Allen-Bradley SLC 500 controllers from Rockwell Automation, Milwaukee, (rockwell.com) have been updated for improved messaging performance over CIP-based networks and higher levels of security in control system programming. The improved controllers can be used with Allen-Bradleys' SLC 5/03, 5.04, 5/05 with series C, version FRN-10 firmware to increase operational flexibility, improve controller security, and simplify programming and configuration.

New instructions allow initiating Common Industrial Protocol (CIP) commands in devices, such as drives, that communicate on Ethernet I/P, ControlNet, and DeviceNet networks. SLC 5/05 features a message capability on an EtherNet/IP network that is implemented through the processors' Channel One Ethernet port. It allows initiating generic CIP commands to EtherNet/IP devices.

The processor's firmware release uses Rockwell Software RSAssetSecurity, which the RSLogix 500 uses to guard a processor for security against unauthorized access. Once secured, only users authorized by RSAssetSecurity can upload or download to this processor.

Additionally, a new Read Program Checksum instruction evaluates the checksum ID of a processor's ladder program and determines whether online edits have changed the program or verifies the memory modules' program matches its Random Access Memory. The Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) provides flexible IP address assignment for the SLC 5/05 processor Channel One Ethernet port in addition to the Bootstrap Protocol (BOOTP).