The protocol was originally developed by Rockwell Automation and is managed now by the Open Device Net Vendors Association (ODVA). It is a well-established Industrial Ethernet communication system with good Real-Time capabilities. The presence strongly can be found in America and Asia.
It has been mainly selected by General Motors as a communication system that is plant-wide for all GM factories worldwide. The international standard for EtherNet/IP is IEC61158 and the devices are certified by ODVA for interoperability and conformance.
The protocol is commercially off-the-shelf in Ethernet to the Common Industrial Protocol (CIP). In DeviceNet and ControlNet, the same upper-layer protocol and object model is found.
Mostly EtherNet/IP and DeviceNet systems are allowed by CIP to integrate where users apply the same objects and profiles for plug-and-play interoperability among devices from multiple vendors and in sub-nets.
When DeviceNet, ControlNet, and EtherNEt/IP are combined, it promotes transparency from sensors to the enterprise software.
Source:-http://www.ixxat.comEtherNet/IP