An automation system includes a first/second control devices having first/second field bus terminals, a field bus, a peripheral assembly having at least one input/output peripheral module for connection to sensors and/or actuators, where the peripheral assembly includes an interface module having a third field bus terminal for communication to and/or from the control devices, and where the interface module includes at least one input/output module storing interconnect information that creates an association between inputs/outputs of the at least one input/output peripheral module and the control devices, and where the interface module additionally includes a virtual data set module in which a data set receiving module is associated with the first control device to which a data set is writable by the first control device, and includes a data set transmitting module associated with the second controller from which the data set is retrievable by the second control device.