A control system includes an Internet web interface to a network of at
least one programmable logic control system running an application
program for controlling output devices in response to status of input
devices. The Web interface runs Web pages from an Ethernet board coupled
directly to the PLC back plane and includes an HTTP protocol interpreter,
a PLC back-plane driver, a TCP/IP stack, and an Ethernet board kernel.
The Web interface provides access to the PLC back plane by a user at a
remote location through the Internet. The interface translates the
industry standard Ethernet, TCP/IP and HTTP protocols used on the
Internet into data recognizable to the PLC. Residing in the PLC is a
programming package accessible to a user through this interface which
will allow the user to edit programs controlling the operation of the
programmable logic controller system.