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PROFINET CBA OVERVIEW |
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PROFInet Unplugged – An introduction to PROFInet CBA |
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SUMMARY AND PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS |
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There are numerous application layer competitors to PROFInet including MODBUS TCP/IP ® from Groupe Schneider, EtherNet/IP™ from the Open DeviceNet Vendor Association (ODVA), HSE Fieldbus from the Fieldbus foundation and other networks from other vendors. PROFInet distinguishes itself from its competitors by the depth of integration in standard Information Technology (IT) functionality. Where its competitors are industrial protocols riding on TCP/IP, PROFInet is all IT with a smattering of industrial automation.
The question to consider is “Is that an advantage or a disadvantage?” This embracing of a Microsoft standard certainly makes it more attractive and easier for IT professionals to develop industrial applications. MES and ERP systems will be very easily integrated with PROFInet networks. Traditional automation vendors with PC-based architectures will also enjoy an advantage as they have staff trained in this technology. Other vendors of embedded devices like drives, scales, and barcode scanners will face a steep learning curve to porting and implementing this technology in their products.
The Microsoft factor must also be mentioned. Microsoft obsoletes technologies on a daily basis. How long will DCOM and RPC survive? What happens when future Microsoft Windows products reduce support for these products and increase support for others. SOAP is already being touted as a replacement for RPC. In an industry requiring technology support over decades is a strategy requiring support from Microsoft viable? |
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FOR MORE INFORMATION |
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Profibus International, PROFInet Architecture Description and Specification, Version 1.0, August 2001
Profibus International, PROFInet Implementation Guide, Version 1.2, July 2002
Open Software Foundation (OSF), www.opensoftwarefoundation.com
Dr. Richard Grimes, “DCOM Programming”, 1997 Wrox Press Ltd. |
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Real Time Automation, Inc. (RTA, Inc.) is a member of the Profibus Trade Organization (PTO) and an authorized implementation vendor and member of ODVA. For more information see the following: |
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www.rtaautomation.com/devicenet
www.rtaautomation.com/ethernetip
www.rtaautomation.com/can |
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Or contact John Rinaldi directly at  or 1-800-249-1612. |
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