1 Publication 1761-UM006A-EN-P - February 2001
Chapter
 1
Product Overview
This chapter gives an overview of the Ethernet Network Interface. The 
following topics are covered:
• Ethernet Connection
• Non-Ethernet Devices
• Hardware Features
• Operating Modes
• Device Compatibility
• Ethernet Networks
Ethernet Connection
The 1761-NET-ENI provides Ethernet/IP connectivity for all 
MicroLogix controllers and other DF1 full-duplex devices. The 
Ethernet Network Interface (ENI) allows you to easily connect a 
MicroLogix onto new or existing Ethernet networks and 
upload/download programs, communicate between controllers, and 
generate e-mail messages via SMTP (simple mail transport protocol).
Ethernet/IP is an industry standard open protocol which provides 
inter-device compatibility. You can exchange information with other 
Allen Bradley Ethernet controllers (SLC, PLC, and ControlLogix) in a 
peer-to-peer relationship, so you do not need any master-type device.
Non-Ethernet Devices
The ENI allows you to connect non-Ethernet Allen-Bradley 
programmable controllers to Ethernet networks. The ENI uses 
Ethernet/IP services to allow these controllers to intercommunicate via 
their native PCCC messaging. 
The ENI allows a non-Ethernet controller to initiate a message to 
another device over Ethernet. The message can be sent to its 
application master, or to a peer device. These communications are 
also referred to as “report on exception” messaging.
When the ENI is connected to a programmable controller, the 
controller can be used for data acquisition (or Supervisory Control and 
Data Acquisition, SCADA) functions. This SCADA ability allows the 
controller to function as a smart RTU over Ethernet.