Description
In SIMATIC WinCC flexible, you can have the following PC diagnostics data displayed via internal tags:

• Temperature display of the CPU or mainboard
• Display of operating and error status of available fans
• Display of operating or error status of any available UPS (uninterruptible power supply)
• Display of operating and error status of any available PLC software (WinAC RTX)

There are different procedures for displaying the diagnostics data in WinCC flexible for SIMATIC IPCs of the B and C generations.

• IPCs of the B generation
• IPCs of the C generation

Function of SIMATIC IPCs of the C generation

The SIMATIC IPC DiagMonitor with order number "6ES7648-6CA04-2YX0" is available for evaluating the diagnostics data with SIMATIC IPCs of the C generation.

If the SIMATIC IPC DiagMonitor is installed on the SIMATIC IPC, the a sample WinCC flexible project is installed during the Setup routine.
The sample project is located in the installation path. If the default path is used for the installation, the "DMV4OPCWinCCFlex2008.zip" file is in the following path: "C:\Program Files\Siemens\DiagnosticsManagement\OPC Samples".

Furthermore, a text file is also stored in this path. This text file describes how you can parameterize the DiagMonitor in conjunction with the sample project.
The text file is "readmeWinCCflexible.txt".

Function of SIMATIC IPCs of the B generation

1. Requirements and function
   1.1 Hardware Requirements
   1.2 Software Requirements
   1.3 Compatibility
   1.4 Function
2. Configuration in WinCC flexibleand OCX registration
   2.1 Content of pictures in the WinCC flexible sample project
   2.2 Content of the scripts in the WinCC flexible sample project
   2.3 Notes on integrating the sample project in an existing project
3. Verification of the sample project
4. Download

1. Requirements and function
Specific hardware and software requirements must be met for evaluating the PC diagnostics data.

1.1 Hardware requirements

• SIMATIC Microbox 427B, Panel PC 477B
• SIMATIC Box PC 627B, SIMATIC Panel PC 677B
• SIMATIC Box PC 827B
• SIMATIC Panel PC 577B
• SIMATIC Rack PC 847B

1.2 Software requirements

• SIMATIC PC DiagBase
  SIMATIC PC DiagBase is freeware that accesses the PC's hardware and provides data like the temperature of the CPU or mainboard in a Windows application. SIMATIC PC DiagBase is the successor to the previous PC diagnostics software "SOM". SIMATIC PC DiagBase is available for downloading in Entry ID 29316343.
• PC DiagBridge (PCDiagBridge.exe)
  The freeware PC DiagBridge is an ActiveX application that provides a programming interface. You can install the software on the SIMATIC Industrial PCs listed above. The diagnostics data is provided via a COM interface. You can download the software at the end of this entry under Download.
• WinCCTrigger.ocx
  The "WinCCTrigger.ocx" is an ActiveX control needed to call the WinCC flexible script cyclically every 2 seconds. The ActiveX control is included in the Download and must be registered on both the configuration PC and the SIMATIC PC.
• WinCC flexible Runtime
  WinCC flexible Runtime must be installed in order to be able to start the WinCC flexible project. WinCC flexible Runtime is subject to license.
• BIOS version
  The hardware diagnostics data depends on the BIOS version, because the "DiagBase API" accesses the BIOS. A BIOS update might be required to be able to evaluate the diagnostics data completely. The "Readme" file of the PC DiagBase gives you the BIOS version required.

1.3 Compatibility
The following table shows the compatibility between PCDiag and PCDiagBase.
 

Software	PCDiag V1.0	PCDiag V1.1.1	Object 1)
PCDiagBase V1.0	x	-	PCDiag.cPCDiag
PCDiagBase V1.1	-	x
PCDiagBase V1.2	-	x	PCDiagBridge.cPCDiag

1)	In the "PCDiagBridge" script, you need the relevant object designation in line 19 for "CreateObject". Example Set PCDiag = CreateObject(PCDiag.cPCDiag)

1.4 Function
Both software components, PC DiagBase and PC DiagBridge, must be installed on the PC system in order to be able read out the diagnostics data. PC DiagBridge (PCDiagBridge.exe) cannot run without PC DiagBase. In principle, from the user side, WinCC flexible cannot access DLLs (Dynamic Link Library), which is why you need the PC DiagBridge (PCDiagBridge.exe) software. This software serves as a bridge between the system information and WinCC flexible. The ActiveX control "WinCC.Trigger.ocx" starts the "PCDiag Bridge" script cyclically. Data exchange is via the script with PC DiagBridge (PCDiagBridge.exe) and writes the data directly to the internal tag of WinCC flexible. Communication via the script is bidirectional. The PC DiagBridge (PCDiagBridge.exe) software component handles the complete data exchange with the other software and hardware components.

Fig. 01- Technologieschema

Notes

1. In addition to the information from SIMATIC PC DiagBase, PC DiagBridge also provides information on the status of any SITOP UPS connected and any WinAC RTX installed.
2. Detailed information on PC DiagBridge is available in the associated "Readme" file.
3. It is only possible to provide data in PC DiagBridge if SIMATIC PC DiagBase is installed on the system.

2. Configuration in WinCC flexible and OCX registration
 

No.	Procedure
1	Download the sample project Download the file "WinCC_flexible_Projects_PC_Diagnostic.zip" under Download at the end of this entry. Note: The download contains sample projects for PC 427B, PC 627B and PC 847B.
2	Open the sample project Unpack the compressed files. Open the relevant project for the system concerned. Note: The three sample projects differ in the configuration only through the different hardware of the PC systems concerned.
3	Register OCX Trigger You must register the ActiveX control "WinCCTrigger.ocx" on the configuration PC and on the SIMATIC PC. Copy the "WinCCTrigger.ocx" file (contained in the Download) into the folder "C:\Windows\system32" or "C:\WINNT\system32" (in the Windows installations directory) on your hard disk. In the Windows Start menu you click on "Run..." and enter the command line "regsvr32 WinCCTrigger.ocx". Fig. 02 - Ausführen You get the following message after successful registration: Fig. 03 - Registrierungs-Meldung Background OCX Trigger is an ActiveX control that is needed to call the current data cyclically. ActiveX control is stored on the "Template" picture of WinCC flexible. Only pictures that use this picture template are updated cyclically.
5	Download and install PC DiagBase Download the free software SIMATIC PC DiagBase from Entry ID 29316343. Unpack the compressed ZIP file. Install SIMATIC PC DiagBase on your SIMATIC PC by clicking on "Setup.exe".

2.1 Content of pictures in the WinCC flexible sample project

"Template" picture
OCX Trigger is stored on the template. Once the ActiveX control (OCX Trigger) has been enabled successfully, a stroke of lightning is displayed in a box. The OCX Trigger calls the PCDiagBase script cyclically every 2 seconds.

Fig. 04 - Vorlage

"Start" picture
In the Start picture you call the diagnostics picture via the "PC Diagnostic" button. In addition you can have system messages displayed and change the language.

Fig. 05

"PC Diagnostic" picture
The sample project contains a diagnostics picture with the following contents (depending on the sample project used):

Fig. 06 - Diagnosebild

• Temperature monitoring
  If one or more temperature measurements are available for the system used, these are displayed as IO fields and as a bar chart. The dashed yellow line in the bar chart shows the lower limit value and the red dashed line the upper limit value.
• Hard disks
  The static and dynamic (S.M.A.R.T.) tags are displayed.
• Fans
  If fans are in the system, the speeds are displayed as IO fields with the associated limit values. In addition, each fan is shown with a status display.
• Voltage monitoring
  With SIMATIC PCs the status of the CMOS backup battery is monitored and the number of operating hours displayed. If the CMOS voltage is correct, this is indicated by "OK" in a green box.
• Monitoring of SITOP UPS
  If a SITOP UPS is connected, the LEDs on the front of the UPS light to indicate this.
• Monitoring and controlling the WinAC RTX
  When using a WinAC RTX on the system, the status of the WinAC LEDs can be displayed. You use the "Run" and "Stop" buttons to put the WinAC into the respective modes.

2.2 Content of scripts in the WinCC flexible sample project

PC DiagBridge
This script is called cyclically by the OCX Trigger stored on the picture template. With each trigger the script fetches the current values of PC DiagBridge.

Celsius2Fahrenheit
The script converts the temperatures from °C to °F. The temperatures are displayed in degrees Celsius by default. This script must be called in the PC DiagBridge script in order to have the temperatures displayed in degrees Fahrenheit. This script must be called in lines 37, 38 and 39 (see example).

Example
SmartTags("VarPCDiag\LocalPCActTemperature")(i) = Celsius2Fahrenheit(PCDiag.TemperatureCurrent(CLng(i)))

2.3 Notes on integrating the sample project in an existing project
You should note the following when integrating the sample WinCC flexible project into an existing project:

• The OCX Trigger must be stored on the template so that the diagnostics data can be called cyclically.
• The PC DiagBridge script must be copied into the project.
• The relevant tags must be copied or created.

3. Verification of the sample project
 

No.	Procedure
1	Create WinCC flexible Runtime Create the WinCC flexible Runtime by clicking on "Generate" icon in the toolbar. Fig. 07 - Projekt generieren
2	Start WinCC flexible Runtime Loader (SIMATIC PC) Start the "WinCC flexible Runtime Loader" on your SIMATIC PC. Click the "Settings" button. Fig. 08 - RT Loader
3	Configure WinCC flexible Runtime Loader (SIMATIC PC) In the Settings dialog you configure the relevant connection for project transfer on your SIMATIC PC. The click "OK" to close the dialog. Finally, you click "Transfer" in the RT Loader (see Fig. 08). Fig. 09 - Einstellungen im RT Loader
4	Start WinCC flexible Runtime Click on "Transfer settings" (1) in the toolbar. Configure your connection (2) for the project transfer. Transfer the Runtime (3) to your SIMATIC PC. Fig. 10 - Transfer-Einstellungen
5	Check the PC Diagnostics picture Go to the "PC Diagnostic" picture and check for proper functioning. Fig. 11 - WinCC flexible RT-Projekt If a WinAC RTX is installed on the system, you can check the correct function by pressing the "Run" or "Stop" button. You can open PC DiagBridge and SIMATIC PC DiagBase to compare the diagnostic values. Fig. 12 - PC DiagBase

4. Download
Attachment 1 contains three sample projects for the PC system concerned and the ActiveX object "WinCCTrigger.ocx".

 Attachment 1: WinCC_flexible_Projects_PC_Diagnostic.zip ( 6788 KB )

Entry ID: 29316343 you can download the "SIMATIC PC DiagBase" software free of charge.

In Entry ID: 42674746 you can download the "SIMATIC PC DiagBridge" software free of charge.

Note
The "Readme" file contains more information on installing and on the hardware and software requirements.

Runnability and test environment
The following table lists the components that have been used to create this entry and verify the functions described.
 

Components	Product and version designation
PC operating system	Microsoft Windows XP SP2
Standard tools	PCDiag V0.1 with DiagBase V1.0 PCDiagBridge V1.1.1 with DiagBase V1.1
Engineering tool	STEP 7 V5.4 SP3
HMI software	WinCC flexible 2007 HF4
HMI system	Microbox 427B Box PC 627

Keywords
System evaluation, System information, OCX control = ActiveX control, SMART or S.M.A.R.T.= Self Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology