PROFINET Diagnostic "Agent Blond" Supports Commissioning
Feb 5th 2026
Network disturbances during commissioning? Agent Blond has the solution!
This summer, Indu-Sol released a new tool to keep commissioning phases of automation networks on time and under budget. The PROFINET Agent monitors key parameters for network health, helping automation engineers and machine builders quickly identify underlying issues during commissioning.
Sometimes called "Agent Blond" (thanks to its third yellow indicator alongside the standard green and red LEDs), this compact DIN-rail device gives you real-time visibility into frame gaps and jitter before devices start dropping offline.
The traditional trial-and-error approach
Picture a typical commissioning scenario: a new PROFINET production line with a PLC, a switch, and seven IO devices in line topology.
Monday: Device 7 starts having connection problems. The team replaces the cable between devices 6 and 7.
Tuesday: Device 4 acts up. Another cable replaced.
Wednesday: Device 2. That's three cables.
Thursday: Device 6. Four cables down.
Friday: Every device fails simultaneously. The real culprit? The main trunk cable connecting the line to the master switch. Four days and four unnecessary cable replacements to find the actual problem.
Same problem, but now you have PROFINET "Agent Blond"
Monday: The electrician reports an issue with device 7. With the PROFINET Agent Blond connected between the master and the first switch, the PLC programmer sees the additional data forwarded from the PROFINET Agent to the TIA portal. It shows frame gaps for all the devices. This adds critical context since the control system allows resends and only notes an issue when a device’s resends fail three times in a row. Immediately, the PLC programmer is able to tell the electrician the correct cable that needs to be changed.
The PROFINET Agent cuts commissioning time and eliminates unnecessary cable replacements by showing you exactly where problems exist, not just which device failed last.
How it works
The above hypothetical illustrates just how the PROFINET Agent helps pinpoint exactly where problems are in a network. It uses advanced sensor technology to continuously monitor frame gaps and jitter, then reports that data to the PLC – which can be analyzed on a platform like TIA Portal or displayed right on the production floor with an HMI-connected screen.
With its additional port, the PROFINET Agent can also be set up to create a permanent tap point for connecting more advanced diagnostic tools like the PROFINET-INspektor® NT for deeper analysis without disrupting your network.
Need help determining if the PROFINET Agent is right for your application?
Talk to an engineer or request pricing: +1 (678) 880-6910 or email us at info@indusolamerica.com.