Integrate tags from Siemens S7-1200/S7-1500

This task describes how to add a Siemens S7-1200 or S7-1500 controller as a tag integration source in your project.

This tag integration is based on our SITIA driver, which communicates with the Siemens S7-1200 or S7-1500 controller (firmware 4.0 or later) over Ethernet using the SIMATIC protocol.

Before you begin this task, you should do the following:

• Review the manufacturer's documentation for your Siemens S7-1200 or S7-1500 controller;

• Read the documentation for our SITIA driver (on the Help tab of the ribbon, in the Documentation group, click Communication Drivers, and then select SITIA);

• Make sure the controller is updated to firmware 4.0 or later; and

• Make sure the controller is running and accessible on your network, and then note its network address.

You might also need to update the controller's program to enable it to communicate with your project. Specifically, use TIA Portal — the programming software for Siemens controllers — to do the following:

• In the controller's Protection settings (General > Protection), make sure the access level is Full access (no protection);

• Also in the controller's Protection settings, make sure Permit access with PUT/GET communication from remote partner (PLC, HMI, OPC, …) is selected; and

• Make sure the Visible in HMI and Accessible in HMI options are selected for all program tags that you want to integrate into your project.

Remember that you need to recompile the controller's program and then download it to the controller whenever you change program settings or create new program tags.

Note: Tag integration does not support password authentication. If you cannot set the controller's access level to Full access (no protection) as described above, or if the controller is configured with a fail-safe CPU (also known as a safety CPU or F-CPU, which provides increased protection and always requires a password to connect), then you cannot add that controller as a tag integration source. As an alternative, use the SITIA driver to establish direct communication with the controller. For more information, see Configuring direct communication with a remote device.

To add a Siemens S7-1200 or S7-1500 controller as a tag integration source:

1. On the Project tab of the ribbon, in the Settings group, click Communication.

   The Project Settings dialog is displayed, with the Communication tab selected.

   

2. In the Tag Integration area, click Add.

   The Tag Integration Source dialog box is displayed.

3. In the Type list, select Integrated.

4. In the Provider list, select Siemens S7-1200/S7-1500.

5. In the Name box, type an appropriate name for the tag integration source.

   This name will be used as a prefix on the names of the integrated tags. The default is DEV, which is short for "device".

6. Click Add.

   The Siemens Tag Integration dialog box is displayed.

   

7. In the PLC IP box, type the IP address of the controller.

8. Click OK to finish the configuration and add the source.

If the source is added successfully, the controller's tags will be immediately available in the Object Finder in the Studio development environment. For more information, see Use the Object Finder to select integrated tags.