A Complete Comparison: PROFINET RT vs IRT
In the PROFINET world, PROFINET Real Time (RT) and PROFINET Isochronous Real Time (IRT) are common terms. PROFINET RT and IRT can be employed to deliver data within a PROFINET network. PROFINET RT is equipped in all PROFINET components and fulfills the majority of industrial automation timing requirements. PROFINET IRT is optional as it is…
Can PROFINET and Ethernet Employ the Same Switch?
Switches are crucial components in industrial networks. They are commonly implemented in PROFINET configurations to deploy various topology options (i.e., tree, star, line, ring). But are those switches able to handle PROFINET telegrams and other Ethernet traffic? PROFINET can coexist with other Ethernet-based protocols in the same network and share network infrastructure, such as switches…
PROFINET Network Overview
When building an industrial network with PROFINET, you will employ three major pieces of hardware: controllers, devices, and general infrastructure. Controllers can be PLCs, DCSs, or PACs. Devices can be I/O blocks, RFID readers, drives, process instruments, proxies, or even other controllers. And cables, connectors, switches, and other components make up the network infrastructure. You…
What is PROFINET? – PROFINET Explained
This article answers a very general but common question: What is PROFINET? PROFINET is an open Industrial Ethernet solution based on international standards. It is a communication protocol designed to exchange data between controllers and devices in an automation setting. It was introduced in the early 2000s and is the most well-adopted Industrial Ethernet solution….
How to Configure a PROFINET Network (Full Demonstration)
This video will show you how to configure a PROFINET network. PROFINET controllers have an associated engineering tool to configure the network. Even though engineering tools vary across manufacturers, there is a standard process for configuration. First, import the GSD file and configure the network in the Engineering Tool. Second, configure the devices and download…
FAQ on PROFINET Basics (get your questions answered!)
This article resolves some of the most common introductory questions about PROFINET. Besides this FAQ, you can learn more about PROFINET by watching this on-demand webinar: How PROFINET Works? A Beginner’s Guide. PROFINET Introduction FAQ Can an Ethernet protocol be deterministic? Ethernet on its own is not deterministic. But Ethernet-based protocols can use their own…
The Difference Between PROFINET and PROFIsafe
PROFINET and PROFIsafe have very similar names and were both created by PROFIBUS and PROFINET International (PI). Besides the similarities in origin and name, PROFINET and PROFIsafe are different technologies. PROFINET is an open industrial Ethernet standard that offers real-time data exchange while maintaining openness for flexible plant and machine concepts. Aside from the standard…
10 Reasons to Choose PROFINET
PROFINET is the leading and most advanced communication protocol for automation. Currently, in 2020, there are over 32 million PROFINET nodes installed. This article contains 10 reasons or highlights to choose PROFINET for your product or automation project. 1.- Flexible Topology and Media With PROFINET, you can implement various topology options such as line, star,…
PROFINET Development FAQ
This month, we hosted a webinar on PROFINET Development: 7 Steps to Develop a PROFINET Device. There are many choices of ways to add PROFINET to an automation device. This webinar gave developers an overview of the seven steps to embed PROFINET in a product. In this article, I will expand on some questions we…
PROFINET Cables: Requirements, Specifications, and Types
In this article, you can learn all about a crucial piece of infrastructure in PROFINET networks: the Cabling. A PROFINET network is based on standard IEEE 802.3 Ethernet. Therefore, you can utilize standard Ethernet cables to build your PROFINET network. You might have heard the term: PROFINET cable before. We will reference this term through…