Profinet Switch

What is a Profinet Switch?

A Profinet switch is a connecting element in a network which connects devices and network segments to higher level parts of the network. Profinet next to EtherCAT and EtherNet/IP belongs to the best known Industrial Ethernet standards. The Profinet switch is integrated integrated into the PROFINET based network as a network participant. A Profinet switch has to comply to a number of requirements.

Product Overview

A PROFINET switch writes the address of the sender of incoming frames as well as the corresponding ports of incoming frames into a chart. Using this chart a determination can be made for packages which come in later as to which port of the PROFINET switch they should be forwarded to. The precise sending of packages lowers the load on the network. If the target address is not yet known the process of broadcasting is applied. The frame is then sent to all ports of the PROFINET switch.

If a PROFINET switch supports MRP (Media Redundancy Protocol) or RSTP (Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol) redundant connections in the network may be switched off. Redundant paths are not allowed in the Ethernet standard. By automatically switching on of suitable redundant paths after a breakdown of the physical connection the network can be reestablished after a short period of recovery.

Profinet Switch Managed for better Supervision

Advantages and disadvantages of manages switches and unmanages switches have to be evaluated diligently during the process of planning the network. A PROFINET switch managed gives the operator access to the configuration data and through which he gains control and the possibility to influence the network and its control unit.

A PROFINET switch managed can be equipped with Mirror Ports. Port mirroring (mirror port) allows the network administrator to monitor specifically selected ports. Since the data transfer on all ports can not be monitored simultaneously due to the switch simply forwarding frames to the target port, this is an advantage.

Application in the Field - Profinet Switch IP67

A Profinet switch IP67 is designed for application under rough circumstances in the field. It is resistant to dust, dirt and humidity and allows moving the connection closer to the IO device in and on the machine. For stretched out plants the advantage is especially high since the transmission can be combined into one main line. The line requires less space and it is much simpler to check for damage.

For application in the field a Profinet switch IP67 is often equipped with a metal case and good sealing M8 and M12 circle connectors. By the use of a union nut and other measures the connectors provide high resistance to intrusion of dirt, dust, metal shavings and humidity.