PROFINET is the open industrial Ethernet standard of PROFIBUS & PROFINET International (PI) for automation. PROFINET uses TCP/IP and IT standards, and is, in effect, real-time Ethernet.
The PROFINET concept features a modular structure so that users can select the cascading functions themselves. They differ essentially because of the type of data exchange to fulfil the partly very high requirements of speed.
In conjunction with PROFINET, the two perspectives PROFINET CBA and PROFINET IO exist. PROFINET CBA is suitable for the component-based communication via TCP/IP and PROFINET IO used for the real-time communication with real-time requirements in modular systems engineering. Both communication options can be used in parallel.
PROFINET IO was developed for real time (RT) and isochronous real time (IRT) communication with the decentral periphery. The designations RT and IRT merely describe the real-time properties for the communication within PROFINET IO.
PROFINET CBA and PROFINET IO can communicate at the same time on the same bus system. They can be operated separately or combined so that a PROFINET IO subsystem appears as a PROFINET CBA system from a system perspective.
Read more about PROFINET: Technology, PROFINET Component Model (PROFINET CBA), PROFINET and The Peripherals (PROFINET IO), PROFINET IO Addressing, PROFINET and Real Time, PROFINET and Isochronous Communication, Profiles, Additional Highlights of The PROFINET Concept, Benefits of PROFINET, Organization