Welcome to MinutePROFINET. Today we will be explaining the differences between PROFINET
and Ethernet. And answering some common questions like: Is PROFINET Ethernet?
Or can PROFINET networks use Ethernet cables? Before we get started, a quick introduction:
My name is Michael Bowne, I am a part of PROFIBUS and PROFINET North America,
a non-profit member-supported organization. We aim to promote and educate the public on industrial
automation and networking technologies in general. If you would like to watch more of our videos,
please subscribe to this channel. But for now, let's go to the whiteboard for a complete
PROFINET vs. Ethernet comparison. What is the difference between PROFINET and Ethernet? In
short, Ethernet is a network communication medium, and PROFINET is an Industrial Ethernet Standard.
However, comparing Ethernet and PROFINET is not easy, because they are complementing technologies,
not competing technologies. They fulfill different tasks within a communication system.
We can explain this by introducing the ISO/OSI model. So what is the ISO/OSI model?
It is a seven-layer model that generically describes the abstraction layers of a
communication system. From bottom to top, the 7 seven layers of the model are Physical,
Data Link, Network, Transport, Session, Presentation, and Application.
Each of these layers has a specific function. Where do Ethernet and PROFINET sit in this model?
Ethernet lives at Layers 1 and 2 and PROFINET at Layer 7. Layer 1 and Layer 2 are all about
generating electrical signals, accessing the bus, and sending and receiving telegrams.
Layer 7, on the other hand, is the top layer, and it describes the application.
You might also be familiar with TCP/IP or UDP/IP. They both reside on layers 3 and 4 of the model:
Network and Transport. Now let's explain Ethernet and PROFINET separately and then
put those concepts together. What is Ethernet? IEEE 802.3 specifies the standards that makeup
Ethernet. Ethernet frames include information such as the MAC addresses of the sender and receiver,
virtual LAN tagging, and Quality of Service. Ethernet is used to connect nodes in a Local
Area Network. The physical link between nodes in an Ethernet network can be,
for example, a coaxial cable, a twisted pair cable, or a fiber optic cable. Nowadays,
Ethernet is the most common communication medium worldwide; used in homes, enterprises,
factories, and in general infrastructure due to its speed, affordability, and versatility.
PROFINET is an Industrial Ethernet solution. It is a communication protocol designed
to exchange data between controllers and devices in an automation setting.
PROFINET defines cyclic and acyclic communication between components, including diagnostics,
functional safety, alarms, and additional information.
To link all of those components, PROFINET employs standard Ethernet for its communication medium.
If you encounter a PROFINET network, you will notice the Ethernet cables connecting PROFINET
components. Today we learned that PROFINET and Ethernet complement each other. They
are both in industrial networks—Ethernet as the communication medium and PROFINET as the protocol.
Now, let's answer some common questions to clear up any outstanding doubts. Is PROFINET Ethernet?
No. PROFINET is an application that is based on Ethernet. Comparing PROFINET to
Ethernet would be like comparing HTTP, OPC UA or any other application to Ethernet.
Can PROFINET networks use standard Ethernet cables?
Yes, you can employ standard Ethernet cables to build a PROFINET network. However, the Ethernet
cables that you might encounter in a home or office environment might not be the best choice.
Those cables can be weak and might lack shielding. The factory floor, where PROFINET is most commonly
used, can be a rough environment with challenging conditions such as extreme temperatures, humidity,
vibrations, and electromagnetic interference. For that reason, even though you can employ
standard Ethernet cables, it is recommended to use industrial Ethernet cables. On the wire,
they are the same thing. Yet, industrial Ethernet is characterized by ruggedized hardware,
shielding protection, and proper jacketing. Do I need PROFINET if I already have Ethernet in an
automation network? Yes, you still need PROFINET. You create a connection if you link two nodes in
a network with an Ethernet cable. But there is so much more than just linking those two components.
You will require underlying protocols to fulfill different tasks, such as sending data to the
cloud, synchronizing machines, and implementing functional safety. PROFINET is critical
to establishing fast and deterministic data exchange between controllers and devices. Besides
PROFINET, you can employ other Ethernet-based protocols to complement your network.
But how? And which protocols? Since PROFINET is based on standard unmodified Ethernet; the
network is not restricted to just PROFINET frames. For example, you can employ MQTT, SNMP, OPC UA,
or HTTP to send data vertically, manage network diagnostics, or interface with web servers.
I hope you enjoyed learning about how Ethernet and PROFINET are complementary, and not competing,
technologies. If you would like more information please follow the link in the description
of this video and watch a free webinar: An Introduction to Ethernet for Control Engineers.
Also, you can visit our website at us.profinet.com to learn more about the PROFINET technology. Feel
free to comment below, share your feedback and any questions. And of course, thank you for watching.