Retrieval of diagnostic information from PROFINET networks

The ever increasing use of networked field devices in manufacturing environments brings about new challenges for diagnosis and supervision of these devices. Manufacturing has become more multi-vendor, multiple fieldbus orientated and consequently diagnosis of a variety of geographically wide spread fieldbuses has become a necessity. The research work proposes the development of a single diagnostics device for local and remote access to diagnostics data from multiple fieldbusses. The PROFInet standard is one of the networks covered by this research work, and this paper details the issues surrounding the retrieval of diagnostic information through a PROFInet interface on this device.