Book excerpt: Industrial communications are a multidimensional, occasionally confusing, mixture of fieldbuses, software packages, and media. The intent of this book is to make it all accessible. When industrial controls communication is understood and then installed with forethought and care, network operation can be both beneficial and painless. To that end, the book is designed to speak to you, whether you’re a beginner or interested newbie, the authors guide you through the bus route to communication success. However, this is not a how-to manual. Rather, think of it as a primer laying the groundwork for controls communication design, providing information for the curious to explore and motivation for the dedicated to go further.