net-aic connected to net-ene

I have a machine that has the following network

Micrologix 1500 connected to 1761-net-aic port 2 (8 pin round mini connector)

From net-aic port 3 connected to 1747 aic module.

From 1747 aic module connected to a panelview 1000 (Standard)

Port 1 (9 pin D-Sub) on the net-aic is empty.

I would like to have this machine connected to our ethernet network. Can I connect a net-ene module to the existing net-aic, or do I need to do something more elaborate

The PLC is talking DH485 through the Net-AIC. I'm pretty sure the Net-ENI must connect to a port using the DF1 protocol.

I'm assuming the 1500 does not have two ports. If it did the Net-ENI can connect to the other one.

Port splitter might work - 1747-DPS1.

The port splitter would only work on DF1. His current port which is using the Net-AIC is using DH485.

I believe the Digi One IAP could be configured to pass the DH485 over RS232 and allow Ethernet access to at least the ML1500, if not the PV1000 too.

Or add a node to the DH485 network (which can go great distances) and put in a bridge from DH485 to Ethernet as in a PC with Linx Gateway, or 1756 Gateway with ENBT, DH485 and P.S.

I hope to try the Red Lion Com port redirector software to see if I can access a DF1 SLC via RSLogix500 using the G3 as a gateway, thereby eliminating the PV600+ and the Digi we use now on some machines to get serial->ethernet access to 5/03 and 5/04s. I have not seen definitive testimonials doing that even with DF1 though.