A front adapter for being connected to a control device, comprising: a connection device connected to a predetermined system cable, for connecting at least one field component (100, 110, 120), wherein the connection device has first contact elements (80 1 to 80 n) that are electrically connectable to first I/O contact elements (20 1 to 20 n) of an input/output module of the control device; the predetermined system cable; at least one wireless communication interface for wirelessly transmitting and receiving signals to or from at least one wireless transmitting and/or receiving device (185, 195) that can be connected to a first field device (180, 190); and/or at least one bus-capable communication interface for transmitting and receiving signals via a signal bus to or from at least one bus-capable transmitting and/or receiving device (150, 160) that can be connected to a second field device (130, 140); a control and/or evaluation device connected to the at least one wireless communication interface and/or to the at least one bus-capable communication interface and to second contact elements (81 1 to 81 n); and the second contact elements (81 1 to 81 n); wherein the second contact elements (81 1 to 81 n) are connectable to second I/O contact elements (21 1 to 21 n) of the input and output module of the control device, wherein the control and/or evaluation device is adapted to control the transfer of signals between the second I/O contact elements (21 1 to 21 n) of the input and output module and the at least one wireless transmitting and/or receiving device (185, 195) and/or the at least one bus-capable transmitting and/or receiving device (150, 160). a connection device connected to a predetermined system cable, for connecting at least one field component (100, 110, 120), wherein the connection device has first contact elements (80 1 to 80 n) that are electrically connectable to first I/O contact elements (20 1 to 20 n) of an input/output module of the control device; the predetermined system cable; at least one wireless communication interface for wirelessly transmitting and receiving signals to or from at least one wireless transmitting and/or receiving device (185, 195) that can be connected to a first field device (180, 190); and/or at least one bus-capable communication interface for transmitting and receiving signals via a signal bus to or from at least one bus-capable transmitting and/or receiving device (150, 160) that can be connected to a second field device (130, 140); a control and/or evaluation device connected to the at least one wireless communication interface and/or to the at least one bus-capable communication interface and to second contact elements (81 1 to 81 n); and the second contact elements (81 1 to 81 n); wherein the second contact elements (81 1 to 81 n) are connectable to second I/O contact elements (21 1 to 21 n) of the input and output module of the control device, wherein the control and/or evaluation device is adapted to control the transfer of signals between the second I/O contact elements (21 1 to 21 n) of the input and output module and the at least one wireless transmitting and/or receiving device (185, 195) and/or the at least one bus-capable transmitting and/or receiving device (150, 160).