S7 communication (Put/Get) #
A Profinet connection to a Siemens S7 CPU is required for operation. We support all common control types: S7-200, S7-300, S7-400, S7-1200, S7-1500, ET200.
Optimized blocks cannot be used with this communication method. If you want to use optimized blocks, you need OPC-UA communication.
Compatibility with S7-1200 & S7-1500 models #
To operate an S7 communication with the S7-1200 and S7-1500 models, the following two settings must be made. If you are using an OPC-UA connection, you do not need to make these settings.
1. Deactivate optimized block access
Optimized blocks are not supported by the S7 communication (Put/Get). Therefore, optimized block access must be deactivated for all blocks used in the DataSuite.
2. Allow PUT/GET communication and full access
From model S7-1200 with firmware version 4.0 and all S7-1500, PUT/GET communication is disabled by default. To use the software, you must allow PUT/GET communication, as full access to the controller is required. You can find these settings in the device configuration of your control under the tab “Protection & Security”. There you select full access as the access level and check the box for PUT/GET communication under connection mechanisms.
OPC-UA #
With OPC-UA communication, the PLC acts as an OPC-UA server. You must activate this in your control. The OPC-UA communication is designed for Siemens controls.
Please note:
To activate the OPC UA Server of the PLC, an OPC UA Runtime license from Siemens is required. The exact license depends on the type of your PLC.
Please note:
S7-1200: Limited functionality of OPC UA communication with S7-1200 controllers. The OPC UA Server of a S7-1200 offers significantly less functionality than the OPC UA Server of a S7-1500. Please note the following limitations:
- No direct communication with data blocks. To be able to read and write variables in the DataSuite, you have to set up an OPC UA Server interface in TIA Portal (see below).
- Limited number of variables. The number of OPC UA server interfaces and the maximum number of variables is limited by Siemens. A maximum of 2000 variables can be used. With array each entry counts as own variable.
- Poorer performance: The addressing of the variables by the OPC UA server of the S7-1200 is not optimal, which is why the performance can be significantly worse than with an S7-1500, especially with block triggers.
- No DTL: The DTL data type can be created in TIA Portal, but it is not possible to use it in the DataSuite. Use the variables e.g. Date, Time or Time_Of_Day instead.
Create OPC UA Server interface
The communication with controllers of the type S7-1200 differs from the S7-1500 controllers. To be able to use variables, you have to create corresponding OPC UA server interfaces in the S7-1200 beforehand.
After that you get a view and you can drag the desired data blocks and also single variables into the server interface. Afterwards you have to reload the hardware and software into the PLC.
IBH Link UA #
If you use an OPC UA server from IBHsoftec (IBH Link UA), please note the following restrictions.
- No arrays: Arrays cannot be used in the DataSuite via IBH Link UA.
- No DTL: The DTL data type can be created in TIA Portal, but it is not possible to use it in the DataSuite. Use the variables e.g. Date, Time or Time_Of_Day instead.
S7-PLCSIM (TIA Portal PLC Simulator) #
If you want to test the DataSuite with a PLC simulator from Siemens, you need the S7-PLCSIM Advanced version. Only this version can establish external connections.
The simulator included in TIA Portal (PLCSIM) cannot establish network connections.
| PLC SIM | PLC SIM Advanced | |
| PLCs | S7-300, S7-400 S7-1200, S7-1500 | S7-1500, ET-200SP |
| Put/Get | Not available | Available |
| OPC UA | Not available | Available |
| Price | Included in TIA Portal | Must be purchased as a stand-alone product. |
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