Rockwell Automation and Cisco collaborated to develop Converged Plantwide Ethernet (CPwE) Architectures. These industrial-focused reference architectures provide users with the foundation to successfully deploy the latest technologies. The design and implementation guides include plant-wide focused, tested, validated, and documented reference architectures. Comprised of Rockwell Automation and Cisco expertise, the documents provide a foundation to help reduce risk and successfully deploy the latest technologies optimized for both OT and IT engineers.
Industrial Networks Design Guides
Proven Architectures with Design and Implementation Guidance
Industrial CPwE Whitepapers
Read about the latest network and security technologies in our industrial whitepapers.
Security Visibility for the Converged Plantwide Ethernet Architecture
October, 2023
This solution replaces the Visibility recommendations in the Network Security CVD which outlines security visibility achieved via a combination on Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) and FactoryTalk? Network Manager? (FTNM). In that solution, FTNM collected information about connected Industrial Automation and Control System (IACS) devices and passed that into ISE, which is a limited form of visibility. This version provides visibility of the industrial assets, their communication flows and what is contained in those flows, representing a more comprehensive security visibility.?
Deploying PRP within a CPwE Architecture
August 25, 2022
See our use cases for designing and deploying Parallel Redundancy Protocol (PRP) technology with redundant network infrastructure across plant-wide or site-wide IACS applications.
Securely Traversing IACS Data across the IDMZ Using Cisco Firepower Threat Defense
March 7, 2022
Guidelines to help with the successful design and deployment of an Industrial Demilitarized Zone within Industrial Automation and Control System (IACS) architectures.
Device Level Ring within a CPwE
November 10, 2020
See our use cases for designing and deploying DLR technology across OEM and plant-wide IACS applications.
Deploying a Resilient CPwE Architecture
September 1, 2020
Best practices and implementation considerations to help with successfully designing and deploying a holistic resilient plant-wide network architecture.
Physical Infrastructure within a CPwE Architecture
August 1, 2020
See our use cases for designing and deploying a robust physical infrastructure for plant-wide or sitewide IACS applications.
Deploy CIP Security within a CPwE ArchitectureMay 20, 2020
See our IEC 62443 based security architecture use cases for designing and deploying CIP Security? technology across plant-wide or site-wide IACS applications.
Secure Cloud Connectivity to a CPwE Architecture
January 5, 2020
Application guide for security use cases to design and deploy end-to-end connectivity with FactoryTalk? software from the machine, to the enterprise, to the cloud within a CPwE architecture.
Scalable Time Distribution in a CPwE Architecture
May 8, 2019
See our use cases for designing and deploying IEEE 1588 PTP and CIP Sync technology throughout a plant-wide network infrastructure.
Deploy Network Security in a CPwE Architecture
January 15, 2019
Outlines several network security use cases for plant-wide Industrial Automation and Control System (IACS) network infrastructure.
Deploy an IDC in a CPwE Architecture
May 1, 2018
See use cases to design and deploy an IDC within plant-wide industrial automation and control system (IACS) applications.
Deploy Identity and Mobility Services
February 1, 2018
Guidelines for protecting IACS assets through deploying a centrally manageable defense-in-depth security approach that addresses internal security threats.
Lightly Managed Industrial Switch Deployment
October 1, 2017
Guidance to design and deploy Stratix? 2500 lightly managed ethernet switches within OEM applications and CPwE architectures.
Deploy a Fiber Optic Physical Infrastructure
June 1, 2017
This application guide provides direction for the fiber optic cabling used in a Converged Plant-wide Ethernet architecture. Tested and validated by Cisco, Panduit, and Rockwell Automation.
Deploy Firewalls Within a CPwE Architecture
December 31, 2016
Read about use cases for designing, deploying, and managing industrial firewalls throughout a plant-wide IACS network infrastructure.
Site-to-Site VPN to a Ethernet Architecture
March 28, 2016
Outlines the concepts, requirements, technology and design considerations for connecting remote industrial automation and control system (IACS) assets to a plant-wide network architecture.
Migrating Legacy IACS Networks
January 19, 2016
Outlines requirements and solutions for specific applications of migrating a traditional Industrial Automation and Control System (IACS) network architecture to standard Ethernet and IP.
Deploying Network Address Translation (NAT)
May 29, 2015
Guidelines for deploying Network Address Translation (NAT) technology enabling the reuse of IP addresses, while allowing those IACS applications to integrate into the larger architecture.
Deploying 802.11 Wireless LAN Technology
September 30, 2014
The CPwE-WLAN design and implementation guide builds on the existing CPwE architecture by introducing 802.11 Wireless LAN network capabilities, with emphasis on equipment connectivity.
Converged Plantwide Ethernet (CPwE) Design
September 30, 2011
Converged Plantwide Ethernet (CPwE) Design and Implementation Guide.
Guidance for Selecting Cables for EtherNet/IP
January 30, 2009
Designed to help the user select cabling based on the application, environmental conditions, and mechanical requirements.