In industrial control systems (ICS), the Communication and Information Protocol (CIP) refers to the Common Industrial Protocol, which is a set of network protocols used for industrial automation applications. CIP encompasses a suite of protocols developed and maintained by ODVA (Open DeviceNet Vendor Association), including:
- DeviceNet: Used for connecting industrial devices in a low-cost network.
- ControlNet: Designed for real-time control applications requiring deterministic communication.
- EtherNet/IP: Utilizes standard Ethernet communication for real-time I/O, motion control, and other automation tasks.
These protocols are widely used in various industries to facilitate communication between different devices and systems within industrial automation environments.