The invention relates to a communication system for automation and process engineering, having a controller (2) as a data receiver and a sensor (3) as a data source, which use a communication line to exchange digital data as voltage signals based on the IO-Link standard. In order to allow the user to be able to access the data of a sensor that is in the communication system in a simple manner, the communication line is divided into two line sections, and a Y selector switch unit (10) is used at the junction, wherein the Y selector switch unit (10) is provided with a first connection (10a) on the sensor side and with a second and a third connection (10b, 10c) on the controller side, wherein the second connection (10b) has the controller (2) connected to it and the third connection (10c) has a further data receiver (4) connected to it, and wherein the Y selector switch unit (10) comprises a microcontroller (11) in which the sensor (3) is simulated by means of software so that the further data receiver (4) can query data of the sensor (3) without having to directly access or engage with the sensor (3) or the communication thereof with the controller (2).

A device receives an analog voltage signal over a single physical electrical connection. The analog voltage signal can be converted into a digital value which can then be correlated to (i) an indication of a connection state of the primary device, and (ii) information about another device (or set of devices) which is connected to the device.

The invention relates to a device for control/command of a plurality of man-machine dialogue facilities which are linked in series in such a way as to form a network. This device comprises a wire interconnection block linked by a point-to-point link to each dialogue facility via a network of twisted cables.

The invention relates to a communication system for automation and process engineering, having a controller (2) as a data receiver and a sensor (3) as a data source, which use a communication line to exchange digital data as voltage signals based on the IO-Link standard. In order to allow the user to be able to access the data of a sensor that is in the communication system in a simple manner, the communication line is divided into two line sections, and a Y selector switch unit (10) is used at the junction, wherein the Y selector switch unit (10) is provided with a first connection (10a) on the sensor side and with a second and a third connection (10b, 10c) on the controller side, wherein the second connection (10b) has the controller (2) connected to it and the third connection (10c) has a further data receiver (4) connected to it, and wherein the Y selector switch unit (10) comprises a microcontroller (11) in which the sensor (3) is simulated by means of software so that the further data receiver (4) can query data of the sensor (3) without having to directly access or engage with the sensor (3) or the communication thereof with the controller (2).

Systems and methods of managing a modular network element as a single entity and the modular network element includes a plurality of line modules and zero or more switch modules in a chassis. The plurality of line modules are located separate from the chassis and connected to the chassis and/or to one another via cabling. The method includes operating a management plane between the plurality of line modules and the zero or more switch modules via one or more dedicated links in the cabling; managing the plurality of line modules and the zero or more switch modules as a single network element utilizing a chassis management protocol over the management plane; and designating one of a controller in the chassis and a processor in one of the plurality of line modules operating as a virtual controller as primary for the chassis management protocol.

In one embodiment, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a latching component configured to secure a network component within a chassis of a network device when the apparatus is in a first configuration. The latching component is also configured to allow removal of the network component from the chassis of the network device when the apparatus is in a second configuration. The apparatus also includes a handle component coupled to the latching component. The handle component is accessible from a first face of the network component. The handle component is oriented away from the first face. The handle component is configured to facilitate the removal of the network component from the chassis when the apparatus is in the first configuration. The handle component is also configured to facilitate the insertion of the network component into the chassis when the apparatus is in the second configuration.

A device receives an analog voltage signal over a single physical electrical connection. The analog voltage signal can be converted into a digital value which can then be correlated to (i) an indication of a connection state of the primary device, and (ii) information about another device (or set of devices) which is connected to the device.

In one embodiment, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a latching component configured to secure a network component within a chassis of a network device when the apparatus is in a first configuration. The latching component is also configured to allow removal of the network component from the chassis of the network device when the apparatus is in a second configuration. The apparatus also includes a handle component coupled to the latching component. The handle component is accessible from a first face of the network component. The handle component is oriented away from the first face. The handle component is configured to facilitate the removal of the network component from the chassis when the apparatus is in the first configuration. The handle component is also configured to facilitate the insertion of the network component into the chassis when the apparatus is in the second configuration.

A cable junction device including a housing having a bottom wall, a first forward-facing wall defining a first acute angle relative to the bottom wall, and a second forward-facing wall defining a second acute angle relative to the bottom wall. A single printed circuit board defines a third acute angle relative to the bottom wall. At least one first port extends from the first forward-facing wall toward an exterior of the housing. At least one second port extends from the second forward-facing wall toward the exterior of the housing. The at least one first port and the at least one second port each include a conductive pin configured to be directly electrically connected to the single printed circuit board.

Frame injection apparatus for injecting frames from a host device into a switched Ethernet network comprises a frame memory operable to receive and store one host frame at a time and to inject the frame onto the Ethernet switched network between network frames and to buffer network frames received during the time that the host frame is being injected onto the network.