In addition to the parameters defined in the GSDML file, some PROFINET and PROFIsafe devices require additional configuration. Therefore, proprietary software tools are required to configure these devices. The PROFIBUS Organization (PNO) defines the “iPar Server” as the standardized functionality for handling such parameters. For further information, refer to the “iPar Server” guidelines.

The “iPar Server” can be used to save and restore the iParameters of PROFINET and PROFIsafe devices in a generic manner. The intended use case is the commissioning and maintenance of devices independently of proprietary software tools. The parameters are stored in the AC500 PLC during commissioning of a PROFINET or PROFIsafe device and can be restored without additional software tools if a device has to be replaced.

For the CM579-PNIO PROFINET Controller, the “iPar Server” functionality is implemented as a function block in the ABB_IParServer_AC500.lib library for AC500 V3 CPUs. The function block must be used in the PLC application and configured according to the library documentation.