There are a few other communication technologies that you may also encounter in a Rockwell Automation solution. Some are legacy networks, while others are solution-specific technologies:
- Data Highway Plus(DH+)
- Universal Remote I/O (RIO)
- Serial Real-time Communications System (SERCOS)
- SynchLink
- DF1
- DH-485
In the following sections, we will introduce each of the legacy network technologies listed here.
Data Highway Plus
DH+ was used by older controllers (such as PLC-2, PLC-3, PLC-5, and SLC 500) for networking. It was developed as a proprietary protocol in the late '70s by Allen-Bradley. There are Logix communication modules available that can connect to the DH+ networks and can save customers from having to rip out and replace their older DH+ networks. DH+ supported remote programming and messaging over the network.
Specifically...