Programmable controller and duplexed network system

摘要

A duplexed network system is formed with a plurality of programmable controllers and two different networks. Each of the programmable controllers includes a CPU unit, a primary communication unit connected to one of these networks (the first network) and a secondary communication unit connected to the other of the networks (the second network). The primary communication unit serves to compile participation status of nodes connected to the first network. The CPU unit gives priority to the primary communication unit when a request to transmit a communication command is issued to both the primary and secondary communication units. The primary communication unit serves to judge, when a request to transmit a communication command to an addressee node is received from the CPU unit, whether transmission to the addressee node is possible based on the participation status of the first network, to transmit the communication command if the transmission is judged to be possible and to request the secondary communication unit to transmit the communication command if the transmission is judged to be not possible.