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How to Use Ethernet to Connect Control and IT
 PROFIBUS and PROFINET International (PI) has released a must-read whitepaper that defines Industrial Ethernet, outlines the PROFINET implementation approach, and numerates the specific conditions you need to understand to configure a corporate-wide network from the automation system to the IT structure.
In most companies, the days of operating automation and controls as isolated systems are long past. For a number of years, automation components such as controllers and control PCs have been communicating with centralized computers and servers. These centralized computers are normally located in centralized network areas, same as in the Information Technology (IT) world, and must therefore be accessible via the network administered by IT personnel.
In addition, more and more automation system components, such as IO devices, valves, and drives, are connected to controlling components via Ethernet. Due to this trend, the use of Ethernet is becoming more and more common for connecting field-level devices. The great number of Ethernet-linked automation devices requires rethinking network structures.
The new PI whitepaper, PROFINET and IT, describes the fundamental differences of the automation and IT network worlds and illustrates the principles for integrating Ethernet-based automation communication into an overall network that is also used for office, telecommunication and building environments. Click here to download the paper now... Read more
Sign-up Now for Free One-day PROFINET Training Classes
 The PTO (formerly PROFIBUS Trade Organization) is hosting a number of free training classes designed to show automation and IT professionals the power and scope of Industrial Ethernet.
The PTO and PROFI Interface Center will be holding free one-day training classes throughout North America on PROFINET technology and applications. Click here to access class details with a link to registration.
PROFINET is the all-encompassing Industrial Ethernet that includes real-time IO, peer-to-peer integration, motion control, safety, vertical integration, and integration of existing fieldbuses including PROFIBUS, Interbus, AS-I, DeviceNet, HART, Foundation Fieldbus, and others.
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PROFINET Node Count Rises 40 Percent in 2008
 PI announces that the PROFINET node count has hit 1.6 million, signaling broad market acceptance and wide availability of products, tools and application support.
The node count for PROFINET devices rose to 1.6 million through the end of 2008, a 40 percent increase over 2007, according to figures published recently by PROFIBUS & PROFINET International (PI, www.profibus.com), the German-based organization that oversees the PROFI family of fieldbus standards. PROFINET is the PROFI version of industrial Ethernet.
PI also reported that PROFINET is being used in most developed countries in the world, with North America running second to Europe, and Asia in third place. Latest figures suggest that there are 200 PROFINET products and services from more than 30 suppliers on the market, according to the PTO, (www.us.profibus.com), the North American PROFI group... Read more
Excellent Crowd Kicks Off First PROFINET Class in 2009
 Carl Henning, deputy director of PTO North America, blogs about a recent PROFINET training class, where a Detroit audience learned of the new Energy Management initiative for the automotive market.
The Detroit PROFINET one-day training class concluded on March 13 with 160 registrations and 135 in attendance. Sometimes with a class this big it's hard to handle the questions as the class proceeds, but we managed with this group. There were a lot of good questions and many questions sought even greater detail than we normally present, indicating the careful thought put into the question.
Being in front of an automotive crowd gave us the opportunity to update that community on a pertinent announcement from the PROFIBUS and PROFINET International (PI) 20th anniversary technical conference. We announced the beginning of a new initiative, instigated by the German automotive association, AIDA. The new initiative: Energy Management for PROFINET. The automotive industry concluded from serious study of its energy consumption that energy management at the device level offered the potential for large energy savings. We could use the word “green” here, but the incentive is also economic; energy costs money after all... Read more
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