Virtualized real-time I/O in process control systems

A method of controlling an industrial process, the method comprising: Switching, by I/O router 25 which is communicatively coupled to a plurality of field devices and a plurality of process controllers, I/O data between the plurality of field devices and the plurality of process controllers based on a set of records stored at the I/O router. The switching is based on a first subscription of the I/O router to a publication of first I/O data indicative of information generated by a field device of the plurality of field devices and based on a second subscription of the I/O router to a publication of second I/O data indicative of a control signal generated by a process controller included in the plurality of process controllers. The switching thereby controlling at least a portion of the industrial process.