What attribute of Modbus is considered the single biggest factor explaining its continued relevance despite its age?
Answer
Being an open protocol
The decision by Modicon to make Modbus publicly available and non-proprietary was a pivotal moment that guaranteed its widespread success and longevity. This openness meant that any vendor could implement the protocol without needing expensive licenses or royalty payments. This significantly lowered the barrier to entry for device manufacturers wishing to communicate with PLCs, effectively transforming a proprietary solution into a universally accepted industry standard very quickly. This ease of implementation remains a key advantage over modern protocols that might carry higher licensing or processing overhead.
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