Siemens SIMATIC S7-1500 System Manual page 258

Glossary
Device names
Before an IO device can be addressed by an IO controller, it must have a device name. This
approach was chosen for PROFINET because names are easier to administer than complex
IP addresses.
In its delivery state, an IO device has no device name. An IO device can only be addressed
by an IO controller - e.g., for transferring configuration data (including the IP address) during
startup, or for user data exchange during cyclic operation - after it has been assigned a
device name with the programming device/PC.
Diagnostic buffer
The diagnostic buffer is a battery-backed memory area in the CPU where diagnostic events
are stored in their order of occurrence.
Diagnostics
Monitoring functions for the detection, localization, classification, display, and further
evaluation of errors, faults, and alarms. They run automatically while the system is in
operation. This increases the availability of systems by reducing commissioning times and
downtimes.
Diagnostics interrupt
see "Interrupt, diagnostic"
Distributed I/O system
System with I/O modules that are configured on a distributed basis, at a large distance from
the CPU controlling them.
DP
Distributed I/O
Equipotential bonding
Electrical connection (potential equalization conductor) that brings the bodies of electrical
equipment and other conductive bodies to the same or almost the same potential, in order to
prevent disruptive or dangerous voltages between these bodies.
Firmware update
Updating the firmware of modules (interface modules, I/O modules, etc.), for example after
functional expansions, to the latest firmware version (update).
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Automation system
System Manual, 09/2016, A5E03461182-AD