Compatibility Tool
Compatibility information for Automation and Drive Technology is available in the Compatibility Tool of the Industry Online Support.
The tool is designed to support you in questions about the compatibility of various hardware and software products. The database is constantly being extended.
The database is constantly being revised and extended. In addition, you can use the tool centrally to download the compatibility lists of the separate product lines as Excel files.
We would appreciate your feedback on the Compatibility Tool.
For this, please fill in and return the feedback form to assist us in the continuous development of the Compatibility Tool.
The table below contains the links to the Compatibility Tool and the feedback form.
Brief Instructions
To query the compatibility information you require, you must first choose a "master component" (WinCC, PCS 7, STEP 7, ...). To these "master components" you can add more components (such as operating systems, virus scanners, ...). Once you have chosen the components you require, you can have the compatibility list shown by hitting the "Show compatibility" button. A detailed description of the tool is available in the Online_Help.pdf file in the table below.
Compatibility Tool
Compatibility information for WinCC is available in the Compatibility Tool of the Industry Online Support.
The tool is designed to support you in questions about the compatibility of various hardware and software products.
The database is constantly being revised and extended. In addition, you can use the tool centrally to download the compatibility lists of the separate product lines as Excel files.
We would appreciate your feedback on the new Compatibility Tool.
For this, please fill in and return the feedback form.
The table below contains the link to the Compatibility Tool and the feedback form.
Brief Instructions To query the compatibility information you require, you must first choose a "master component" (WinCC, PCS 7, STEP 7, ...). To these "master components" you add more components (such as operating systems, virus scanners, other SIMATIC products, ...). Once you have chosen the components you require, you can have the compatibility list shown by hitting the "Show compatibility" button. A detailed description of the tool is available in the Online_Help.pdf file in the table below.
Warning
Release for operating system and Internet Explorer is only valid for WinCC. Please refer to the Release Notes for all other products.
For each version, please refer to the associated "Install Notes" and "Release Notes". Pay attention in particular to the software requirements for the Microsoft operating system and associated Microsoft Security Patches. More information about the Microsoft Security Patches is available in Entry ID: 18752994
SIMATIC WinCC V7.x is compatible with the following product versions:
In the case of WinCC V7.x, only the WinCC options supplied on the DVD are released for use in conjunction with the Basic Version of WinCC.
Notes on WinCC
Loading Microsoft Windows hotfixes and security patches is permitted, but this does not apply for the operating system service packs whose implementation with SIMATIC WinCC requires an explicit release. WinCC V6 cannot run on an embedded PC.
WinCC is not downwards compatible. This means you cannot operate a WinCC project created with WinCC version V6.0 SP4, for example, with a previous version of WinCC (WinCC V6.0 SP3 and earlier).
WinCC is generally upwards compatible. This means that if, for example, you have upgraded WinCC V6.0 to WinCC V6.0 SP4, you can also operate your WinCC V6.0 project with WinCC version V6.0 SP4. You can find notes on this in the "Migration" chapter in the WinCC Online Help.
Notes on WinCC Server and WinCC Client Constellations
For WinCC client-server systems, there are specific dependencies with regard to the versions of the Microsoft Windows operating system and the versions of WinCC. Refer to the notes given in the WinCC Information System under: Installation Notes > Installation Requirements > Software requirements for the installation. Notes on WinCC single-user systems are also available there.
With WinCC V7.0, you can also operate a WinCC server with Windows XP. You may only operate this server with a maximum of 3 clients. Operation of WinCC V7.0 with Windows XP as server is permitted only without options (Redundancy, for example). Note, too, that in this case Engineering is not permitted on the WinCC clients.
The same versions of the service packs for Windows NT 4.0 and Windows 2000 must be installed for the WinCC server and for the WinCC clients.
Perform a pure installation of Windows NT 4.0 or Windows 2000 for the WinCC server without options such as "Domain Controller" or "Active Directories". This is due to the high requirements in terms of performance and memory space which would otherwise arise.
Ensure that the operating systems in a WinCC client-server configuration are homogeneous with WinCC V5.x.
This means that if you operate the server side of WinCC with a Windows 2000 server, for example, then Windows 2000 Professional, Windows 2000 Server or Windows 2000 Advanced Server must also be installed on the WinCC client side.
Notes on using the Remote software on WinCC stations
Use of the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) is permitted exclusively for the teleservicing of WinCC Clients. In addition, there must be no server services enabled on those computers (WebNavigator Server, DataMonitor Server or OPC Server, for example).
The reason for this lies in the handling of Remote Desktop sessions by the Microsoft operating system.
You must use the RealVNC software for remote access to the other computers of a distributed WinCC plant (WinCC Server, for example).
Unlike PCS 7, the pcAnywhere software is not supplied withWinCC.
The Host version of pcAnywhere must be installed on a WinCC station if that WinCC station is to be remote controlled by another PC station with pcAnywhere.
The other PC station that remote controls the WinCC station needs the Remote version of pcAnywhere for remote control. For this you need the full version of pcAnywhere.
If you wish to use the full version of pcAnywhere from Symantec, then you have to procure the software.
The full version of pcAnywhere is not released on WinCC systems.
Make sure that you install pcAnywhere before WinCC.
Notes on using virus scanners on WinCC stations
Disable the integrated firewall of the virus scanners or do not install the firewall.
Do not run manual or time-controlled scans during Runtime mode.
In the case of automatic scanning, only monitor the incoming data traffic.
Scan only local drives.
Enable e-mail scanning only on WinCC Engineering Stations.
Disable display of dialog messages.
More important information, also regarding third-party software, is available in WinCC "Release Notes" and in the WinCC Online Help in the following paths.
As from WinCC V7.0: "WinCC Information System > Working with WinCC > Working with Projects > Making settings for Runtime > Influence of external applications on Runtime".
As from WinCC V6.0 SP3: "WinCC Information System > Working with WinCC > Working with Projects > Activating project > Settings for Runtime > External applications".
Notes on using Smart Tools in WinCC
How do you install WinCC Smart Tools? Entry ID: 10880206
What Smart Tools are there for WinCC (brief description)? Entry ID: 13681075
Notes for using OPC in WinCC The WinCC Help includes general notes on OPC, functionality, OPC specifications and compatibility. The Help also contains a detailed description of the WinCC version concerned, which OPC servers are available, the requirements for operation, how the OPC servers are used as well as sample configurations and commissioning notes. There is also a detailed description of how to use WinCC as OPC client in each version of WinCC.
More information is available in the WinCC Information System in this path:
WinCC Information System > Tools > OPC - Open Connectivity
More information, about how to program an OPC client with Visual Basic or C, for example, is available in the manual of the OPC specification concerned at www.opcfoundation.org.
Warning The following licenses are required for the WinCC OPC server:
WinCC OPC server
WinCC license
WinCC OPC DA server
WinCC Runtime license (WinCC RT or WinCC RC license)
WinCC OPC HDA server, WinCC OPC A&E server, WinCC OPC XML DA
WinCC Connectivity Pack license
WinCC OPC DA server, WinCC OPC HDA server, WinCC OPC A&E server
WinCC Connectivity Station license
Compatibility lists The table below shows the compatibility lists in the previous form.
WARNING The status of these lists is as at March 2013 and will no longer be revised and updated.
Contents
Link/Download
SIMATIC WinCC V7.2 is compatible with the following product versions:
WinCC V7.2 Compatibility List
( 75 KB )
SIMATIC WinCC V7.0 is compatible with the following product versions:
WinCC V7.0 Compatibility List
( 118 KB )
SIMATIC WinCC V6.2 is compatible with the following product versions:
WinCC V6.2 Compatibility List
( 76 KB )
SIMATIC WinCC V6.0 is compatible with the following product versions:
WinCC V6.0 Compatibility List
( 83 KB )
SIMATIC WinCC V5.x is compatible with the following product versions:
WinCC V5.x Compatibility List
( 71 KB )
Additional Keywords
Internet Explorer, IE, STEP 7, S7, SIMATIC NET, WebNavigator, ProAgent, WinBDE, Migration, Upgrade, 21927667, 15227707, 24122009, 33912473, 8795716, 11703924, 49382338, Remote service, Remote control, Additional software, Remote software, Remote diagnostics, Smart Tools, System requirements, Communication requirements, GMP, Pharma, Life Science, Validation, FDA 21 CFR Part 11
EasyLanguage adds a 'T' to empty ToolTips upon export
QUESTION:
Why, after importing the updated csv file with EasyLanguage, do all the previously empty ToolTips have a 'T'?
ANSWER:
This behavior occurs in versions of EasyLanguage < V5.0. When the image texts are exported into a csv-file with the EasyLanguage versions concerned, then a 'T' is added to all empty ToolTip fields. The current version V5.0 of EasyLanguage is on the WinCC V5 CD in the SmartTools -> CC_GraphicsTextImportExport path.
If you are using an older version of EasyLanguage and this case occurs, then there is a quick way of getting rid of the "T":
After import, select all the operable objects.
Then remove the ToolTip for all of them together.
Display/mask out first page/final page of the Dynamic wizard
QUESTION:
How can I display/mask out the first page and final page of the Dynamic wizard?
ANSWER:
When you call the Dynamic wizard, you have two options for masking out the first page and final page of the Dynamic wizard. In order to be able to display the first page and final page again, you must change an entry in the Registry:
Find the values "ShowFirstPage" and " ShowFinalPage":
If the values are set to "1", the first page and the final page are displayed.
If the values are set to "0", the first page and the final page are not displayed.
This check of the Registry is no longer necessary in WinCC V5 and higher. Here the check can be made in the Graphics Designer. In the "DynamicWizard" toolbar select any wizard with a right-click. The following dialog opens in which "Show first page " and "Show final page" should be selected.
IMPORTANT
In general, no warranty can be given for direct changes in the registry database, because this is entirely the responsibility of the user. In any case it is recommended to make a backup of the registry before proceeding as described below. Furthermore, these settings are computer-specific. This means that when copying the project to another computer, the settings have to be made again.
Warning "Object has no or empty type property" when using the Export Wizard
QUESTION: How can I clear the cause of the warning "Object
'Customizedobject1' has no or empty type property"?
ANSWER: Once you have used the Export Wizard to export a user object
into a CSV file the message "Object 'Customizedobject1' has no
or empty type property" is issued in the LOG file. Proceed as
follows to clear the cause of this error message:
In the Graphics Designer open the Configuration Dialog of the
Customized Object for which the warning was issued:
In the "Selected Properties" field select the entry
"UserDefined2".
Click the object and then double-click the property you wish to
use. The property is added below the "UserDefined2" node.
Right-click to open the context dialog of the new entry (in the
example "Circle1.Tooltip Text") and click "Properties" to open the
following dialog:
Now in the "Attribute Name" field you enter the character
string "type". Make sure that you use lowercase letters! The
choice of the name of the property is arbitrary.
QUESTION: What should I watch out for if I want to change the
communication between WinCC server and (multi-) client using the
"Communication Configurator"?
ANSWER: The "Communication Configurator" is located under "Start >
SIMATIC > WinCC > Tools". You can use it to set the
communication between WinCC server and the clients.
You must make the settings on all the computers, (multi-)
clients and server. The "Use high load operation mode" option must
only be used for 100Mbit/s networks (see figure). You must not use
this option in any other case.
If with the multi-client you go via several ISDN routers, you
must make sure to use the worst or lowest connection speed
available and set this on all computers.
Note: If the options of the dialog are changed, registry values are
changed. You must restart the computer to make these changes
effective.
The settings are computer-specific and do not apply for the
complete project.
Keywords: Network configuration, Protocols
WinCC Configuration Tool: Error message while reading large WinCC-Projects
QUESTION:
What is the reason for an error message like: "Out of memory"
while reading large WinCC-Projects (> 60MB) using the WinCC
Configuration Tool?
ANSWER:
This message is based on a system characteristic of Microsoft
Excel.
Microsoft Excel does limit the RAM capacity provided for the
work folders. This limitation is about 60MB for Microsoft Excel
2000. For Microsoft Excel XP, the limitation was raised to
ca. 160MB.
While reading in large WinCC projects with theWinCC Configuration
Tool, this limitation might be reached. In this case, Excel
triggers out a simple Messagebox "Out of memory".
Raising the RAM provided by the PC for the work storage does not
solve the problem.
Note:
Please note, that large WinCC Projects under Microsoft Excel XP can
only be successfully read with the WinCC Configuration Tool,
once WinCC V5.1 Hotfix 3 had been installed.
How can you make the menu item "WinCC" visible again in MS Excel when using the "WinCC Configuration Tool"?
Instructions: Despite correct installation of the "WinCC Configuration Tool" or the "WinCC Archive Configuration Tool" these items might be disabled by Excel with the "Automated safe mode" so that the menu items "WinCC" and "WinCC Archive" are not visible.
The Online Help of Microsoft Excel provides information on the "Safe Mode" of Microsoft Office; for example how to re-enable disabled elements.
Proceed as follows to re-enable the WinCC add-ins:
No.
Description
1
In Excel you select the menu item "Help > About Microsoft Office Excel". The "About Microsoft Excel" window opens.
2
In the "About Microsoft Excel" window click on the "Disabled Items..." button. The "Disabled Items" window opens in which the disabled add-ins are displayed.
3
In the "Disabled Items" list you select the item for the add-in to be activated, e.g. "WinCC", and click on the "Enable" button.
4
You must then restart Excel.
Presetting the maximum number of lines in the WinCC Configuration Tool
Configuration Notes: You can install the WinCC Smart Tools with the user-definedWinCC Setup when installing WinCC. In order to add or remove software components at a later date, you simply run the WinCC Setup again (in this case the procedure is similar to when you initially install WinCC).
Run WinCC Setup Insert the WinCC CD. Usually WinCC Setup starts automatically.
If WinCC Setup doesn't start automatically, start it manually:
In the case of an initial installation via "Control Panel > Software > Add New Program".
In the case of a retro-installation via "Control Panel > Software > Change or Remove Programs > SIMATIC WinCC Vx.x > Change/Remove".
Directly from the WinCC CD.
Select "Install SIMATIC WinCC".
Fig. 01
2
Run User-defined Setup
If reinstalling, you select the button for "User-defined Installation".
In the case of a retro-installation, you select the button for installing and uninstalling components.
Fig. 02
3
Select Smart Tools
In the "Select Components" dialog you select the "Smart Tools" component from the list on the left.
The available "Smart Tools" are then displayed in the selection window on the right. Now you can select the Smart Tools by checking the relevant option boxes. These Smart Tools are then installed upon completion of Setup.
Fig. 03
Note:
You might have to use the scroll bar to have the "Smart Tools" item displayed.
4
Continue installing Finish the installation procedure by pressing the "Next" button.
Installation of Smart Tools in WinCC V7.0
No.
Procedure
1
Run WinCC Setup Insert the WinCC DVD. Proceed as follows to start the WinCC Setup manually.
In the case of reinstallation, via "Control Panel > Software > Add New Program".
In the case of a retro-installation, via "Control Panel > Software > Change or Remove Programs > SIMATIC WinCC Vx.x > Change/Remove".
Directly from the WinCC DVD via "DVD drive > InstData > WinCC > setup > Setup.exe
2
Selection for Installation / Uninstallation Click on the button "Select the components for installation/uninstallation".
Fig. 04
3
Select Smart Tools
In the "Select Components" dialog you select the "Smart Tools" component from the list on the left.
The available "Smart Tools" are then displayed in the selection window on the right. Now you can select the Smart Tools by checking the relevant option boxes. These Smart Tools are then installed upon completion of Setup.
Fig. 05
Note:
You might have to use the scroll bar to have the "Smart Tools" item displayed.
4
Continue installing Finish the installation procedure by pressing the "Next" button.
Installation of Smart Tools in WinCC V7.0 SP1
No.
Procedure
1
Run WinCC Setup Insert the WinCC DVD. Proceed as follows to start the WinCC Setup manually.
In the case of reinstallation, via "Control Panel > Software > Add New Program".
In the case of a retro-installation, via "Control Panel > Software > Change or Remove Programs > SIMATIC WinCC Vx.x > Change/Remove".
Directly from the WinCC DVD via "DVD drive > Setup.exe
2
Select Package Installation / User-defined Installation Select the option "User-defined Installation" and confirm the selection the "Next" button.
Fig. 06
3
Select Tools
In the "WinCC Expert" dialog you can install the desired tools by checking the appropriate check boxes.
Fig. 07
Note:
You might have to use the scroll bar to have the "WinCC Expert" item displayed.
4
Continue installing Finish the installation procedure by pressing the "Next" button.
5
Select the Smart Tools You can select the Smart Tools during the WinCC Setup by selecting "Customized" for the scope of installation in the "SIMATIC WinCC Smart Tools Setup".
Fig. 08
In the Setup window that then opens, you can select the Smart Tools that you wish to install.
Fig. 09
Keywords: WinCC Tag Simulator, Communication Configurator, Cross Reference Wizard, WinCC Documentation Viewer, TAG Export/Import, Dynamic Wizard Editor, Add-ons, Additional software
Configuration Notes: A series of Smart Tools are supplied with WinCC. You can find these tools (if installed) by going to "Start > SIMATIC > WinCC > Tools".
In the WinCC Information System (Online Help) you will also find a detailed description under "Smart Tools".
WinCC Configuration Tool
After installation, help for this tool is available directly in Microsoft Excel under the menu item "WinCC".
The Configuration Tool is a simple and powerful tool for configuring mass data in WinCC. Microsoft Excel serves as user interface. In this way you can create, import and edit a WinCC project in Microsoft Excel. Here you can use the operating advantages offered to you by Microsoft Excel. You can use the Configuration Tool to configure the data of the Data Manager, Alarm Logging, Tag Logging and the Text Library.
WinCC Archive Configuration Tool The WinCC Archive Configuration Tool is an Excel add-In. The tool permits simply and powerful configuration of mass data for archiving WinCC process values.
Here, you can handle quantity frameworks for which the Tag Logging Editor provides insufficient support.
WinCC Cross Reference Wizard
This tool searches all scripts for picture names and tags and extends them such that they can be recognized by the WinCC component "Cross Reference".
This tool includes the functions of the "Script Upgrade" tool familiar from WinCC V 5.1.
WinCC Communication Configurator
The Communication Configurator was already available in previous versions. In WinCC V6.0 it is assigned to the Smart Tools. Using the Communication Configurator you can adapt the WinCC communication parameters to existing situations in order to ensure an optimum balance between interference susceptibility and connection stability.
Registration files OnIOff.reg, OnIOn.reg Using these two registration files you can display/hide the button for calling the "WinCC Online Help". With this step you can suppress a Windows operator control.
Export/Import Tags
The program exports all the connections, data structures and tags in corresponding CSV files from an open project. You can then import these into a second project. The CSV format permits you to process the files with a spreadsheet program before importing them again.
Tag Simulator
The tag simulator is used for simulating internal tags and process tags.
A typical field of application for the tag simulator is testing a configuration without process I/Os being connected, or with process I/Os connected but without the process running. If process I/Os are not connected, you can only simulate internal tags.
If process I/Os are connected, you can use the tag simulator to supply the process tags directly with values. This permits you to run a function test of the HMI system with the original hardware.
Another possible field of application for the tag simulator is in producing a project for demonstration purposes. Often there is no system connection available for presenting the HMI system, so here the simulator controls the internal tags.
Dynamic Wizard Editor
You can use the Dynamic Wizard Editor to create your own Dynamic Wizard. Dynamic Wizards are used to automate frequently recurring configuration processes.
WinCC Documentation Viewer
Print jobs of the WinCC logging system can be diverted into a file. In the case of large volumes of data, one file is created for each log page. You can use the WinCC Documentation Viewer to display and print these files.
SmartTools up to WinCC V6.x
EasyLanguage
EasyLanguage is a tool for exporting and importing language-dependent objects in and out of process images of WinCC. It helps when creating multilingual pictures by providing the option of translating language-dependent objects outside WinCC. Objects and user objects managed by the WinCC Text Library are not processed by EasyLanguage.
SmartTools up to WinCC V5.x
UnlockMultiUse
In a multiuser system it is possible to configure from different computers. Some editors can only be started once project-wide. If one of these editors is started, then WinCC locks starting of this editor on the other computers of the same project. Once the editor is closed, WinCC automatically releases the lock.
Now the error case might arise when this lock is not released. The cause of this, for example, could be interruption of the network connections.
UnlockMultiUse clears such locking situations.
ScriptUpgrade
ScriptUpgrade searches scripts for picture names/tags and upgrades the scripts so that the WinCC Cross Reference component finds the picture names/tags and puts them in the cross-reference list.
Redundancy Test Tools: DCOMTest and RtFileView
DCOMTest:
For checking the DCOM connection between two computers. RtFileView:
For reading out important redundancy data and checking the aligning procedure of the failure times and aligned measuring points.
Address List Import
Text address lists exported from KOMED (COROS LS-B) or PMCPRO (SIMATIC-S5) can be imported into the WinCC database using Address List Import.
Address List Import also permits you to edit block access paths in text address lists from PMCPRO (SIMATIC-S5).
Note:
Please also refer to the following entries on the topic of "WinCC Smart Tools":
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