We've got a customer requesting we setup Ignition to connect with an S7-1500, and we don't have experience with it. At this point, we will only be reading data from the PLC, no writes.
Do I just connect to the OPC-UA server?
Do I use the Siemens Driver that comes as part of the core drivers?
Do I need the Siemens Enhanced Driver?
Direct OPC UA connection or Siemens Enhanced are the best options. Make sure you're on the latest 8.3 if you go the Siemens Enhanced route, and upgrade to 8.3.9 when it's available.
Kevin beat me to it, but I'll post anyway-
If you're accessing optimized datablocks, you'll need OPC UA or the Siemens Enhanced driver. If you're not accessing optimized datablocks, you can probably get by with the older drivers, but configuring tags won't be pleasant.
Make sure the PLC firmware is up to date. v4.0.x on the 1500 has a tendency to drop connections when using the Enhanced driver. If I had to guess, there's also a bunch of OPC UA issues addressed since some of the older versions as well.
No idea if optimized datablocks will be there or not. We're not handling any of that side.. it's all coming in as part of the bigger system.
I'll throw the Enhanced Driver in the quote in case we need it. Doesn't make much diff in the price.
Thank you both.
Ok.. and of course, they come back today and have changed their mind about what they are supplying... S7-1200 with version 21 appears to be what will be showing up... Does that change anything?
Version 21 must be the TIA Portal version, not the firmware version.
Whether you go OPC UA or driver depends on the number of tags. Probably driver... the 1200s are wimpy little things.
Yes, they did say software version.
Would that be the standard or enhanced driver?
Enhanced. I can't imagine new projects getting started with the old driver. It requires you turn a bunch of insecure settings on in the PLC and disable optimized blocks.
Thanks!