IP Addresses


Why IP Addresses?

An oft-heard question: “Why do PROFINET devices need IP addresses? PROFINET uses names!” You may have heard the misinformation that PROFINET does not use TCP/IP. The correct information is that PROFINET does use TCP/IP and devices do have IP addresses!

So, the short answer to that oft-heard question: PROFINET uses TCP/IP and therefore needs an IP address.

Using TCP/IP

The long answer is pretty simple: PROFINET uses TCP/IP where it makes sense (that is, where the data is not time critical). For example:

  • Configuration
  • Parameterization
  • Diagnostics

real-timeTherefore, an IP address is needed for these functions. There are also other benefits. Many devices have embedded web servers. This allows you to type in their IP address into a web browser and access them like a webpage. One of the biggest reasons people are moving to PROFINET is DATA ACCESS. By using IP addresses, it helps integrate device-level information vertically into higher level MES or cloud storage systems.

Real Time

Now PROFINET does not use the IP address for real-time data; it just uses the physical address, the MAC address. This means it can skip TCP/IP for faster, more deterministic performance.

To dig deeper, read our white paper “PROFINET for network geeks (and those who want to be).”

For more information, download the full White Paper:

System Description: PROFINET Technology and Application

Download White Paper