The PROFINET-INspektor® NT is an intelligent, passive analysis device for the diagnosis, monitoring and validation of PROFINET networks. It records and stores all relevant event data in PROFINET networks on a device-by-device basis in accordance with pre-set trigger functions. The INspektor® provides insights into quality criteria such as network load, data throughput, refresh rate, telegram gaps and telegram jitter, which reflect the current state of communication quality within the network. At the same time, it offers a comprehensive view of network stability based on switch statistics, a live network topology and the recording of security-related events. A quality check of your PROFINET network using this type of parameter monitoring serves both as an acceptance and testing criterion for new installations, and as important information for maintenance, servicing and (remote) support.

Live topology visualization in the web interface

The network topology automatically generated by INspektor^® is displayed directly in the integrated web interface.

Thanks to the clear visualisation of the actual network structure and the colour-coding of devices based on their diagnostic information, vulnerabilities can be identified immediately. Affected devices and network segments can be clearly identified, enabling rapid and targeted fault localisation.

Live topology

Proven features

• Independent analysis and evaluation of PROFINET Real-Time communication
  • Simple visualisation of anomalies using a traffic light colour scheme
  • Acceptance testing in accordance with PI’s PROFINET Planning and Commissioning Guidelines
  • Complete acceptance test report containing all key event information

Overview and chronicle

• Topology detection including asset discovery
  • Detailed description and visualisation of the PROFINET network
  • Detection of all network devices, including asset information such as order number, software and hardware versions
• Display of switch diagnostic data
  • Display of status-relevant port statistics for all manageable PROFINET switches
  • Analysis of advanced diagnostic functions for PROmesh switches (leakage currents, line quality)
• Customisable threshold and alarm management
  • Plug-and-play thanks to pre-configured thresholds based on PI guidelines
  • Learning mode: Thresholds for alarms are automatically determined after acceptance
  • Creation and linking of various alarm notification channels (e.g. MQTT, email, relay contact)
• Touchscreen for direct display of faults
• Jitter overviews for all devices
• Passive ring detection
• Optional active or passive diagnostics on the network

Thanks to a web server with a graphical web interface integrated into the PROFINET INspektor^® NT, the collected network data can be clearly displayed on any PC via a web browser, without the need for any additional software. It can be integrated directly into the plant’s electrical signalling system via a potential-free contact. This enables both visual and audible alarms to be implemented. At the same time, the data can be easily integrated into almost any signalling and control system using current and open interfaces such as OPC UA, MQTT and REST API.

Switch Statistics

Alarm overview

Netload Diagram

PROFINET INspektor^® NT as continuous network monitor

Apermanent analysis of the network status is essential to ensure the PROFINET communication clocked in real time or to overview the amount of extrinsic communication (e.g. Ethernet by camera systems and displays).

Integration of the PROFINET-INspektor® into the PROFINET network

The PROFINET INspektor^® NT is permanently integrated into the plant network and permanently monitors the logical telegram traffic during running production conditions. The plant operator knows the current status of the network at any time and is therefore able to initiate concrete countermeasures before the fieldbus fails and the plant comes to a standstill. An integration of the PROFINET INspektor^® into the detection system is possible and useful for permanent monitoring.

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