Abstract: A method for operating a network with two control devices and at least one peripheral device, wherein each of the control devices, in relation to the peripheral device, is in an active operating state in which it is sending control instructions to the peripheral device or is in an idle operating state in which it is not sending any control instructions to the peripheral device. The control device that is in the active operating state in relation to the peripheral device sends synchronization signals at regular intervals to the other control device and activity signals to the peripheral device. Upon failure of the synchronization signals, the non-active control device checks whether the peripheral device is still receiving activity signals from the active control device. If it is not, the non-active control device assumes control of the peripheral device.

Abstract: A method for operating a network with two control devices and at least one peripheral device, wherein each of the control devices, in relation to the peripheral device, is in an active operating state in which it is sending control instructions to the peripheral device or is in an idle operating state in which it is not sending any control instructions to the peripheral device. The control device that is in the active operating state in relation to the peripheral device sends synchronization signals at regular intervals to the other control device and activity signals to the peripheral device. Upon failure of the synchronization signals, the non-active control device checks whether the peripheral device is still receiving activity signals from the active control device. If it is not, the non-active control device assumes control of the peripheral device.

Abstract: There is described a communication system for reliable communication between communication stations, wherein there is at least one communication connection between the communication stations, wherein the communication connection features at least two channels for transmitting payload data telegrams, wherein only one channel acts as primary channel for the communication at any time, and wherein the other channels are provided as backup channels. A status indicator in the payload data telegram is provided for the indication of information concerning which channel is primary channel or backup channel at a given time point, wherein the communication stations adopt as primary channel that channel for which, during receipt of the payload data telegrams, the most recent status change from backup channel to primary channel was detected by the communication stations.

Abstract: There is described a communication system for reliable communication between communication stations, wherein there is at least one communication connection between the communication stations, wherein the communication connection features at least two channels for transmitting payload data telegrams, wherein only one channel acts as primary channel for the communication at any time, and wherein the other channels are provided as backup channels. A status indicator in the payload data telegram is provided for the indication of information concerning which channel is primary channel or backup channel at a given time point, wherein the communication stations adopt as primary channel that channel for which, during receipt of the payload data telegrams, the most recent status change from backup channel to primary channel was detected by the communication stations.

Abstract: A method and an engineering system, which reduce the extent of configuration work with regard to a possible expansion of the automation device. A configured automation device can thus be expanded during the control of the automation device by means of slave modules. During a configuration phase, the number of the slave units (11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18) and a user data area for each slave unit can be configured. For each slave module of a slave unit, a portion of the user data area can be assigned. The user data area is prepared for a possible expansion of the slave unit by at least one slave module in that, in addition to the configured user data area of a respective slave unit required for the current control, a reserve user data area (11c, 11d, 13b, 13c, 13d, 16d, 18d) is configured for the at least one slave module.

Abstract: A method and an engineering system, which reduce the extent of configuration work with regard to a possible expansion of the automation device. A configured automation device can thus be expanded during the control of the automation device by means of slave modules. During a configuration phase, the number of the slave units (11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18) and a user data area for each slave unit can be configured. For each slave module of a slave unit, a portion of the user data area can be assigned. The user data area is prepared for a possible expansion of the slave unit by at least one slave module in that, in addition to the configured user data area of a respective slave unit required for the current control, a reserve user data area (11c, 11d, 13b, 13c, 13d, 16d, 18d) is configured for the at least one slave module.