Abstract: A device for planning a production unit with a production building and a manufacturing facility, wherein the manufacturing facility has machines with equipment for automation systems integrated at least partially in a communication network, wherein the device has a product data management system, in which data relating to the product to be manufactured and further manufacture-related data is stored in a database and with planning tools that are called up from a planning platform which allow at least partially virtual mapping of the product, the production building and the manufacturing facility by accessing the database, a network planning tool for the communication network being integrated in the planning platform, data characterizing the communication network being available based upon the product data management system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method, which reduce the outlay required when searching for a suitable network configuration, in particular in the field of automation. The device for the automatic planning of a network configuration, in particular for an automation system, comprises at least one partition module to break down at least one described network planning problem into sub-problems, at least one production module to generate at least one solution to each of the sub-problems of the at least one network planning problem based on predefinable rules and at least one validation module to verify the generated solutions to the sub-problems. The purpose of the device and the method according to the invention for automatic network planning is to support the planning process for network structures for major systems, in particular for systems with more than 1000 users, by supplying suitable methods and tools.

Abstract: A network system and method thereof is provided in which messages conforming to different protocols can be transmitted via an Ethernet enabled system. Appropriate sequences of data packets conforming to a protocol other than Ethernet are provided in Ethernet frames and the appropriate information necessary for proper packet handling is extracted form the Ethernet frame header.

Abstract: A network system and method thereof is provided in which messages conforming to different protocols can be transmitted via an Ethernet enabled system. Appropriate sequences of data packets conforming to a protocol other than Ethernet are provided in Ethernet frames and the appropriate information necessary for proper packet handling is extracted form the Ethernet frame header.