Can I connect EtherCAT device to existing Ethernet device ports?

The EtherCAT technology is not only Ethernet-compatible, but it has an open design, tolerating other Ethernet-based protocols and services on the same physical network with a minimal performance loss.

There is no restriction when it comes down to the type of Ethernet devices that can connect within an EtherCAT strand via a switch port. Also, devices with Fieldbus interfaces can be integrated via EtherCAT Fieldbus master terminals.

There is a possibility for EtherCAT devices to use an additional TCP/IP stack and therefore act like a normal Ethernet device, where the master presents as a switch that transfers the data frames to the devices.

On the other hand, the switch port terminal can work accordingly that any Ethernet device can be connected. The Ethernet frames will be tunneled with the EtherCAT protocol which is usual for any Internet security protocols like VPN, PPPoE and etc.

The EtherCAT network acts fully transparent for the Ethernet device without impairing the real-time characteristics.