QUESTION:
With what and how do I configure the hardware for a PROFIBUS-DP master/slave communication?

ANSWER:
Basically you have two options for configuring a PROFIBUS-DP master-slave communication. For this you can use either COM PROFIBUS or STEP 7. . Both configuration tools provide a wide range of devices for DP masters and slaves. If your slave is not available, then you can add this slave to the hardware catalog of each tool via a GSD file. You can procure the GSD files from the Internet pages of Customer Support under
"Automation Systems > SIMATIC Distributed I/O > GSD Files" in the "Download" tab.

Note:
PROFIBUS-DP master devices cannot be added subsequently in this way. For this you always have to install the latest version of STEP 7 or COM PROFIBUS.

Further information can be obtained from the manual "Configuring Hardware and Communication Connections with STEP 7 V5.3" under Entry-ID: 18652631. It lists important notes for the configuration of PROFIBUS-DP Networks. Moreover,you get detailed information on your DP slave from internet pages of the Customer Support under:
"Automation systems > SIMATIC Distributed Periphery  > /your DP-Slave/" in tab "manuals/BA".

Keywords:
Hardware configuration, System configuration