communication path; and a second switching unit, which is configured to forward the first information signal circulating on the first communication path and second information signal circulating on the second communication path to the master unit.

Abstract: A real-time run-time system comprises a plurality of functional modules and an administration module. The plurality of functional modules is configured to log on to the administration module using an assigned module identification during a transitional state between initialization and pre-operation and to log off during a transitional state between pre-operation and initialization. At least one of the plurality of functional modules is configured to establish communication connections with further functional modules via the administration module during the transitional state between pre-operation and trial operation, to break down the communication connections during the transitional state between trial operation and pre-operation, to log on to the further functional modules during the transitional state between trial operation and real-time operation and to log off during the transitional state between real-time operation and trial operation.

Abstract: In order to operate a safety control in an automation network having a master subscriber which implements the safety control, the safety control is assigned an identifier. When loading the safety control, the master subscriber checks whether the stored identifier in the safety master subscriber matches the identifier calculated form the safety control, and the automation network changes to a safe state if it is determined that the identifier differs.

Abstract: When data are sent in the form of Ethernet messages on an Ethernet transmission link using an interface to link a node to the Ethernet transmission link, the data to be sent are converted using a conversion unit in line with a transmission standard of the Ethernet protocol in order to provide Ethernet messages, and a transmission unit is used for ongoing transmission of the provided Ethernet messages, with Ethernet messages being output onto the Ethernet transmission link continuously.

Abstract: A packet switching device comprises a network interface configured to send and receive data packets via a communication network, a plurality of string interfaces configured to transmit and receive data packets to/from a plurality of participants and a switching unit connected to the network interface and to the plurality of string interfaces. The a switching unit comprises a control unit configured to control a data throughput. The control unit comprises an interface association table which determines that data packets received via the network interface are mandatorily outputted via the string interfaces and the data packets received via the string interfaces are mandatorily outputted via the network interface.

Abstract: A communication system comprises a multiplicity of slave units and a master unit. The slave units are coupled to one another via a first communication path and a second communication path, the first communication path and the second communication path operating in opposite directions to one another, and a master unit, the master unit being coupled to the multiplicity of slave units via the first communication path and the second communication path. The master unit comprises a transmit control unit, the transmit control unit separately transmitting an information signal with a data field which has for each slave unit an associated data area, on the first communication path as a first information signal and on the second communication path as a second information signal.