Definition
PROFINET is an Ethernet-based industrial communication standard, the successor to the serial PROFIBUS protocol, enabling controllers, drives, and I/O devices to exchange data over standard Ethernet networking with support for real-time performance classes. It is widely used, particularly in Siemens-centric automation environments, alongside other Ethernet-based industrial protocols.
Key facts
- Ethernet-based, unlike its serial predecessor PROFIBUS, while sharing organizational lineage and naming.
- Supports multiple real-time performance classes, from standard Ethernet timing to more deterministic options for demanding applications.
- Particularly associated with Siemens automation environments, similar to how EtherNet/IP is associated with Rockwell Automation.
- Coexists with other Ethernet-based industrial protocols (EtherNet/IP, EtherCAT), each with particular manufacturer associations and technical trade-offs.
How does PROFINET work in maintenance?
PROFINET works by carrying industrial automation data over standard Ethernet networking, with defined mechanisms to support different levels of real-time performance depending on application needs, from general data exchange to more time-critical control communication.
What does PROFINET require?
PROFINET is the Ethernet-based successor to the serial PROFIBUS protocol, sharing naming and organizational lineage but using fundamentally different network technology. It is particularly common in Siemens-centric environments, much as EtherNet/IP is associated with Rockwell Automation and EtherCAT is chosen for very low-latency motion applications.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What communication task does PROFINET perform?
PROFINET carries industrial automation data over standard Ethernet, as the successor to the serial PROFIBUS protocol, particularly common in Siemens-centric automation environments.
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