PI launched a new repository last week: the PROFINET SXP Demo. This project is designed to simplify the adoption of the Service eXchange Protocol (SXP), which will be part of the PROFINET Specification V2.5 (IEC 61158 / IEC 61784), currently in ongoing PI review.
With this initiative, PI is providing functional examples and source code alongside the review of the new specification. This allows developers to explore and test the functionality of SXP and its security features in practice while the specification is being finalized. The SXP Demo serves as a vital tool for gaining a hands-on understanding of SXP communication and supporting the development of own implementations.
Key features of the initial release:
- Cross-Platform Support: The example applications are implemented in C# and are compatible with both Windows and Linux.
- SXP over TCP: The current release focuses on the implementation of SXP using TCP/IP as the transport protocol.
- Device Access: Includes minimal Client and Server examples demonstrating how to read and write data records.
- IO-Data Exchange: Minimal IO-Controller and IO-Device examples demonstrating the exchange of process data.
- Security Integration: Examples for both unprotected and protected communication, providing an initial look at the implementation of the PROFINET Security Profiles.
It is planned for future releases to provide additional features, e.g. Calling Home, and to adapt the examples to any changes resulting from the finalization of the PROFINET Specification V2.5.
NOTE: The PROFINET SXP Demo is intended for evaluation and educational purposes. It provides a simplified starting point to understand how SXP mechanisms interact, helping developers to get started with their own development.
Access:
All PI members who have already signed the licensing agreement for the PROFINET Community Stack can access the new repository via the PI GitLab immediately.
Access the repository here:
https://gitlab.profibus.com/profinet/profinet-sxp-demo