Network transitions For a seamless transition between PROFIBUS and Industrial Ethernet, you can choose between PC-Based Control and a Link as a compact network transition. SIMATIC NET IE/PB Link PROFINET devices with proxy functionality ensure the connection of PROFIBUS segments to Industrial Ethernet and they function as the PROFIBUS DP master. A particularly compact transition is achieved with the IE/PB Link. It supports the communications services specified in PROFINET for data exchange between PROFINET devices and proxies for PROFIBUS field devices. It enables communications relationships between the PROFIBUS devices themselves, and between those devices and Ethernet devices. Here the IE/PB Link supports both the connection of simple DP slaves and the connection of PROFIBUS devices with built-in CPU, e.g. on an ET 200S. One IE/PB Link can "represent" up to 32 PROFIBUS devices. SIMATIC WinAC PN and software PLC In applications with distributed intelligence where each individual technological module has its own controller, it often makes sense to use a higher-level controller for coordination tasks. For these tasks, PCBased Control with a software PLC is ideal. With SIMATIC WinAC PN, we have also ensured that such a solution creates harmonized network transitions between PROFIBUS and Industrial Ethernet. The visualization software, such as SIMATIC ProTool/Pro, can also run simultaneously on the same PC (e.g. SIMATIC Panel PC). SIMATIC WinAC PN ("PN" is short for "PROFINET") is a software PLC Based on SIMATIC WinAC V3.0. It is suitable for controlling simple to complex machines with no strict real-time requirements. WinAC PN is 100 percent programcompatible with the "standard version" SIMATIC WinAC Basis V3.0 and functions as a proxy for up to 60 PROFIBUS devices. SIMATIC WinAC PN can, of course, also be used purely as an Ethernet device. Technical data and order information in the Catalog and Online ordering system SIMATIC NET IE/PB Link SIMATIC WinAC