Two-mode foundation fieldbus device configurator

A configuration device for use configuring a Foundation Fieldbus segment having one or more Fieldbus devices communicatively connected thereto, comprising:

• a processor;
• a memory;
• a set of routines stored in the memory and adapted to be executed on the processor to perform device configuration changes to Fieldbus devices;
• a communication stack adapted to communicate on the Fieldbus segment;
• a configuration routine stored in the memory and adapted to be executed on the processor to initiate any of the set of routines to configure a Fieldbus device using the communication stack;
• and
• a communication routine stored in the memory and adapted to be executed on the processor to establish a communication relationship with the Fieldbus device without interrupting an established communication relationship between the Fieldbus device and another device attached to the Fieldbus segment.

A configuration system for use in a device having a processor which configures a Foundation Fieldbus segment, comprising:

• a memory;
• a first set of routines stored in the memory and adapted to be executed on the processor to perform network configuration changes;
• a second set of routines stored in the memory and adapted to be executed on the processor to perform device configuration changes without making network configuration changes;
• a mode setting which may be set to a first mode or to a second mode;
• and
• a configuration routine stored in the memory and adapted to be executed on the processor to initiate any of the first set of routines or the second set of routines when the mode setting is the first mode to thereby configure the network and adapted to initiate any of the second set of routines but not any of the first set of routines when the mode setting is the second mode.