The DeltaV Control Network is an isolated Ethernet local area network (LAN) that provides communication between DeltaV controllers and workstations. Ethernet twisted pair and fiber-optic cable and switches can be used in a DeltaV Control Network.
A DeltaV Control Network is dedicated to the DeltaV system; no other devices can be attached to a DeltaV Control Network. The DeltaV Control Network has been designed to be redundant for communications availability. It uses primary and secondary communication channels that are implemented with separate Ethernet NIC cards as well as separate Ethernet switches for each channel.
A plant LAN can be connected to the DeltaV system through the DeltaV ProfessionalPLUS and Application Station to provide a gateway between the DeltaV Control Network and other networks.
All Cat5(e) ScTP and fiber-optic cables used in a DeltaV Control Network should be made, installed, and tested by an experienced LAN installer.
Take care when designing your network to not have large amounts of network traffic running through the area control network across switches which are also used for control (for example, controllers and CIOCs). Failing to do so can result in the control integrity being compromised causing ACN switchovers and device dropouts.
Refer to the DeltaV S-series and CHARMs Hardware Reference manual for fiber-optic and Cat 5(E)ScTP cable guidelines, specifications for cable accessories, information on how to build plastic-enclosed and metal-enclosed connectors and straight-through and crossover cable. This manual also shows example control networks with S-series and CHARMs hardware.