John Gaunt
Member
When I get a new S7-400 CPU I am able to communicate with it
straight away using a PC adaptor and PC running Step7.
About 3 times now I have had the problem whereby I am unable to
establish communications with the new "straight out of the box"
CPU using MPI. I have tried going straight to Profibus using
a CP 5613 or CP5613 A2 card but this fails also. My Profibus
setup doesn't match the MPI port setup.
I had this problem last a couple of weeks ago in India with a CPU
we had shipped there direct. This time I spent a little time
trying to understand the problem.
Using PC Adaptor with PG/PC Interface PC Adaptor (Auto)
Properties / Start Network Detection
Network Type PROFIBUS
Trans Rate 187.5 kbps
Highest Station Address 126
Profile Standard
So obviously Siemens sometimes ship their new CPU's with the
MPI port configured as Profibus.
My "work around" for this problem is to install a Flash Memory
card I now carry around with my PC Adaptor with an old rubbish
program that has the MPI port set up correctly. Then the PC
Adaptor works and continues to work when I remove the Flash Card.
I then download my projects correct Hardware Configuration and
switch to Profibus putting my PC Adaptor away until the next
project.
Obviously the best solution to this problem is for Siemens to
"mend their ways" and ship CPU's with the MPI port set up
correctly. Siemens don't want to acknowledge the problem
exists.
I think that perhaps the software Siemens provide on their
special Laptops somehow allows communication regardless of
the CPU MPI port being configured Profibus. If so they should
make this facility available to PC users.
Has anybody else experienced this problem?
Is there a better solution?
straight away using a PC adaptor and PC running Step7.
About 3 times now I have had the problem whereby I am unable to
establish communications with the new "straight out of the box"
CPU using MPI. I have tried going straight to Profibus using
a CP 5613 or CP5613 A2 card but this fails also. My Profibus
setup doesn't match the MPI port setup.
I had this problem last a couple of weeks ago in India with a CPU
we had shipped there direct. This time I spent a little time
trying to understand the problem.
Using PC Adaptor with PG/PC Interface PC Adaptor (Auto)
Properties / Start Network Detection
Network Type PROFIBUS
Trans Rate 187.5 kbps
Highest Station Address 126
Profile Standard
So obviously Siemens sometimes ship their new CPU's with the
MPI port configured as Profibus.
My "work around" for this problem is to install a Flash Memory
card I now carry around with my PC Adaptor with an old rubbish
program that has the MPI port set up correctly. Then the PC
Adaptor works and continues to work when I remove the Flash Card.
I then download my projects correct Hardware Configuration and
switch to Profibus putting my PC Adaptor away until the next
project.
Obviously the best solution to this problem is for Siemens to
"mend their ways" and ship CPU's with the MPI port set up
correctly. Siemens don't want to acknowledge the problem
exists.
I think that perhaps the software Siemens provide on their
special Laptops somehow allows communication regardless of
the CPU MPI port being configured Profibus. If so they should
make this facility available to PC users.
Has anybody else experienced this problem?
Is there a better solution?
