8. GSD configuration files

Any equipment that can interface to Profibus is characterized by a configuration file known as a GSD file. This ASCII file has a standardized structure, and is supplied by the equipment manufacturer. It specifies, in a completely clear and exhaustive manner, the characteristics of the equipment in terms of input/output variables, types of services supported, permissible transmission speeds, etc. The GSD file can be downloaded from the Profibus website. GSD file editor software is freely available on the Profibus website .

When a master device configures the bus, the GSD file provides all the information needed to integrate the device into the network. Thus, the addition of a device to a Profibus network configuration in a software workshop is often carried out by dragging and dropping a GSD file for this device from a hardware catalog. A consistency...