Ethernet to the Factory Solution

Greater Control and Flexibility on the Factory Floor

As a complete end-to-end solution, Cisco Ethernet to the Factory provides increased efficiency, highly secure real-time visibility, and integration of automation systems with business applications. This allows manufacturers to make strategic business decisions that are backed up by real-time information from the plant floor, and increase overall operational efficiency through the use of standard network technologies and increased access to production systems. The solution incorporates Cisco's industry-leading network-based security solutions to protect critical manufacturing systems while allowing secure access for authorized personnel, regardless of location.

Solution Descriptions

Ethernet-to-the-Factory 1.1 Design and Implementation Guide

This collaborative development guide from Cisco and Rockwell Automation presents best practices for implementing standard networking technologies with the industrial automation and control environment.

> Download Guide

Factory Architecture Animation

Review an interactive demonstration of the Ethernet to the Factory architecture to understand the business and technical benefits of integrated network architecture designed specifically for factory environments.

> View Demonstration (EXE - 1.65 MB)

Better, More Secure Communications for Rugged Environments

Cisco Industrial Ethernet 3000 Series Switches deliver high security, performance, and advanced features optimized for deployment in harsh environments.

> Learn More

Solution Overview

Learn how this solution provides manufacturers the flexibility to change orders or specifications on request, without compromising existing production processes.

> Learn More (PDF - 566 KB)

Find out how Cisco and WiredCity, an OSIsoft company, has teamed to provide manufacturing process control solutions. Read the WiredCity an OSIsoft company partner brief.

> Read now (PDF -86.9 KB)

Rockwell's automation and control systems combined with Cisco networking products and services deliver the expertise and solutions for enabling secure, smooth connectivity from the plant floor to the enterprise network.

> Read the Rockwell Automation partner brief (PDF - 757 KB).

Honeywell process solutions and Cisco networking products and services help transform manufacturing processes into a strategic business asset.

> Find out more in the Honeywell partner brief. (PDF - 64.1 KB)

White Papers

• Understand best practices and solutions for securing industrial automation and control systems using the Ethernet to the Factory solution by reading this white paper (PDF - 828 KB).
• Industrial Ethernet for Control Engineers: Understand Ethernet technology and its benefits in the data networking environment in "Industrial Ethernet: A Control Engineer's Guide White Paper."
  > Read White Paper (PDF - 617 KB)
• The Importance of Reference Architecture in Manufacturing Networks
  Joint Cisco/Rockwell Automation paper presented at ODVA September 2007
  > Lean More (PDF - 198 KB)

Discover the Benefits

• Learn how Festo's network, based on Cisco's Ethernet to the Factory solution, has increased productivity.
  > Read Case Study (PDF - 1.72 MB)
• AMD Enhances Business Performance with Cisco Intelligent Networked Manufacturing Solutions.
  > Read Customer Success Story
• Network Security on the Plant Floor: Solution expert Mark Wylie writes about "Industrial Strength Is Not the Same as Industrial Security" in this Industrial Ethernet Book article.
  > Read the Article
• Industrial Ethernet Book Article: Scaleability: the future-proof key to manufacturing network design.
  > Read the Article

Work with Your Cisco Representative

To learn more about the Cisco Ethernet to the Factory solution, locate a Cisco representative near you.