EtherNet/IP vs Legacy Industrial Protocols

Developers should learn EtherNet/IP when working on industrial automation, IoT in manufacturing, or SCADA systems, as it provides interoperability across diverse industrial devices from different vendors meets developers should learn legacy industrial protocols when working with brownfield industrial systems, retrofitting old equipment, or maintaining critical infrastructure where upgrading is costly or impractical. Here's our take.

EtherNet/IP

Nice Pick

Developers should learn EtherNet/IP when working on industrial automation, IoT in manufacturing, or SCADA systems, as it provides interoperability across diverse industrial devices from different vendors

Pros

• It is essential for implementing real-time control networks in factories, enabling predictive maintenance, and integrating operational technology with IT infrastructure for Industry 4
• Related to: common-industrial-protocol, opc-ua

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

Legacy Industrial Protocols

Developers should learn legacy industrial protocols when working with brownfield industrial systems, retrofitting old equipment, or maintaining critical infrastructure where upgrading is costly or impractical

Pros

• They are essential for industrial IoT projects that integrate legacy devices into modern networks, ensuring compatibility and data acquisition from existing machinery in sectors like manufacturing, utilities, and oil and gas
• Related to: modbus, profibus

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

These tools serve different purposes. EtherNet/IP is a protocol while Legacy Industrial Protocols is a concept. We picked EtherNet/IP based on overall popularity, but your choice depends on what you're building.

The Bottom Line

EtherNet/IP wins

Based on overall popularity. EtherNet/IP is more widely used, but Legacy Industrial Protocols excels in its own space.