The Ethernet port multiplier is a central infrastructure device for extensive automation technology installations. It extends the controller's 1 Gbit port to multiple 100 Mbit Ethernet ports, which can then pass normal Ethernet or EtherCAT frames through.

Typical conditions that require the use of the Ethernet port multiplier are:

• use of EtherCAT cable redundancy in conjunction with distributed clocks
• EtherCAT systems with a large number of devices and/or a data throughput of > 100 Mbit/s
• a need for additional Ethernet ports on the Industrial PC controller