Distributor node, automation network and method for transmitting telegrams

An automation network comprising network segments which each have at least one subscriber configured as a fragmenting subscriber or as a standard subscriber, and at least one distribution node which has a plurality of input/output interfaces and a switching unit which is connected to the input/output interfaces, at least one input/output interface being connected to a network segment,

• data being exchanged between the subscribers in the form of telegrams configured to be transmitted in accordance with a fragmentation method in the form of telegram fragments, wherein both fragmenting subscribers which support the fragmentation method and the standard subscribers which do not support the fragmentation method are provided for,
• wherein the switching unit in the distribution node is configured to check whether a subscriber at the input/output interface to which a telegram is to be transmitted supports the fragmentation method, and whether the telegram to be sent is fragmented, and
• wherein the switching unit in the distribution node is configured, if the telegram to be sent is fragmented, to assemble the telegram fragments into the telegram and then to send the telegram to a standard subscriber that does not support the fragmentation method.

A method for transmitting telegrams in an automation network comprising network segments which each have at least one subscriber configured as a fragmenting subscriber or as a standard subscriber, and having at least one distribution node which has a plurality of input/output interfaces and a switching unit which is connected to the input/output interfaces, wherein at least one input/output interface is connected to a network segment,

• wherein data is exchanged between the subscribers in the form of telegrams, wherein the transmission of the telegrams is carried out according to a fragmentation method in the form of telegram fragments and wherein both fragmenting subscribers that support the fragmentation method and standard subscribers that do not support the fragmentation method are provided for,
• wherein the switching unit in the distribution node checks whether a subscriber having an input/output interface to which a telegram is to be sent supports the fragmentation method, and whether the telegram to be sent is fragmented, and if the telegram to be sent is fragmented, assembles the telegram fragments to form the telegram and then sends the telegram to a standard subscriber which does not support the fragmentation method.