Configuration of modules in automation systems

An automation system, comprising:

• at least a first module;
• and
• at least a second module, wherein the first and the second modules are related to each other in a hierarchical structure, and wherein the first module has at least one hierarchically downward-directed interface, and wherein the second module comprises:
• at least one hierarchically upward-directed interface;
• at least one description file containing information relating to the second module;
• and
• at least one device driver which enables the first module or a hierarchically peer-ranking or higher-ranking module to the first module to access the second module, wherein the hierarchically downward-directed interface of the first module can be linked to the hierarchically upward-directed interface of the second module in such a way that the device driver and the description file of the second module can be accessed by the first module or a hierarchically peer-ranking or higher-ranking module to the first module and a configuration of the second module by the first module or a hierarchically peer-ranking or higher-ranking module to the first module is provided.

A method for configuring an automation system having at least a first and at least a second module, wherein the two modules are related to each other in a hierarchical structure and the first module has at least one hierarchically downward-directed interface and the second module has

• at least one hierarchically upward-directed interface,
• at least one description file containing information relating to the second module, and
• at least one device driver which enables the second module to be accessed by the first module or a hierarchically peer-ranking or higher-ranking module to the first module, the method comprising:
• linking the hierarchically downward-directed interface of the first module to the hierarchically upward-directed interface of the second module in such a way that the device driver and the description file of the second module are accessed by the first module or a hierarchically peer-ranking or higher-ranking module to the first module and that the second module is configured by the first module or a hierarchically peer-ranking or higher-ranking module to the first module.