Abstract: A control device having an integrated switch and being configured to logically enable and disable an Ethernet port of the integrated switch. Further disclosed is a device network consisting of at least two field devices, a primary control device and a primary switch, a secondary control device and a secondary switch, which are connected in a daisy chain loop topology. And wherein the secondary control device is configured to logically enable and disable an Ethernet port of the secondary switch. Further disclosed is a flat network consisting of such a device network. Further disclosed is a method for controlling a redundant connection in a flat network, consisting of detecting failure of the primary control device, initiating failover, enabling the Ethernet port of the secondary switch, and disabling the Ethernet port of the primary switch.

Abstract: A method for deploying a service in a cluster of Input/Output devices comprising several I/O devices comprising a container engine. The method can be performed via a container client. A stack file is obtained that identifies at least one service and specifies at least one device constraint. Then, a command is sent based on the stack file, to deploy a service on a container stack of at least one first I/O device among the IO devices of the cluster if the at least one first I/O device matches the device constraint.

Abstract: A method for deploying a service in a cluster of Input/Output devices comprising several I/O devices comprising a container engine. The method can be performed via a container client. A stack file is obtained that identifies at least one service and specifies at least one device constraint. Then, a command is sent based on the stack file, to deploy a service on a container stack of at least one first I/O device among the IO devices of the cluster if the at least one first I/O device matches the device constraint.

Abstract: A control device having an integrated switch and being configured to logically enable and disable an Ethernet port of the integrated switch. Further disclosed is a device network consisting of at least two field devices, a primary control device and a primary switch, a secondary control device and a secondary switch, which are connected in a daisy chain loop topology. And wherein the secondary control device is configured to logically enable and disable an Ethernet port of the secondary switch. Further disclosed is a flat network consisting of such a device network. Further disclosed is a method for controlling a redundant connection in a flat network, consisting of detecting failure of the primary control device, initiating failover, enabling the Ethernet port of the secondary switch, and disabling the Ethernet port of the primary switch.