Ann Arbor, Michigan U.S.A. and Magdeburg, Germany E.U., -December 15th, 2004 - With user demand for EtherNet/IP rapidly increasing, ODVA and the Center Verteilte Systeme at the Institute of Ergonomics (CVS@IAF), Manufacturing Systems and Automation of Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Germany, announce the first European facility for EtherNet/IP product conformance testing.
At the beginning of October, CVS@IAF was officially authorized by ODVA as a Test Service Provider for EtherNet/IP™ conformance testing. ODVA currently manages the specifications and oversees conformance testing for DeviceNet™ and EtherNet/IP, with this testing crucial in providing general industry with the vendor-independent assurance that products which are brought to market fully comply with the ODVA specifications. ODVA's authorized Test Service Providers (TSPs) conduct conformance tests to defined standards, and EtherNet/IP products that pass the tests receive an official Declaration of Conformity from ODVA and earn the right to use ODVA's EtherNet/IP CONFORMANCE TESTED™ certification and logo.
ODVA, Europe Chairman Paul Brooks comments: "Increasing user demand for EtherNet/IP connected products and systems has resulted in a significant increase in the number of vendors migrating their equipment to EtherNet/IP. I am delighted that ODVA is opening a European test facility and expanding global access to its conformance test services. This will give users the assurance of device interoperability that they need for today’s automation systems, and will reinforce EtherNet/IP's status as the class leading Industrial Ethernet solution." Heading up the EtherNet/IP testing activities at CVS @IAF is Ralf Messerschmidt. “CVS @IAF is very proud of its appointment as the first European TSP for EtherNet/IP, and of the high confidence that ODVA has placed in the Institute.
With our expertise in EtherNet/IP and our record of activities in this area – such as the successful implementation of a complete EtherNet/IP stack in Java and C++ – this official endorsement of EtherNet/IP Test Service Provider is a welcome recognition of our work at the cutting edge of communications technologies.”ODVA Executive Director Katherine Voss adds: “ODVA has a ten year history of commitment to providing industry with open, interoperable networks. EtherNet/IP, and conformance testing of EtherNet/IP products, are cornerstones of this commitment. We selected CVS @IAF as our first European Test Service Provider because of its leading position in Ethernet communications."
About EtherNet/IP
EtherNet/IP extends commercial off-the-shelf Ethernet to the Common Industrial Protocol (CIP™) — the same upper-layer protocol and object model found in DeviceNet. CIP allows EtherNet/IP and DeviceNet™ product developers, system integrators and users to apply the same objects and profiles for plug-and-play interoperability among devices from multiple vendors and in multiple sub-nets. Combined, DeviceNet and EtherNet/IP promote transparency from sensors to the enterprise software.
About CVS@IAF
The Center Verteilte Systeme (CVS@IAF) is a working group within the Institute of Ergonomics, Manufacturing Systems and Automation (IAF) at the University of Magdeburg. The group’s main competence is the development of distributed control systems based on distributed intelligence, advanced communication technology, complex security technologies and real-time systems. In this context one of the most important fields of interest is industrial Ethernet - for investigation and demonstration purposes the group implemented their own ModbusTCP and EtherNet/IP stacks. CVS @IAF furthermore heads the business office of the Industrial Automation Open Networking Alliance (IAONA), one of the world’s leading associations in industrial Ethernet technology.
For more information please visit www.uni-magdeburg.de/iaf/cvs .
About ODVA
ODVA is an international association comprised of members from the world’s leading automation companies. Collectively, ODVA and its members support network technologies based on the Common Industrial Protocol (CIP™). These currently include DeviceNet, EtherNet/IP, CIP Safety™ and CIP Sync™. ODVA manages the development of these open technologies, and assists manufacturers and users of CIP-based networks through tools, training and promotional activities. In addition, ODVA offers conformance testing to help ensure that products built to its specifications operate in multi-vendor systems.
ODVA also is active in other standards development organizations and industry consortia to drive the growth of open communication standards. For more information, visit its web site at www.odva.org .For more information, contact:Katherine VossExecutive DirectorODVA 1099 Highland Drive, Suite AAnn Arbor, MI 48104-5002 USAtel +1 734 975 8840fax +1 734 922 0027
