Systems and methods for virtualizing a programmable logic controller

摘要

In some embodiments, a method (200) is provided for creating a virtual programmable logic controller (PLC) based on a physical PLC. The method (200) includes (1) connecting to the physical PLC over a network (201); (2) obtaining configuration data from the physical PLC over the network (202); (3) if an expansion module is coupled to the physical PLC, obtaining configuration data for the expansion module over the network (204); (4) storing configuration data for the physical PLC in a configuration medium (206); and (5) if configuration data for the expansion module is obtained, storing configuration data for the expansion module in the configuration medium (206). Numerous other embodiments are provided.