# Industrial Networks

An industrial network is a network using DF1, DH485, Modbus, ModbusTCP, EtherNet/IP, or some other industrial protocol. The RTU uses industrial networks to gather and monitor information about the occurrence of violation conditions.

Your Catalyst RTU has the capability to support industrial networks. Applications arise where the I/O points are connected to some other device, such as a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC). Sometimes the points to monitor exist only in the registers or data table of such devices. It is inconvenient, expensive, or impossible to duplicate these points by wiring them into an RTU. The ideal solution would have an industrial network that allows PLCs and other devices to share their data.

Fortunately, most PLC manufacturers do support and encourage such networking with their products. One of the powerful and unique features of the Catalyst RTU is its extensive support and compatibility with industrial protocols.

The Catalyst and Alarmware™ allow convenient, inexpensive, bi-directional communication with your PLC networks via dial-up phone lines.

This allows you to:

- Call-in and check the status of any channel
- Modify alarm conditions and set points
- Alter process variables and monitor values
- Be called and receive clear voice message reports of alarm situations

The Catalyst RTU may be easily integrated into an existing process. Points or data in any device anywhere on the network may be monitored. A single serial communications cable connection is all that is required. The RTU automatically requests the information it needs from the other nodes. These can be any devices that support the protocol, including PLCs, DCS, SCADA systems, or intelligent IO modules. No additional equipment or ladder logic reprogramming is necessary.

The RTU includes three additional features that are specific to networked applications:

1. The ability to monitor the health of the network itself and trip alarms when communications break down.
2. The ability to support simultaneous and distinct network connections.
3. The ability to transfer data between any of these networks and automatically providing all necessary protocol conversions.

See Also

Net Addresses