Rockwell Automation has introduced a relatively inexpensive device to
connect ControlNet and DeviceNet networks, which avoids having to add
costly hardware and the controller level. The Allen-Bradley linking
device (1788-CN2DN) can be installed at any convenient location to share
data between ControlNet networked systems such as PCs, PLCs and DCSs and
plant level devices, interconnected via. DeviceNet. The architecture
allows an operator at a human-machine interface terminal on ControlNet to
configure a DeviceNet sensor directly from that terminal, as well as
allowing ControlNet linked systems to control all DeviceNet networked
items in real time.