Control device and method for controlling a redundant connection in a flat network

Abstract

A control device having an integrated switch and being configured to logically enable and disable an Ethernet port of the integrated switch. Further disclosed is a device network consisting of at least two field devices, a primary control device and a primary switch, a secondary control device and a secondary switch, which are connected in a daisy chain loop topology. And wherein the secondary control device is configured to logically enable and disable an Ethernet port of the secondary switch. Further disclosed is a flat network consisting of such a device network. Further disclosed is a method for controlling a redundant connection in a flat network, consisting of detecting failure of the primary control device, initiating failover, enabling the Ethernet port of the secondary switch, and disabling the Ethernet port of the primary switch.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.