PROFINET Nomenclature

IO Controller

The IO Controller is the master in the PROFINET system. It coordinates the start of the bus communication and the parameterization of the IO Devices. The IO Controller gets the process data and the diagnostic alerts of the IO Devices and forwards them to the control system (for example PLC).

IO Device

The IO Devices are the decentralized field devices (for example Input/Output devices or drives) in the PROFINET system.

The IO Devices get parameterized by the IO Controller (or IO Supervisor), and exchange process data with the IO Controller and send upcoming diagnostic alerts to the IO Controller.

IO Supervisor

The IO Supervisor is the engineering tool to access the IO Devices temporarily for commissioning. This functionality can also be integrated into the IO Controller.