Siemens SIMATIC ET 200AL System Manual page 1030

Assets general and asset management data records
Assets are components (hardware and software / firmware) of a machine, for example a
laser welding machine, or a plant.
A large number of these device components can already be identified through tried-and-
tested I&M functions or corresponding data records (I&M0 to I&M5) in the PROFINET
context: The device itself as well as its modules and submodules. Meaning all components
that can be addressed through the PROFINET device model.
Components that cannot be addressed via the PROFINET device model, but whose data it
should be possible to acquire online for operation and maintenance, can be identified
through asset management functions. This asset management data (short: AM data) is
stored in a defined structure in a special data record, the asset management record (AMR)
mentioned above.
The PROFINET Guideline "Identification & Maintenance Functions" differentiates here
between I&M functions (I&M data) and asset management functions (AM data): The
following sections only deal with the AM data.
The components that can be read additionally online through asset management data
records include both hardware components, such as backplane bus modules of a device as
well as firmware components such as a drive control unit with own versioning.
Application examples
Importing asset management records enables you to read the following information during
installation or operation, for example:
● Are only approved devices being used (whitelist check)?
● A firmware update is due. Obtain a fast overview: Which devices or components are
affected and have to be upgraded?
Making asset management data available
The concept for the asset management of PROFINET devices stipulates that the
manufacturers of PROFINET devices have to ensure that non-PROFINET automation
components are made available through an asset management record. This data record is
assigned to the PROFINET device.
In contrast to a "standard" IO device, with an I-device the project engineer has to make the
asset management record available. In this case, the central modules of the I-device are
assets. From the perspective of PROFINET, these central modules are not visible from the
point of view of the higher-level IO controller. The higher-level IO controller only "sees" the
transfer areas through which it exchanges IO data with the I-device.
The principle of this provision is explained in the section.
PROFINET with STEP 7 V15
Function Manual, 12/2017, A5E03444486-AH
Diagnostics and maintenance
4.1 Diagnostics mechanisms of PROFINET IO
83