Chapter 1. Introduction 
28  PACSystems* RX3i & RSTi-EP PROFINET IO-Controller User Manual  GFK-2571N 
1.7  Glossary 
Application Relationship. PROFINET term for a relationship that is established between an 
IO-Controller/Supervisor and IO-Device. For any data to be exchanged between an IO-
Controller/Supervisor and a given IO-Device, an Application Relationship must be established. 
Within the Application Relationship, various Communication Relationships (CRs) are then 
established for the different types of data to be exchanged. 
In Ethernet, the transmission of a network message to all hosts on the network.  
In a PACSystems RX3i PROFINET network, a CPU Node is a node in which a PACSystems RX3i CPU 
is connected to the PROFINET network.  
Communication Relationship. PROFINET term for a channel that is established within an 
Application Relationship (AR) to transfer specific data between an IO-Controller/Supervisor and a 
given IO-Device. Multiple CRs are established within an AR to transfer data. 
An Ethernet port connection on the PROFINET I/O Controller that is configured as a critical port. 
When the last Critical Network Port is disconnected from its network, a diagnostic fault is logged. 
In a redundancy system where the PROFINET I/O Controller is controlling redundant devices, this 
results in a CPU redundancy role-switch with the CPU placed into Stop/Fault mode. 
Device Access Point. This access point is used to address an IO-Device as an entity. 
An Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) request sent by the host to resolve its own IP Address. 
General Station Description Markup Language - definition of PROFINET Device Characteristics. 
Input Output Communication Relationship – describes the type (input/output) and amount of I/O 
data to be transferred, the sequence of the transfers and the transfer cycle between a PROFINET 
IO-Controller (or IO-Supervisor) and a PROFINET IO-Device.  
PROFINET Input/Output Consumer Status is transmitted on the PROFINET network to provide 
feedback on Input Data for an IO controller and Output Data for an IO device. 
PROFINET Input/Output Provider Status is transmitted on the PROFINET network to provide 
feedback on Output Data for an IO controller and the Input Data for an IO device. 
PROFINET abbreviation for the IOCS and/or IOPS (see above).  
Link Layer Discovery Protocol. IEEE standardized protocol used by network devices to advertise 
their identity and capabilities. 
Link Layer Discovery Protocol Data Unit. 
Media Access Control address (MAC address) 
Management Information Basis 
Media Redundancy Client. Within Media Redundancy Protocol, an MRC is responsible for helping 
the MRM detect breaks/no breaks in the ring.  
Media Redundancy Manager. Within Media Redundancy Protocol, an MRM is responsible for 
ensuring that the ring does not have a closed loop, while simultaneously ensuring maximal 
connectivity between nodes on the ring.  
Media Redundancy Protocol. An Ethernet protocol that provides redundant paths for PROFINET-IO 
cyclic traffic by supporting a ring topology.  
In Ethernet, the transmission of a network message to all hosts within a host group. 
If the IOCR Update Period is greater than the Send Clock time, the Update Period is divided into 
multiple phases where each phase is equal to one Send Clock.