HMS Anybus Diagnostics | PROFIBUS, PROFINET & Industrial Network Diagnostics
Industrial networks rarely fail all at once.
More often, communication problems develop gradually. A loose connection, electrical noise, a damaged cable, an overloaded segment, or a device that intermittently drops off the network can create problems long before production is affected.
Without visibility into the network, troubleshooting becomes guesswork.
HMS Anybus Diagnostics (formerly Procentec) provides the tools maintenance and engineering teams use to troubleshoot, strengthen, and monitor industrial communication networks before small problems become costly downtime.
At Streamline Process Management, we focus specifically on the Anybus Diagnostics portfolio, helping industrial facilities improve the reliability of PROFIBUS, PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, EtherCAT, and industrial Ethernet networks.
Looking for Procentec products? HMS Networks acquired Procentec and integrated the product line into HMS Anybus Diagnostics. ProfiTrace, ProfiHub, ComBricks, Atlas, and Osiris remain available and continue to support industrial network troubleshooting, monitoring, and reliability initiatives.
Industrial Network Diagnostics Toolbox
Why Industrial Network Diagnostics Matter
Many industrial communication networks operate for years with little attention.
Then one day:
- Devices begin dropping offline
- Communication faults appear intermittently
- Startup takes longer than expected
- A production line becomes unstable
- Troubleshooting consumes hours instead of minutes
When network visibility is limited, technicians often resort to replacing components one at a time and hoping the problem disappears.
Diagnostic tools change that.
Instead of guessing, maintenance teams can see:
- Network topology
- Signal quality
- Communication faults
- Cable reflections and noise
- Device behaviour
- Early signs of network degradation
The result is faster troubleshooting, more reliable operation, and fewer unexpected outages.
The Industrial Network Diagnostics Toolbox
Most facilities benefit from a layered approach to network reliability:
🔍 Troubleshoot Problems
Identify faults and determine root cause.
🔀 Segment the Network
Build a more robust infrastructure that limits the impact of failures.
📊 Monitor Continuously
Detect issues before they become downtime.
🎓 Develop Internal Expertise
Equip maintenance teams with the skills to keep networks healthy.
Troubleshoot Network Problems
ProfiTrace – PROFIBUS Troubleshooting and Analysis
When a PROFIBUS network becomes unstable, the first question is usually:
“Where is the problem?”
ProfiTrace helps answer that question without shutting down production.
This portable troubleshooting toolkit allows maintenance and engineering teams to analyze communication behaviour and signal quality while the network remains operational.
Typical applications include:
- Intermittent PROFIBUS faults
- Device communication issues
- Commissioning validation
- Signal quality analysis
- Cable and termination verification
- Network health assessments
With message-level diagnostics, topology visibility, oscilloscope functions, and automated reporting, ProfiTrace remains one of the most widely used PROFIBUS diagnostic tools available.
Need help troubleshooting a PROFIBUS network?
Ask us about ProfiTrace.
Strengthen Your Network Infrastructure
ProfiHub – Network Segmentation and Reliability
Many legacy PROFIBUS installations were built using long daisy-chain architectures.
While functional, these designs can make troubleshooting difficult and allow faults to impact large portions of the network.
ProfiHub helps create a stronger network backbone by segmenting the network into electrically isolated sections.
Benefits include:
- Improved signal quality
- Easier troubleshooting
- Better fault containment
- Simplified network expansion
- Increased network reliability
By isolating segments, communication problems are often easier to identify and less likely to affect the entire installation.
Planning for Siemens Repeater Phase-Out?
Siemens has announced the phase-out of several PROFIBUS repeater and active termination products, including the widely used 6ES7 972-0AA02-0XA0 repeater.
For facilities evaluating replacement options, the ProfiHub family provides a modern alternative with segmentation, isolation, and diagnostic capabilities that extend beyond traditional repeaters.
Talk to us about PROFIBUS infrastructure upgrades.
Monitor Networks Before Problems Cause Downtime
Permanent Network Monitoring
Troubleshooting tools are valuable when something goes wrong.
Permanent monitoring helps identify problems before operations notice them.
For facilities with critical production assets, limited maintenance resources, or recurring communication issues, continuous monitoring can provide early warning of developing network problems.
ComBricks
ComBricks provides permanent monitoring for PROFIBUS networks, allowing maintenance teams to view network health, capture diagnostic information, and identify developing issues before they become failures.
Atlas
Atlas provides permanent monitoring for industrial Ethernet networks and gives maintenance teams visibility into network behaviour, topology, alarms, and health indicators.
Osiris
Osiris software transforms network data into actionable information through dashboards, topology mapping, alarm management, reporting, and network quality indicators.
Together, these tools help maintenance teams move from reactive troubleshooting to proactive network management.
Interested in permanent monitoring? Let’s discuss your network.
Discuss a Monitoring Strategy
Build Internal Expertise
Strong Networks Require More Than Better Tools
Even the best diagnostic tools are most effective when maintenance teams understand what the information means and how to act on it.
Whether you’re troubleshooting a PROFIBUS network, expanding a PROFINET installation, or developing a long-term monitoring strategy, the right combination of tools and training can dramatically reduce troubleshooting time.
Streamline can help identify the most appropriate training and support resources based on your team’s experience level and network requirements.
Talk to a Training Expert
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Procentec?
Procentec was acquired by HMS Networks and its products are now part of the HMS Anybus Diagnostics portfolio.
While the branding has changed, the functionality, diagnostics capabilities, and network expertise maintenance teams have relied on for years remain the same.
Many engineers and maintenance teams still refer to these products as “Procentec” products, which is why you’ll often see both names used together.
Is ProfiTrace still available?
Yes. ProfiTrace remains one of the most widely used PROFIBUS troubleshooting tools and is now part of the HMS Anybus Diagnostics portfolio.
Is ProfiHub still available?
Yes. ProfiHub remains a core PROFIBUS network segmentation solution and is commonly used for network upgrades, expansion projects, and Siemens repeater replacements.
Is ComBricks still available?
Yes. ComBricks helps maintenance teams identify developing network problems, monitor signal quality, and investigate intermittent communication issues without waiting for production to be affected.
What’s the difference between ComBricks and Atlas?
ComBricks is designed primarily for permanent monitoring of PROFIBUS networks.
Atlas focuses on permanent monitoring of industrial Ethernet networks such as PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, and EtherCAT.
If you’re not sure which approach fits your facility, we can help evaluate your network and monitoring requirements.
What types of networks can Anybus Diagnostics support?
Solutions are available for PROFIBUS, PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, EtherCAT, and industrial Ethernet applications.
Why Maintenance Teams Choose Streamline
✓ Authorized HMS Anybus Diagnostics Distributor
✓ Canadian Technical Support
✓ Certified PROFIBUS Engineer
✓ PROFIBUS & PROFINET Expertise
✓ Support for Troubleshooting, Monitoring & Training
Continue Exploring Industrial Network Reliability
Whether you’re troubleshooting an active communication problem, planning a network upgrade, or evaluating permanent monitoring, these resources can help.
Guides & Resources
- PROFIBUS Troubleshooting Guide
- PROFIBUS Network Health
- Siemens Repeater Replacement Option
- How to Choose a ProfiTrace Version
- 10 Costly PROFIBUS Mistakes to Avoid
- Browse HMS Anybus Diagnostics Products
Talk to a Training Expert
Application Examples
- Maintaining Network Reliability in an Automated Logistics Environment
- Maintaining Water Purity Through Reliable Industrial Communications
Looking for something specific?
Contact us and we’ll point you in the right direction.
Ready to Improve Network Reliability?
Whether you’re troubleshooting a communication problem, planning a network upgrade, or evaluating permanent monitoring options, we’re happy to help.
Talk to a Diagnostics Specialist