Configuring Networks and Connections STEP 7, Version 5.4

Configuring Networks and Connections

·         PROFINET IO with IRT Communication (Isochronous Realtime) is supported. This means that short and equal-length bus-cycle times can also be configured for PROFINET IO (see Introduction: Isochronous Realtime Ethernet).

·         There is improved handling when inserting copied IO devices into another station. If the IP addresses are already assigned, you can specify the action to be taken upon insertion (retain addresses or assign new ones).

·         In a manner similar to that for PROFIBUS DP slaves, you can now set the watchdog time for PROFINET IO devices: as an object property of the IO device in the "IO Cycle" tab.

·         When using optical components for PROFIBUS DP: when configuring with an optical ring, you can specify the optical link modules (OLMs) to be used. This makes calculation of bus parameters more exact. In addition, it means that the bus cycle time can be shortened when higher-performance components are being used.

Standard Libraries

·         The standard library "Communication Blocks" has been expanded with the blocks FB 67 and FB 68 for open TCP/IP communication.

·         The standard library "Communication Blocks" has been expanded with the blocks FB 20, FB 21, FB 22 and FB 23 for cyclic accessing of user data in accordance with the German PROFIBUS User Organization [PROFIBUS Nutzerorganisation e.V. (PNO)].

·         In addition to the existing redundancy library "Redundant IO (V1)", there is the new block library "Redundant IO CGP" (channel granular peripheral devices). It supports redundancy for single module channels. You can find further information in the context-sensitive block help or the STEP 7 readme file. A current list of supported modules is available under the FAQs here: http://support.automation.siemens.com/.

·         As of V5.4 SP2, the system functions for SFC 109 "PROTECT“ have been expanded for activation of write-protection.

Report System Error

·         As of STEP 7 V5.4, a data block (DB 125) for PROFIBUS is supported. This data block can be used to output diagnostic events on an HMI device.

·         As of V5.4 SP1, you can export messages and error texts after you have generated them.

·         As of V5.4 SP1, you can use the unique name of the station from the S7 project in the message information that you configure in the "Messages" tab.

·         As of V5.4 SP2, you can specify values for any type of reporting component, which can be used in the generation of messages.

·         As of V5.4 SP2, the support for AS I links has been expanded.

Diagnostics

·         As of STEP 7 V5.4 SP1, maintenance information is displayed for certain PROFINET IO components (see Hardware Diagnostics and Troubleshooting).

·         As of STEP 7 V5.4 SP1, the module information functions for PROFINET IO interfaces and their ports on CPUs with an integrated Ethernet interface have been expanded by the "Communication Diagnostics" tab (see Module Information Functions) when the module supports this function.

·         As of V5.4 SP2, the functions of the module information for diagnostic repeaters as been expanded with the "DP Cycle Time“ tab.

·         As of V5.4 SP2, the functions of the module information for PROFINET IO devices has been expanded with the "Identification“ tab.

·         As of V5.4 SP2, the "Network Connection“ tab of the module information is now also displayed for PROFINET IO ports.

·         As of V5.4 SP2, the "Statistics“ tab of the module information now has two views.

·         As of V5.4 SP2, the "Module Information“ dialog box has been expanded with the current protection level of your CPU.