Connected Industry

In an increasingly digital and interconnected world, the integration between automation systems and information technology has become a vital competitive advantage. This book offers a comprehensive and accessible examination of industrial networks, ranging from fundamental concepts to real-world protocols and architectures employed in modern automation. Structured in a didactic and progressive manner, the content covers the historical evolution of industrial networks, the relevance of IT/OT convergence, layered communication models such as the OSI model, and key aspects of network topologies, transmission modes, and physical media commonly found in industrial environments. Core concepts, such as deterministic communication, real-time requirements, error control, and the structure of the data link and application layers, are clearly explained. The book features dedicated chapters on widely adopted industrial protocols, highlighting the main characteristics, advantages, limitations, and typical use cases. The book provides readers with knowledge to navigate the complexity of modern industrial connectivity-an essential pillar for Industry 4.0 and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). This book is ideal for engineering students, automation professionals, and anyone seeking to understand and implement industrial networks, whether in educational settings or as a practical reference for field applications.