stable and constant data communication by means of protocol processing on the CP
Optional: redundant communication via intelligent CPs combined with high-availability software package (HARDNET-IE S7-REDCONNECT)
Safeguarding of important computer systems and their associated data communication by means of integrated security mechanisms on the CP, such as firewall and VPN
IT cost savings (e.g. no additional computer) and use of free computer capacity for further applications since intelligent CPs facilitate large quantity structures and enable the workload of the host CPU to be reduced
Simple access to automation/diagnostic data via SNMP and OPC as standard interface