Fault-Tolerant Plant Bus - Siemens SIMATIC PCS 7 Function Manual

License key for AS communication
Depending on the network adapters used, you need a license key for PC stations with
communication to the AS:
Network adapter
Standard Ethernet network adapter
Standard Ethernet network adapter with fault-tol‐
erant connections
When using SIMATIC NET CP (e.g. CP 1623)
When using SIMATIC NET CP (e.g. CP 1623) with
fault-tolerant connections.
Additional information
● You can find approved network adapters in the Catalog Overview
PCS 7; Released Modules
● Documentation
3.3.4.2

Fault-tolerant plant bus

The plant bus connects automation systems to servers (OS server, Route Control server). The
connection to a fault-tolerant plant bus is implemented with Ethernet communications
processors (CPs) that are installed in each subsystem of the automation system and in the
servers.
fault-tolerant plant bus can be set up in a ring structure with network components of SIMATIC
NET. The network components ensure unrestricted operation of the plant bus. For example,
a broken cable in the connection between the modules is tolerated and communication remains
uninterrupted.
If the plant bus is disrupted, no process data are transferred between the servers and the
automation systems or between the automation systems themselves.
Fault-tolerant communication solutions
The following communication solutions are offered to prevent a possible failure:
● Ring structure in an electrical network.
The connection to the switches is electrical.
● Ring structure in an optical network with switches and FO cable.
The connection to the switches is electrical or optical.
● Ring structure in a combined network with optical and electrical switches and a FO cable.
The connection to the switches is electrical.
● Ring structures as optical, electrical and combined networks with transmission rates up to
1 Gbps based on modular SCALANCE X switches
The use of switches from the SCALANCE series is recommended. Modules for optical and
electrical connection are available for these switches.
Fault-tolerant Process Control Systems (V8.1)
Function Manual, 11/2014, A5E34878832-AA
Process Control System PCS 7; PCS 7 Readme
Fault-tolerant Solutions in PCS 7
3.3 Solutions for communication
License key
BCE
From product: SOFTNET-IE S7 REDCONNECT
VM
Industrial Ethernet
From product: HARDNET-IE S7 REDCONNECT
Process Control System
61