Siemens SIMATIC NET PROFIBUS, Owner'S Manual, Page: 13 / 490

PROFIBUS NETWORKS
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PROFIBUS Networks SIMATIC NET
6GK1970-5CA20-0AA1 Release 2 05/2000
SIMATIC NET
With SIMATIC NET, Siemens provides an open, heterogeneous communication
system for various levels of process automation in an industrial environment. The
SIMATIC NET communication systems are based on national and international
standards according to the ISO/OSI reference model.
The basis of such communication systems are local area networks (LANs) which
can be implemented in one of the following ways:
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Electrically
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Optically
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Wireless
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Combined electrical/optical/wireless
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Electrically, intrinsically safe
1.1.2 Overview of the SIMATIC NET System
SIMATIC NET is the name of the communication networks connecting SIEMENS
programmable controllers, host computers, work stations and personal computers.
SIMATIC NET includes the following:
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The communication network consisting of transmission media, network
attachment and transmission components and the corresponding transmission
techniques
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Protocols and services used to transfer data between the devices listed above
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The modules of the programmable controller or computer that provide the
connection to the LAN (communications processors “CPs” or “interface
modules”).
To handle a variety of tasks in automation engineering, SIMATIC NET provides
different communication networks to suit the particular situation.
The topology of rooms, buildings, factories, and complete company complexes and
the prevalent environmental conditions mean different requirements. The
networked automation components also make different demands on the
communication system.
To meet these various requirements, SIMATIC NET provides the following
communication networks complying with national and international standards: