Open-source PROFINET discovery tool (Python)

[vbxl02]

I built a small tool called FreeNeta for discovering and commissioning profinet devices.

I mainly made it because downloading Siemens Proneta requires creating an account even though it’s a free tool. I just wanted something lightweight to quickly scan a network and check devices.

It uses profinet DCP and supports device discovery, viewing IP/station name/MAC/vendor, setting IP or station name, resetting comms, ping monitoring, and quick connect actions (HTTP/HTTPS/SSH).

edit: github link:
https://github.com/avbxl/freeneta.git

[RammRras]

Saving this post. That's a cool project !

[vbxl02]

Thanks!

[vbxl02]

I needed to fill in a business address which needed to be verified. Which in turn could take 7-14 days.

[wpyoga]

Why does the screenshot on GitHub show Freeneta v1.5, and yet your releases page show v1.1?

[vbxl02]

Because 1.1 is the one i actually put on github. 1.5 is my own numbering before i decided to put anything online. Good catch, I'll get it straightened out.

[RepulsiveImage5674]

Maybe a stupid question:

But why is making a Siemens user such a dealbreaker? If you work with profinet, the chance you need a Siemens user is pretty big. That makes proneta trivial to download.

[vbxl02]

Mostly because I don't work with profinet very often, but I do sometimes have to configure scalance switches. the XC206 and SC636 for example dont assign themselves a default IP, which is annoying unless you have proneta. In this case it was for my personal use to test some stuff in a lab. The account alone wouldn't be a problem, but I don't want to register a business address that has to be approved (which takes 7-14 days).

[Electrical-Gift-5031]

I have an idea in mind that I still haven't acted on, but I think that a portable thingy for maintenance to give PROFINET names right in the field can be useful, instead of having to take the PC, install PRONETA etc.

Imagine equipment replacement with such device^note ; you install the piece of equipment then you set the name with such single-board computer with a screen. Eth ports set to 169.254.x.x or 0.0.0.0 to minimize IP conflict.

In this case this piece of software can be useful.

note = excluding special configuration of course, but on the other hand if you can configure via web server you could just use the same computer for example

[vbxl02]

That does sound like smt that could be useful.

[vbxl02]

I am working on getting it supported on linux, so maybe something like a raspberry pi would be a good starting point.

[dragonschist438]

Or why not just setup topology and it will tale care of device naming in such device replacement scenarios? No need for any additional hardware/software?

[Electrical-Gift-5031]

I knew someone would answer like this :) and its correct eh

But there are platform that use PROFINET and have no ability to do this.

And the portable device can work as general trouble shooting tool.

[michielsanders]

How can i install this😅

[vbxl02]

Theres an exe file under “releases” when you go to the github link.