Multiple Interface Mode

Profinet devices have a logical bus interface, i.e., an access point for communication. In PLCnext Engineer, a Profinet interface is represented by its own tree node in the PLANT. Example:

The interface node provides a 'Settings' editor for defining Profinet-device-specific parameters and a Data List where you can map process data items of the plugged modules to global variables.

Profinet devices may have more than one interface, for example, to enable double redundancy (two separate interfaces which are separately connected to redundant controllers).

To run multiple interface devices in a network, a different topological modeling of the network is required compared to single interface device networks. In the Profinet specification, this specific operation mode is referred to as multiple interface mode. It enables the compatibility for multiple interface devices, and adapts existing services like, for example, neighborhood detection with LLDP (acc. to IEEE 802.1) accordingly.

The multiple interface mode is possible under the following conditions:

The Profinet Controller supports the mode,
and all Profinet devices in the network support the mode, too.

In other words: all devices involved must support this mode even if they themselves have only one interface.

In PLCnext Engineer, the multiple interface mode is automatically activated if these conditions are met. This is shown in the 'Settings' editor of the Profinet Controller. Here, the parameter 'Multiple interface mode' is set. You can deactivate and reactivate it manually as required.

Example...

If one device is inserted which does not support the multiple interface mode, the mode is automatically deactivated.