2 Basics of PRONETA

2.1 Overview

NOTE

Within the scope of this documentation, the term “device” is used as a synonym for “network participant”, “node”, or “component.” Any piece of equipment which takes part in the PROFINET communication with a designated IP address is considered a “device”.

 

PRONETA is designed to allow you to accomplish one of several “tasks”. These tasks are currently:

Network Analysis Task

I/O Test Task

Adjusting the software Settings

The tasks can be chosen from the Home screen, and returning to the Home screen anytime during the operation of PRONETA will allow you to select a different task.

Screen Layout

In general, the PRONETA window is split in several sections:

A header bar (1) on the top

A mode bar (2) which allows changing between the “modes”, or individual steps of the task chosen

A function bar (3) which offers particular functions for the current mode

One or more windows with Graphical Views of a network configuration (4) or tables of relevant information (5) below, like a Device Table

Finally, the Graphical Views contain a tool bar (6), designed to perform particular operations depending on the chosen mode.

Depending on the task and mode chosen, the function bars and the context menus of the Graphical Views and the Device Tables offer differing functionality. Details can be found in the respective sections of PRONETA.

The relative size of the views can be changed by dragging the border between the panes in the corresponding direction. Panes can be displayed or removed by using the “►” and “◄” symbols on their pane border.

Header Bar

The header bar, which is always visible while PRONETA is running, contains two control elements:

The “Home” button on the left end of the header bar. Clicking on this will always return PRONETA to the start screen.

The “Help?” button on the right end of the header bar. Clicking on it opens a menu with three commands:

“Help” opens or closes a frame on the right hand side of the window which brings up context-specific help. (Pressing the “F1” function key at any time offers the same functionality.) For more details, see Help View.

“Report a Bug” collects information about the current state of PRONETA and prompts you to submit an error report to SIEMENS to improve PRONETA performance in the future.

“Version and Information” opens a small popup window with information about the PRONETA version you are running.

Reporting a Bug

Should you encounter a bug in PRONETA, please use the bug reporting mechanism available through the “Help?” button on the right end of the header bar.

PRONETA will create a diagnostic dump of its current state and prepare an e-mail to be sent to the PRONETA support team with that dump attached. (Creating the dump will take a few moments.)

You will support the constant improvement of PRONETA, if you add further information to this message before sending it, like the exact problems and circumstances of the error, and contact details for possible questions.