The functionality of CiA 456-configurable network components can be enhanced by functionalities specified in other CiA specifications. Additional mechanisms for extending beyond the boundaries of a single CAN network by a certain type of gateway application are provided in the following specifications:

• CiA 302-7 describes the interface for bi-directional CANopen-to-CANopen communication in multi-level networks. It supports multiple CANopen networks implementing hierarchical and non-hierarchical architectures. Similar to CiA 456, a CiA 302-7 device may provide bridge functionality by means of system variables. However, in contrast to CiA 456, all CAN interfaces of a CiA 302-7 device must support CANopen as the higher-layer protocol. In addition to CiA 456, a CiA 302-7 device enables remote access from one local network to up to 31 remote networks via the “remote SDO service.”
• CiA 309 specifies network access services to a CANopen-based network for devices that interface between an Ethernet-based network and a CANopen network. Access is only possible from the Ethernet side to CANopen, not vice versa. Especially the part defining, for example, reset and configuration of the gateway’s CAN data link layer(s) may be of interest.
• CiA 315 provides the transport protocol for bridging two CAN networks via a wireless transmission medium (WTM). The specified CAN diagnostic data, accessible via the wireless communication link, may also be of interest for CiA 456 devices. Together with CiA 315, CiA 457 should be considered.

Depending on the use case and application field, one of the other CiA interface profiles may be of interest, as well.