PROFINET offers a variety of possible topologies: tree, line, ring, star, etc. Nearly all PROFINET devices have two ports on them, and behind these two ports, there is an integrated switch which allows the creation of a line topology. Star topologies may be more efficient solutions in some cases and for that, you have dedicated Ethernet switches. Switches come in two broad flavors: managed and unmanaged. Even though you may be able to use both in a PROFINET network, they are very different…