Upload from Siemens PLC via VPN

[AB11122]

Hi,
We are trying to access a remote PLC for debug, the PLC is networked in with a PC that we can access through TeamViewer.
Is there a way we can use our Siemens software on a local PC (we can use Step7 or the TIA Portal) to upload the PLC program over a VPN such as TeamViewer without physically connecting to the PLC? We are trying to avoid an unnecessary trip only to attempt to upload the program.
Thank you.

 

[dmroeder]

Never used this myself, feel free to try it:

Go to menu > Extras > Options > Advanced (show advanced). Scroll most of the way down, you'll see "Install VPN Driver". This will hopefully let you VPN into the system that the remote computer is connected to.

 

[AB11122]

Thank you! I should have specified, I have completed the above steps and have logged into the remote PC. The issue is getting the Siemens software to "see"/discover the remote PLC. (Maybe because of the unique IP address of the TeamViewer VPN?)

 

[sigmadelta]

Try following this:

https://www.sps-forum.de/attachments/how-to-setup-teamviewer-vpn-pdf.19042/

 

[dmroeder]

If Siemens uses broadcast packets to be discovered, they might not make it through the VPN. Are you able to ping the PLC from the local machine?

 

[AB11122]

Yes, we are able to ping it through the local machine. I cannot yet ping the PLC from my personal laptop using a VPN.

 

[PreLC]

Are you able to ping the local NIC of the PC you are remoting into?
Also, have you tried by disabling firewall briefly?

 

[dmroeder]

Yes, we are able to ping it through the local machine. I cannot yet ping the PLC from my personal laptop using a VPN.

Sorry, I misspoke, I meant to say your remote machine, you answered it though

 

[sigmadelta]

I was stepping away from the computer when I sent you the pdf document above.

A critical step is to set a route between the IP of the PLC and IP of the Teamviewer VPN:

Open a command prompt and use the following:
route add <IP of remote PLC> mask 255.255.255.255 <IP of Teamviewer VPN on remote PC> metric 1

I suggest you look at the whole document. Unfortunately, Teamviewer VPN isn't "magical" like other devices such as e W O N, Secomea, Moxa, etc.

 

[JesperMP]

Yes, follow the PDF.
Another critical step is that the PLC must already have the IP of the Teamviewer PC as its Router/Gateway (as is described in the PDF).
This also applies to dedicated VPN gateways such as E W O N et. al.
If that is not already done, you need to update the PLC hardware configuration with the Router/Gateway in some other way.
Easiest is to install a trial of STEP7 or TIA on the remote PC.

Also note this:

(we can use Step7 or the TIA Portal)

You cannot merely upload a program made with STEP7 Classic to TIA or vice-versa. The programming software must match what the original program was made with.