Diagnosis at submodule level

PROFINET currently distinguishes between 4 types of submodule.

• Virtual submodules:
  The virtual submodules are always permanently connected to a module, i.e. when inserting a module the virtual submodules defined with it are also always inserted in the specified subslot. This kind of submodule is presently the commonest method.
• Real submodule:
  Here there is a possibility to select the pluggable submodules from a submodule list and to append them to the module. The necessary information is procured from the GSDML. In TwinCAT a module can be selected from such a list with the right mouse button (provided this is supported by the device).
• Port submodule:
  The physical properties of a network port are reproduced in such a submodule.
• Interface submodule:
  Device-specific properties are defined in the interfaces submodules. These can be, for example, additionally supported protocols, timing properties, supported MIBs etc.

In general the submodules have the same diagnostic properties as the modules, i.e. in this case also it is currently only possible to read out the nominal and actual configuration in TwinCAT. The order of the subslot numbers is not necessarily the same as the order in the TwinCAT project. Hence, for example, the order in DAP always starts with the interface submodule (ISM); however, the subslot number of the ISM is defined in the GSDML and starts at 0x8000. There are 16 possible interfaces (0x8x00), each with up to 256 ports (0x80xx). An ISM is followed by the Port submodule with the aforementioned subslot number.