Abstract: Automation device, computer program, computer-readable medium and method for automatically configuring an automation device, wherein a) an automation device is provided, b) a device management unit monitors whether an automation identifier is assigned to the automation device, c) upon identifying an assignment of this kind, the device management unit queries a central cluster management unit to determine whether a description object, in which the automation identifier assigned to the automation device is stored, already exists in a cluster state database belonging to the cluster containing description objects for nodes of the cluster, d) if no such description object yet exists, or if such a description object does exist but has been declared inactive, then the device management unit creates, in the cluster state database for a node identifier assigned to the automation device, a description object in which the automation identifier assigned to the automation device is stored.

Abstract: Method for determining device addresses in response to name resolution queries within a communication network, wherein communication devices each calculate a target value from the associated device name of the communication device in question by means of a predefined function, where the communication devices each determine a multicast address from at least part of the calculated target value and from a selected multicast address stem and receive multicast datagrams addressed to the determined multicast address, where a name resolution query is addressed in accordance with the determined multicast address in question, and where a communication device receiving the name resolution query responds to the name resolution query with the device address of the communication device if the device name of the communication device matches the selected device name.

Abstract: Simulation system and method for simulating processing of reservation enquiries for multicast data streams in communications networks, wherein communication devices which are to be simulated with regard to their behaviour are functionally divided into a communication control plane designated as a control plane and into a data transmission plane designated as a data plane, where simulation system components formed by software containers which are executable in a sequence control environment are case provided for functions of the communication devices associated with the control plane, network infrastructure devices are modelled on the data plane by resources provided via each of the network infrastructure devices, and where the software containers associated with the communication devices are selectively executed in the sequence control environment and coupled together there according to a predetermined topology.

Abstract: A system, computer program, computer-readable medium and method for providing a redundant relay, particularly routing function in a network, wherein a superordinate subnetwork is connected to a subordinate subnetwork via redundant relays, particularly routers, a maximum of one of the redundant relays is operated in an active mode at any one time, while the remaining relay(s) are in standby mode, each redundant relay forms a relay redundancy module for controlling the relay mode and a DHCPv6 client for processing a prefix delegation, particularly in accordance with RFC 3633, and the redundant relays each include a relay control module, to which the relay redundancy module of the particular relay signals the current relay mode, and the relay control module of the active relay synchronizes a virtual DUID of its DHCPv6 client and/or a prefix delegated to the active relay to the (or each) relay in standby mode.

Abstract: A system, in particular an automation system, a computer program, a computer-readable medium and method for automatically configuring the system, wherein when the system is activated and/or during operation of the system, monitoring which physical and/or virtual hardware network interfaces the system comprises is monitored, if a hardware network interface is detected for the first time when the system is activated, or a hardware network interface is newly added during operation of the system, this is communicated to an auto-configuration module of the system, the auto-configuration module creates a configuration description using a template file, and the configuration description is implemented to configure the system in accordance with said description.

Abstract: A method for providing topology information, use of a name service server, a device, a computer program, a computer-readable medium and a method for configuring a device to be named within an industrial network, wherein a) the device to be named receives a neighbouring name message from a neighbouring device, b) a self-naming module creates a topological neighbouring domain name based on the neighbouring name message, c) the self-naming module transmits the topological neighbouring domain name to a name service server, d) the self-naming module receives from the name service server a response message, which includes at least one device name of the device to be named belonging to the topological neighbouring domain name, and e) at least one device name from the response message is assigned to the device to be named and this name is stored as the device name by the self-naming module.

Abstract: Simulation system and method for simulating processing of reservation enquiries for multicast data streams in communications networks, wherein communication devices which are to be simulated with regard to their behaviour are functionally divided into a communication control plane designated as a control plane and into a data transmission plane designated as a data plane, where simulation system components formed by software containers which are executable in a sequence control environment are case provided for functions of the communication devices associated with the control plane, network infrastructure devices are modelled on the data plane by resources provided via each of the network infrastructure devices, and where the software containers associated with the communication devices are selectively executed in the sequence control environment and coupled together there according to a predetermined topology.

Abstract: A method for establishing a stream in a Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) network, wherein a request message is sent by a stream subscriber to a Domain Name System (DNS) server, upon which entries are stored that each comprise a stream identifier of a first type assigned to a stream, and a stream identifier of a second type that is different from the first type and is assigned to the respective stream, and the specification of a predefined type exclusively used for, or forms these types of entries, where the request message comprises a stream identifier of the first type and the predefined type known to the at least one stream subscriber, where the stream subscriber receives a response message from the DNS server, which contains a stream identifier of the second type belonging to the stream, and where the stream subscriber logs on to the stream using the stream identifier obtained.

Abstract: Method for determining device addresses in response to name resolution queries within a communication network, wherein communication devices each calculate a target value from the associated device name of the communication device in question by means of a predefined function, where the communication devices each determine a multicast address from at least part of the calculated target value and from a selected multicast address stem and receive multicast datagrams addressed to the determined multicast address, where a name resolution query is addressed in accordance with the determined multicast address in question, and where a communication device receiving the name resolution query responds to the name resolution query with the device address of the communication device if the device name of the communication device matches the selected device name.

Abstract: A method for automatic address configuration, router, computer program, computer-readable medium and method for automatically configuring a router that has an upstream interface, connected or connectable to a higher-level subnetwork and/or a higher-level router, and a downstream interface, connected or connectable to a lower-level subnetwork, wherein whether the router receives, on the upstream interface, messages providing notification of at least one domain as part of a DNS search list option, is monitored and, if the message is not received over a prescribed period, a DNS island mode is automatically activated in which the DNS zone of a local DNS server of the router is configured using a predefined island domain, and a transmission module of the router is prompted to send a message via the downstream interface, which message includes the preconfigured island domain as part of a DNS search list option, preferably an address of the downstream interface.

Abstract: The invention describes a transmission device having a (TCP/IP) protocol stack (S, S?), which is designed for the transmission of data (D) in a time-sensitive network (TSN). The transmission device comprises at least one TSN-compliant virtual Ethernet interface (2.2, 2.2?) and an associated TSN control unit (3.1, 3.1?). The at least one TSN-compliant virtual Ethernet interface (2.2, 2.2) is designed to send and/or receive a TSN-compliant data stream (2.1, 2.1) in a physical layer (1) of the TCP/IP protocol stack (S, S). The TSN-compliant data stream (2.1, 2.1?) can be configured and/or parameterised by means of the associated TSN control unit (3.1, 3.1?).

Abstract: A control method, device, computer program and a computer-readable medium and method for data communication in an industrial network, wherein a stream is created between at least two stream subscribers, where resources are reserved on at least one node point, particularly bridges and/or switches between the at least two stream subscribers, and subsequently data is transmitted between the at least two stream subscribers, via the stream, and at least one subscriber of the stream interrupts the emittance and/or reception of data via the stream and resources that are reserved on at least one node point for the at least one subscriber of the stream are released for use for a data transmission that is lower priority than the data transmission via the stream, and where the reservation of the resources being maintained for the at least one subscriber.

Abstract: Control component and method for registering device names assigned to industrial automation devices or communication devices in a name service system, wherein in order to register device names assigned to industrial automation devices or communication devices in a name service system, at least selected automation or communication devices each comprise a name service component where the selected automation or communication devices control transmission of a registration request containing an assignment between their respectively assigned device name and at least one respectively configured communication network address to a name service server via their name service component, and where a control component is respectively assigned to the name service components and enables or blocks transmission of a registration request.

Abstract: A computer network has ports connected to production machines (PM) and communicating with an assigned virtual user interface and a higher-ranking facility located outside the PM. Connection of an additional PM is monitored, in which case a commissioning service automatically assigns a virtual user interface to the additional PM, re-initializes an individual virtual computer network within the computer network and connects the additional PM to the virtual user interface via the re-initialized virtual computer network. Communication between the additional PM and the assigned virtual user interface is isolated from other communications until, a release command is specified. A then activated integration service automatically re-initializes a virtual router for connection to the additional PM via the virtual computer network and configures the re-initialized virtual router such that the additional PM communicates with the higher-ranking facility via the re-initialized virtual router.

Abstract: Control component and method for registering device names assigned to industrial automation devices or communication devices in a name service system, wherein in order to register device names assigned to industrial automation devices or communication devices in a name service system, at least selected automation or communication devices each comprise a name service component where the selected automation or communication devices control transmission of a registration request containing an assignment between their respectively assigned device name and at least one respectively configured communication network address to a name service server via their name service component, and where a control component is respectively assigned to the name service components and enables or blocks transmission of a registration request.

Abstract: A method for providing an expanded name service for an industrial automation system, wherein name-address assignments between device names and communication network addresses are registered in a name service system to provide an expanded name service for an industrial automation system, where device names registered in the name service system have a hierarchical structure represented by a tree structure, where assignments between device names and plant identification codes are additionally registered in the name service system, where the plant identification codes are registered within the same tree structure as the device names, and where end nodes that are respectively assigned to the plant identification codes in the tree structure comprise either a reference to end nodes which are respectively assigned to the device names or intermediate nodes for plant identification codes comprise a reference to intermediate nodes that are respectively assigned to plant units.

Abstract: A computer network has ports connected to production machines (PM) and communicating with an assigned virtual user interface and a higher-ranking facility located outside the PM. Connection of an additional PM is monitored, in which case a commissioning service automatically assigns a virtual user interface to the additional PM, re-initializes an individual virtual computer network within the computer network and connects the additional PM to the virtual user interface via the re-initialized virtual computer network. Communication between the additional PM and the assigned virtual user interface is isolated from other communications until, a release command is specified. A then activated integration service automatically re-initializes a virtual router for connection to the additional PM via the virtual computer network and configures the re-initialized virtual router such that the additional PM communicates with the higher-ranking facility via the re-initialized virtual router.

Abstract: A method for providing an expanded name service for an industrial automation system, wherein name-address assignments between device names and communication network addresses are registered in a name service system to provide an expanded name service for an industrial automation system, where device names registered in the name service system have a hierarchical structure represented by a tree structure, where assignments between device names and plant identification codes are additionally registered in the name service system, where the plant identification codes are registered within the same tree structure as the device names, and where end nodes that are respectively assigned to the plant identification codes in the tree structure comprise either a reference to end nodes which are respectively assigned to the device names or intermediate nodes for plant identification codes comprise a reference to intermediate nodes that are respectively assigned to plant units.