User Documentation

User Manual Managed Switches
134
4.2 Profinet I/O
Introduction
PROFINET is a communication standard for automation of PROFIBUS & PROFINET International
(PI). It is 100% Ethernet-compatible as defined in IEEE standards. With PROFINET, applications can
be implemented for production and process automation, safety applications, and the entire range of
drive technology. With its integrated Ethernet-based communication, PROFINET satisfies a wide
range of requirements, from data-intensive parameter assignment to extremely fast I/O data
transmission.
PROFINET I/O is used for data exchange between I/O controllers (PLC, etc.) and I/O devices (field
devices). This specification defines a protocol and an application interface for exchanging I/O data,
alarms, and diagnostics. And its real-time (RT) solution allows response time in the range of 5 ms,
which corresponds to today’s PROFIBUS DP applications.
4.2.1 PROFINET Environmental Introductions
PROFINET Networking Structure
PROFINET I/O follows the Provider/Consumer model for data exchange. PROFINET forms logical
link relationships between network character types. They are shown below.
IO Device
Weidmüller Switch,
Sensor, Motor
Enable PROFINET
IO Supervisor
PC Run Deployment Software/
SCADA
IO Controller
PLC
There are 3 major character types defined by PROFINET I/O, including I/O controller, I/O supervisor,
and I/O devices. Switches are considered I/O devices.
I/O Controller
This is typically the programmable logic controller (PLC) on which the automation program runs. The
I/O controller provides output data to the configured I/O-devices in its role as provider and is the
consumer of input data of I/O devices.
I/O Supervisor
This can be a programming device, personal computer (PC), or human machine interface (HMI)
device for commissioning or diagnostic purposes.
I/O Device
An I/O device is a distributed I/O field device that is connected to one or more I/O controllers via
PROFINET I/O. The I/O device is the provider of input data and the consumer of output data.