The VersaMax PROFINET Scanner (PNS) module interfaces a remote node of VersaMax modules to a PROFINET IO-Controller. The PROFINET Scanner scans the modules in its node, retrieving input data and providing output data, and publishes input data on the PROFINET Network at the configured production rate. The PNS manages PROFINET communication and module configuration between an IO-Controller and modules within the remote node. If network communications are lost, the PNS manages I/O states according to the individual module configurations.