Communication; Communication Availability; Programming And Configuration - Siemens SIMATIC S7-400H Manual

S7-400H Installation Options
2.3

Communication

For communication tasks on the S7-400H you can use almost any communications
components offered in the SIMATIC system range.
This applies to communication components used either with central I/O or
distributed I/O such as
• system busses (Industrial Ethernet)
• point-to-point connection

Communication availability

You can vary the availability of communications with the S7-400H. There are
different solutions for the S7-400H in keeping with your communication
requirements. They range from a simple linear network structure to a redundant
optical two-fiber loop.
Fault-tolerant communication over PROFIBUS or Industrial Ethernet is supported
entirely with S7 communication functions.

Programming and configuration

Apart from the use of additional hardware components, there are basically no
differences with regard to configuration and programming compared to standard
systems. Fault-tolerant connections have to be configured only; specific
programming is not necessary.
All communication functions required for operating fault-tolerant communications
have been integrated in the operating system of the fault-tolerant CPU and run
automatically and in the background – for example, monitoring of the
communication connection or automatic switching to a redundant connection in the
event of a malfunction.
Further information
You will find detailed information on the subject of communications with the
S7-400H in Chapter 8.
2-6
Automation System S7-400H Fault-tolerant Systems
A5E00068197-07