User Manual User Manual

1 Publication DNET-UM003A-EN-P - August 2000
Chapter 1
Before You Begin
What This Chapter Contains
This chapter describes what you must know and do before you begin
to use your Starter Kit. The following table describes what this chapter
contains and where to find specific information.
What is DeviceNet?
DeviceNet is a low-end, open network that provides connections
between simple, primarily discrete industrial devices and controllers.
The connections can exist without the need of intervening I/O
modules or blocks.
The DeviceNet network provides an alternative way for control
engineers to connect simple devices to their control systems. The
DeviceNet network:
• supports devices that are becoming more intelligent
• facilitates increasingly precise troubleshooting that reduces
down-time, for example, a communication fault can be traced to
a single device rather than to the rack or block level as with an
I/O network
• reduces installation and startup costs and time
(compared to traditional I/O wiring, especially when devices are
spread over long distances)
For information about: See page:
DeviceNet 1-1
the hardware and software you need for your Starter Kit 1-3
what you need to know and do before you use your Starter Kit 1-6
the Starter Kit components 1-6
the set-up of your Starter Kit 1-2
Rockwell Automation support 1-10
related publications 1-11