Define data flow.

Definition includes

• understanding communication requirements between automation components
• using a tool (e.g., Wireshark) to confirm and understand actual communications across automated networks
• recognizing industrial protocols (e.g., Modbus, Common Industrial Protocol [CIP]).

Teacher Resources:

• How to Improve Process Control by Automating Data Flow, Automation Direct (https://library.automationdirect.com/improve-process-control-automating-data-flow/ Links to an external site.) 
• What is a Data Flow Diagram?, Visual Paradigm (https://www.visual-paradigm.com/tutorials/data-flow-diagram-dfd.jsp Links to an external site.) 

 

Process/Skill Questions:

• How do industrial protocols differ from traditional network protocols?
• What is the difference between unidirectional and bidirectional data flow?