A relay interface module that is commutatively connectable to at least one I/O device and a controller, wherein the relay interface module is configured to provide data from the I/O device to at least one controller in a distributed control system (DCS) via a communication interface. An application related to a particular I/O device may then be executed freely on any controller present in a DCS without losing real time connection with the associated I/O device. Data can be transferred from an I/O device to an associated application executed on a controller such that the real time connection between the I/O device and the application being executed is maintained.

A monitoring system for monitoring equipment has first data processing means for executing a primary, critical task and second data processing means for executing a secondary, non-critical task. The second data processing means receives its power supply from the first data processing means via protective circuitry so as to prevent electrical failures in the second data processing means from affecting operation of the first data processing means.