PROFINET – Real-time communication in the field

The PROFINET specification 2.5 introduces several important enhancements that strengthen PROFINET for secure, scalable, and convergent industrial communication. Building on earlier versions, specification 2.5 adds completed security mechanisms including certificate handling, a new secure transport channel for configuration and firmware operations, and improved support for IT/OT convergence based on IEC/IEEE 60802. It also incorporates the latest extensions for Ethernet‑APL and Single Pair Ethernet while maintaining backward compatibility with all previous PROFINET versions. Experience from field use and ongoing standardization work will continue to flow into future updates of the specification.

PROFINET offers optional shared device functionality that enables multiple PLCs to access one station simultaneously. Together with temporary device name assignment, machines can be configured more flexibly while keeping engineering and certification effort low. This approach is particularly beneficial in option‑handling scenarios, for example when a safety PLC operates independently from a standard PLC. Machine builders gain modularity and reduced system costs, such as using one ET 200SP station for two PLCs.

With topology‑leading device name assignment, device names can be automatically aligned with the configured topology. If mismatches occur, names are reassigned based on the actual structure. This increases flexibility, particularly when mobile machine units or modular line segments are docked or undocked. System integrators and machine builders benefit from easier commissioning and more robust system behavior.

The PROFINET Asset Service integrates PROFINET data and diagnostic information into Industrial Edge environments, enabling app developers to access standardized PROFINET services more efficiently. This accelerates development cycles and simplifies secure access concepts. Machine builders, system integrators, and end customers can more quickly develop applications that rely on accurate asset and device information.

The PROFINET Device App supports real‑time communication between PLCs and Industrial Edge devices. This makes configuration of high‑performance data exchange straightforward and enables advanced use cases such as closed‑loop AI applications. End customers and system integrators can combine machine data with analytics tools while maintaining deterministic PROFINET behavior.

The next‑generation PROFINET IRT implementation allows controller functions to run on Intel COTS network interface cards, eliminating the need for dedicated ASICs. Machine builders can design cost‑efficient controllers that still support SIMATIC peripherals and SINAMICS drives. This reduces development complexity and offers greater access to price‑sensitive markets.

PROFINET systems support IPv6 reachability for services such as PLC web servers and OPC UA communication. This increases flexibility for system integrators, reduces the need for NAT routing, and helps overcome IPv4 address limitations. It also simplifies network structures with large device counts and prepares automation systems for future IT architectures.

IP‑less PROFINET devices operate entirely on Layer 2 using device names rather than IP addresses. This eliminates coordination effort between machine builders and system integrators and reduces configuration time, especially in series machine concepts. Such networks become more robust and less prone to addressing errors.

PRONETA Professional V2.0 includes an SBOM configurator that generates complete software bills of materials for machines and systems. This helps machine builders comply with cybersecurity regulations such as the EU Cyber Resilience Act and enables end customers to routinely check components for vulnerabilities through tools like SINEC Guard. The workflow covers scanning, analyzing, and exporting all relevant data.

PRONETA Basic continues to support the latest ET 200 I/O families and provides fast topology scans and wiring checks. This ensures that machine builders can commission modern PROFINET systems efficiently and reliably, even in compact or modular machine designs.

The ERTEC 2100 and ERTEC 200P chips offer easy‑to‑integrate PROFINET communication with increased processing power and Gigabit support. They include baseline security features from PROFINET V2.5 such as secure event logging and configurable SNMP. Device manufacturers benefit from simplified development, integrated hardware security, and compatibility with the latest PROFINET requirements.

The PROFINET Driver supports all baseline security functions of specification 2.5 and enables PROFINET IRT operation on standard Intel Ethernet network interface cards. This reduces dependence on specialized hardware and accelerates development of secure PROFINET‑capable devices. It provides an efficient path for device manufacturers entering the PROFINET ecosystem.