Industrial Ethernet Network Topology Discovery Technology

In enterprise's information system, Ethernet TCP/IP network have already become the standard network. It is possible to extend Ethernet TCP /IP network to industrial real-time control network. And it will help users to obtain more open, integrated industrial automation solution. EtherNet/IP is the combination of standard TCP/ IP Ethernet and Control and Information Protocol (CIP). So its purpose is to realize the standard of industrial Ethernet technology.The network management system, based on the industrial Ethernet, is to maintain network running, and to make use of the various resources of network efficiently. Topology information of network is the foundation of other functions to be implemented in the network management system. Collecting topology information fast, accurately, and showing the network topology to the network administrator by way of various methods are important. Then, system disposing, analysis of performance, localization of fault and safety management can carry on. Therefore, network topology discovery is one of the important subjects for research in network management. This subject stems from the subject---- industrial enterprise of comprehensive information management based on the industrial Ethernet. This paper focuses on the industrial Ethernet management and topology discovery. Then it presents the topology discovery method.This paper consists of six chapters. The first chapter introduces the research background and the domestic and international research development of this subject. The second chapter introduced the structure of EtherNet/IP and the CIP (Control and Information Protocol). The third chpater focuses on the network management. It includes the SNMP management model, SMI and the function of industrial network management. The forth chapter introduces the relevant theories knowledge of topology discovery in detail. On the basis of the third chapter, it proposes the topology discovery method for the different layer. The fifth chapter talks about the architecture of industrial network mangement system and the main function of each module. The last chapter summarizes the whole work, and ponits out the later work.