Systems and methods that employ an extensible architecture to define configuration functionality

The subject invention relates to systems and methods that generate modules profiles for industrial control modules (e.g., I/O, scanners, adapters . . . ). A module profile generally includes a set of components, interfaces and/or plug-ins that determine possible configurations for a module. Such entities are packaged in an XML based format to provide a dynamic module profile, wherein a definition type can be dynamically changed. Development and/or configuration of a module can be achieved through an industrial software development environment via a graphical hierarchical representation of configuration options defined in the module profile. In addition, the module profile provides for separately installable/release independent utilization via XML and COM based interfaces, wherein an end-user does not have to wait for a new software release in order to add a new module.