Active Network Components - Siemens SIMATIC ET 200AL System Manual

2.2.1

Active Network Components

Introduction
The following active network components are available for PROFINET:
● Switch
● Router
Switched Ethernet
PROFINET IO is based on switched Ethernet with full-duplex operation and a bandwidth of
100 Mbps. In this way, the network can be used much more efficiently through the
simultaneous data transfer of several devices. The PROFINET IO frames are processed with
high priority.
Switches
Switches are network components used to connect several terminal devices or network
segments in a local network (LAN).
For the communication of a device with several other devices on PROFINET, the device is
connected to the port of a switch. Other communication devices (including switches) can
then be connected to the other ports of the switch. The connection between a
communication device and the switch is a point-to-point connection.
A switch has the task of receiving and distributing frames. The switch "learns" the Ethernet
address(es) of a connected PROFINET device or additional switches and only forwards
those frames that are intended for the connected PROFINET device or the connected
switch.
Switch variants
Switches are available in two models:
● Integrated into a PROFINET device
For PROFINET devices with multiple ports (two or more), we are dealing with devices
with an integrated switch (for example, CPU 1516-3 PN/DP).
● As autonomous device (for example, switches of the SCALANCE product family)
PROFINET with STEP 7 V15
Function Manual, 12/2017, A5E03444486-AH
Description
2.2 Setting up PROFINET
31