Setting up an S7 connection using TCP/IP

The TCP/IP method of communication to the S7-300 and S7-400 PLC's via TCP/IP communication module uses the S7WIN, S7WINSP, S7NT, or S7NTSP protocol.

“We had documentation at one time.”

Sound familiar?  Have you suddenly found changes that have been made in the PLC but not in the offline program?  Nobody knows what happened.

Unfortunately this is an all too common phenomena with the Siemens SIMATIC Step 7 software.  The problems stem from the flexibility of the software both for downloading and editing the online program.  If the person is not familiar with the software it’s very easy to get confused if the changes are being made on the computer or in the controller.

“Great taste. Less filling.”
 

When one hears the words “Lite” and software you tend to think of software that’s not really usable.  Depending on your needs this may not be the case with the Siemens STEP 7 Lite package. The four major limitations in STEP 7 Lite verses the more advanced STEP 7 package are:

1. Support limited to the SIMATIC S7-300 PLC, the C7 all-in-one PLC and HMI, and the intelligent CPUs of the ET200 distributed I/O family.  So no programming for the S7-200 or S7-400 PLC series.
2. No networking whatsoever.  Remote I/O racks (IM modules) are supported but there’s nothing for Profibus DP even if you have a DP port on your CPU.
3. No support for multi-projects or HMI integration.
4. No communication processors (CP) or function modules (FM) supported.

If you’re interested in more details then refer to our chart of differences between the Step 7 program packages.  So there are quite a few major limitations with the Step 7 Lite software which may end your further reading of this review.

Otherwise known as Siemens speak. Here's a list of Siemens specific abbreviations and their meanings.

This is a listing of tutorials and manuals found on the Siemens automation website that will get you started on the SIMATIC Step 7 software for S7-300 and S7-400 systems. From a new users perspective I’ve only heard disparaging comments about finding the right information on the Siemens’ website. I have to agree. Its information overload at it’s best. There’s a lot of different stuff there thrown together and found in different spots with very long URL addresses to add to the confusion.

Have no fear.  We’re here to help.  So we’ll look at the essentials for your journey. 

This Siemens S7-300 PLC Trainer shows how easy it is to build a trainer or development stand using our PLC simulators. You won't find a better setup. Consider the advantages.