PRONETA Basic’s Network Analysis gives you a quick overview about which devices are installed in your PROFINET network, and how they are connected with each other. The Network Analysis also lets you view and change various network parameters of the devices, like IP addresses, device names etc.
Different networks can be compared with each other, and the devices can be configured automatically or manually.
Comparison mode serves to compare two networks with each other – usually one will be the physical network detected during a current network scan, and the other one will be a reference network. The reference network in turn can be a saved topology file of a network scan, a network as configured in a STEP 7 project, or an AML file.
The main screen is separated into:
A Topologies List (1) of "Topologies for Comparison"
One major (2) and two smaller (3) Graphical Views
Two Device Tables (4) with the devices stored in the selected topologies
The relative size of the views can be changed by dragging the border between the panes in the corresponding direction. Use the arrow symbols "►", "◄", "▲" or "▼" on the view divider bars to expand or collapse the panes.
Function Bar
The following functions are available in the Function Bar:
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Icon |
Name |
Function |
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Add Topology File |
Adds a previously stored topology to the topologies list. |
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Export Topologies |
Performs a Topology Export to disk. |
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Set Comparison Criteria |
Selects filter setting for the device comparison. |
On the far right of the Function Bar, there are the Device Search and the Scanner Status Indicator.
The comparison criteria determine which device parameters are used in establishing differences between topologies or devices. Any two devices are only considered "counterparts" to each other if they have the same values for all the parameters checked in this dialog, and if they fall within the IP address range chosen, if one is defined.
This window displays the current Online Topology and a list of stored network topologies for comparison More topologies can be added using the commands in the Function Bar.
To remove an entry, right-click in the list, and apply the "Remove File" command.
To compare two of the topologies from the list with each other, select both balance icons to the right of the respective topology names. The top entry of the pair will be displayed in the Graphical View and compared to the bottom entry.
The list of topologies displayed here is retained between PRONETA Basic sessions.
Graphical View
The Graphical View is a graphical display of the PROFINET network. For details on its operation, see Graphical View in the Online mode.
Display of Devices without a Counterpart
Devices for which no equivalent counterpart was found in the other topology are displayed with a red border. Equivalency is determined by the parameters configured through Set Comparison Criteria.
Graphical Views "Overview" and "Details"
The larger view shows an overview of the top network chosen in the topologies list.
Below the Overview are two topology Detail Views which highlight any device selected in the overview or the Device Tables. The left Details View shows the device in the first topology, the right Details View shows the corresponding topology configuration in the second one (if any).
A red border around a device symbol indicates that differences between the devices in the first and the second network exist.
Hovering the mouse pointer over such a symbol in either of the detail views brings up a tooltip with more details about the differences.
Differences may be found in the network configuration, module status etc., as configured through Set Comparison Criteria.
Tool Bar
In the top section of the view, there is a tool bar with a number of function icons:
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Icon |
Name |
Function |
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Zoom Selection |
Lets you draw a rectangle inside the Graphical View. Once you release the mouse button, the view will zoom to display the rectangle area. |
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Zoom Fit to Screen |
Zooms the view back so that all network devices fit inside the view. |
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Zoom Bar |
Zoom into the network or back by dragging the handle to the right or the left, respectively, or clicking on "-" or "+". (You can also zoom into and out of the Graphical View by placing the mouse over the view and using the scroll wheel.) |
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Refresh Comparison |
Starts a new scanner cycle of the network. (As opposed to the Online mode, in Comparison mode the Graphical View is not constantly updated.) |
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Change Topology Displayed in Overview |
Toggles which of the two selected topologies is displayed in the overview. |
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Go to Previous Difference |
Selects the previous conflict in a comparison (if there is one). |
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Go to Next Difference |
Selects the subsequent conflict in a comparison (if there is one). |
Device Context Menu
By right-clicking on any device in a Graphical View or in the corresponding Device Table, you can bring up a context menu with various functions.
Not all menu entries are available for all devices with the actual entries depending on the state of the device and the device type.
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Icon |
Name |
Function |
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Start Flashing LED |
Sets the LEDs on the physical device to flashing for easy identification. |
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Use as Starting Point in Graphical View |
Redraws the Graphical View with the chosen device in the upper left corner. |
Device Tables
On the right side of the Comparison mode window there are two side-by-side device tables. The table on the left lists the devices found in the first network, while the table on the right lists the devices of the second network.
Clicking on an entry in either table will focus the corresponding network in the Graphical Views on this device.
