The Backplane Ethernet Extension Protocol (BEEP) allows users to create high-density I/O networks from a single point on their existing PLCs. This technology allows a network of as many as 33 devices (one master + 32 slaves) or 480 bytes of data to appear to the PLC as a single device on a single connection using a single IP address. By reducing the number of connections the PLC sees, users can create high-density I/O networks and still use PLCs. BEEP also supports drop-in device replacement, allowing a technician to replace a slave device with a new device to keep the system online.