1 General

1.1 Features

Obtaining PRONETA

PRONETA is available as a free download from the SIEMENS support portal:

https://support.industry.siemens.com/cs/ww/en/view/67460624

This manual refers to version 2.5.0.

System Requirements

PRONETA runs on any contemporary PC, PG or laptop hardware with Windows 7, Windows Embedded Compact 7, Windows 8 or Windows 10, each either in the 32 or 64 bit version.

Connection with PROFINET is established via an Industrial Ethernet cable.

The following additional software components need to be present as well:

.NET Framework v4.6.1

WinPcap 4.1.3 or higher

If .NET is missing on your PC, the installer will guide you to a download location. WinPcap is part of the PRONETA distribution and will be installed at the first start of PRONETA, if not found.

NOTE

  • Depending on the distribution, the .NET Framework and WinPcap drivers may not be included in the standard installation for Windows Embedded, and may require manual installation.
  • The 32 bit version of Microsoft Visual C++ must be used even with 64 bit versions of Windows.

Supported SIMATIC Software

PRONETA allows the loading of reference projects created with STEP 7, Versions 5.4, 5.5,or 5.6. It is also possible to import AML ("Automation Markup Language") files created with the TIA Portal.

Limitations

The maximum size of a network for which network scans will be reliably performed is 500 devices. For larger networks, devices may go undetected, or PRONETA may crash. (See also Online Mode)

In the I/O Test, signal changes of less than 256 ms duration may not be reliably observed. (See also I/O Test Task)

1.2 Supported Modules

PRONETA supports all PROFINET-conform devices irrespective of their manufacturer. The supported range of functions depends on the individual device.

The I/O Test supports the following modules:

Most current SIMATIC ET 200 modules

SIMATIC IO-Link modules (Master/Device)

SIMATIC Compact Field Units (CFU)

SIRIUS Motor Starters with Firmware Versions 1.1 or greater

SIPLUS Heating Control Systems HCS4200/4300

Reference List

A continuously updated list of supported modules for PRONETA can be found on the PRONETA download page

Updating the PRONETA GSDML database

Modules that appear after the release of version 2.5 can subsequently be supported by importing their GSDML file from the SIEMENS Industry Online Portal web pages, provided they do not require any new functionality. The chapter GSDML Manager provides more details on this.

1.3 Installing and Running PRONETA

Installation

Extract the PRONETA file archive into a folder on your PC, and connect your PC by means of an Industrial Ethernet cable with your plant.

No further installation is required for PRONETA.

 

NOTE

The extraction path for PRONETA must not contain either of the special characters “#” or “;”.

Starting PRONETA

After installation, you can start PRONETA by a simple double-click on the program icon in the extraction folder.

NOTE

 

You may also create a shortcut link to PRONETA on your desktop and start the program from there.

Finishing PRONETA

To quit PRONETA, click on the “Close”-icon of the program’s window.

Deinstallation

If you do not plan to use PRONETA any further, perform the two following steps:

1.      Delete the folder to which you extracted PRONETA,

2.      In the Windows start menu, execute “WinPcap -> Uninstall WinPcap 4.1.3”