FTP file transfer from computer to controller
October 2002
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
The file-oriented exchange of data with Simatic S7-300 controllers is made possible by the new Simatic Net CP 343-1IT communications processor from Siemens Automation and Drives (A&D). The module is equipped with FTP (file transfer protocol) communication services, which enable cross-platform data interchange without any additional overhead. The new communications processor can be used as FTP server or FTP client - as can the CP 443-1IT for the Simatic S7-400, which has been available for some time now. The 10 MB of memory for the file system can also be used as mass storage, for example for storing recipes in smaller-size plants.
The CP 343-1IT and CP 443-1IT modules allow Simatic S7-300 and Simatic S7-400 controllers to access, for example, a Unix-based server as FTP client in order to retrieve recipe data. Or the controllers can write production parameters in the embedded server of an intelligent device - for instance, torque values in a screwdriver controller. As FTP servers, the communications processors make current process data available to a mainframe on the management level. Access to the FTP server can be password-protected.
FTP is a communication service from TCP/IP, which has established itself as quasi-standard for communication over Ethernet networks. With FTP, files are transferred back and forth between two computers. Since a so-called TCP/IP stack with FTP functionality is available to, or integrated in, all popular operating systems, the S7-400 controllers and now the S7-300 controllers can exchange data with virtually any computer without additional overhead.
For more information contact Siemens Automation & Drives, 011 652 2137.
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