A control device includes a program execution module, a communication unit, and a collection module connected to the communication unit. The program execution module generates control instructions for a control target in accordance with a user program that is freely created. The communication unit transmits and/or receives communication data to and/or from an external device through a network. The collection module collects data satisfying a filtering condition from among the communication data that is transferred on the network. The collection module changes the filtering condition in accordance with an instruction included in the user program.

A control device includes a program execution module, a communication unit, and a collection module connected to the communication unit. The program execution module generates control instructions for a control target in accordance with a user program that is freely created. The communication unit transmits and/or receives communication data to and/or from an external device through a network. The collection module collects data satisfying a filtering condition from among the communication data that is transferred on the network. The collection module changes the filtering condition in accordance with an instruction included in the user program.