EtherNet/IP
An industrial communication protocol based on standard Ethernet and the CIP model, used for real-time control and data exchange in automation environments.
What is EtherNet/IP?
EtherNet/IP (Ethernet Industrial Protocol) is an industrial communication protocol developed by ODVA (Open DeviceNet Vendors Association). It uses standard Ethernet and the TCP/IP stack to transmit control and informational data in industrial automation environments. The “IP” in the name stands for Industrial Protocol, not Internet Protocol.
The protocol is based on the CIP (Common Industrial Protocol) model, shared with DeviceNet and ControlNet. This enables devices from different manufacturers to exchange data without additional protocol gateways. EtherNet/IP supports both cyclic communication (implicit messaging) for real-time process data and acyclic communication (explicit messaging) for configuration and diagnostics.
EtherNet/IP is the dominant industrial protocol in North America and is widely used by manufacturers such as Rockwell Automation (Allen-Bradley). It is deployed in automotive, food and beverage, logistics and discrete manufacturing.
Why does it matter?
EtherNet/IP operates on standard Ethernet using TCP port 44818 and UDP port 2222, making it vulnerable to the same network attacks as any other IP traffic. Tools such as Wireshark can decode EtherNet/IP frames, enabling both diagnostics and attacker reconnaissance. Protecting EtherNet/IP networks requires segmentation, deep packet inspection (DPI) and access control in line with the IEC 62443 zones and conduits model.
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