Circuit and timer for memory

An apparatus, comprising:

• a network switch to enable communication in an industrial automation control system;
• a memory to store data ingressing from, or egressing to, the network switch;
• a timer to generate a timing signal responsive to a user-configurable time interval;
• and
• a circuit to move the data to, or from, the memory at least partially responsive to the timing signal generated by the timer.

A system, comprising:

• a component of an industrial automation control system, the component comprising one or more of a controller, a motor-drive, and a sensor, the component in communication with further components of the industrial automation control system via a network switch;
• a memory arranged to store data ingressing to the component from the network switch or data egressing from the component to the network switch;
• a timer to generate a timing signal responsive to a user-configurable time interval;
• and
• a circuit to move the data to, or from, the memory at least partially responsive to the timing signal generated by the timer.

A method comprising:

• receiving a data packet at a network-facing interface;
• writing data of the data packet into a memory;
• receiving a timing signal;
• and
• responsive to the timing signal, providing the data from the memory at a device-facing interface.

A method comprising:

• receiving data at a device-facing interface;
• writing the data to a memory;
• receiving a timing signal;
• and
• responsive to the timing signal, providing a data packet including the data at a network-facing interface.