Abstract:
A unit is disclosed for validating a communication network of an industrial automation and control system. The validation unit can include a planner module configured to store plan data defining a designed communication network of an industrial automation and control system, and a collector module configured to collect effective data defining a deployed communication network of the industrial automation and control system. A difference detector can detect differences between the designed communication network and the deployed communication network using the plan data and the effective data such that faults or errors in a deployed communication network of the industrial automation and control system can be efficiently detected.