IIC Releases White Paper Spotlighting IIoT Networking Technologies

The Industrial Internet Consortium (IIC) has unveiled a comprehensive white paper that delves into the foundational networking components—what it calls the “plumbing”—of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). The document lays the groundwork for the IIC’s upcoming, industry‑wide networking framework.

Titled Industrial Networking Enabling IIoT Communication, the 16‑page white paper addresses a recognized educational gap in communication technologies, according to co‑author Cliff Whitehead. It analyzes real‑world IIoT use cases, outlining critical design considerations for the lower layers of the networking stack, including network architecture, end‑to‑end and vertical integration, and the adoption of open, standardized protocols and infrastructure.

The paper equips IIoT system architects and network engineers with the trade‑off insights necessary for building resilient industrial network architectures that support both present and future IIoT applications. It also demystifies these technologies for non‑technical business stakeholders.

Whitehead, Rockwell Automation’s Business Development Manager, emphasized that the white paper “exposes the plumbing so that not only the plumbers but also the homeowners can appreciate the artistry and precision behind it.” He co‑authored the document with six other IIC Networking Task Group members.

The authors characterize industrial networking infrastructure as operating at the IP layer and lower. These technologies bridge industrial assets—machines, sites, and environments—to the business professionals who deploy applications across diverse industry sectors.

Whitehead notes that IIoT networking demands differ from enterprise IT, requiring heightened focus on safety, security, performance, power efficiency, reliability, deterministic communication, and resilience to harsh environmental conditions.

This white paper paves the way for an upcoming, detailed guide that will enumerate requirements and optimal technologies for the lower three layers of the Industrial Internet Communication Stack. The forthcoming Industrial Internet Networking Framework (IINF) will augment the existing Industrial Internet Connectivity Framework, offering requirement specifications, solution overviews, and practical tools—including a toolbox and methodology—to translate usage scenarios into technology selections.

Whitehead added that the networking framework will evolve into a matrix that assigns precise attributes to each key characteristic.