Choose PCS 7 V9.1 Computer, PC Station, and OS Project Names

For PCS 7 V9.1, plan Windows computer names before installing PCS 7 and SQL Server. Siemens requires the Windows computer name and SIMATIC PC Station name to match for an Engineering Station and OS/BATCH server, and its installation manual says the host name cannot be changed after PCS 7 installation without a new installation. The WinCC OS project name is a separate project identifier; the source reports it can be changed, with a full OS download afterward, but that requirement should be confirmed for the exact project and version.

Distinguish the four names

A PCS 7 installation can contain several different names that must not be treated as interchangeable: the Windows computer name, the SIMATIC PC Station name in the project, the WinCC OS project object name, and the symbolic computer name used for OS communication. The source screenshot is missing, so the labels marked “(2)” and “(4)” cannot be identified with certainty.

For PCS 7 V9.1 SP1, Siemens PC Configuration documentation states that the computer name and SIMATIC PC Station name must be identical when configuring an OS or BATCH server and an Engineering Station. The PCS 7 V9.1 Readme also says to set the Windows computer name before installing SQL Server as part of PCS 7, and that it cannot be changed afterward. By contrast, a WinCC OS project object name is a project identifier, not the Windows hostname.

Plan names for a migration or new network

Inventory the existing V8.0 project and the intended V9.1 computer roles: Engineering Station, primary and standby OS servers, and each OS client. Record the Windows hostname, SIMATIC PC Station name, OS project object name, project path, and symbolic name separately.
Choose the Windows computer names before installing PCS 7/SQL Server on any new or rebuilt computer. The V9.1 PC Configuration manual limits computer names to 15 characters and specifies permitted characters and capitalization; follow the exact rules in the installed version's manual.
For each ES and OS/BATCH server, set the SIMATIC PC Station name to match its Windows computer name. Configure the WinCC application type for the role (server, standby, or client) and map the target OS path and symbolic name to the intended computer.
Give each OS project object a clear, unique name within the multiproject. Keep project names distinct from hostnames and station names unless the PCS 7 object properties specifically require a match.
Configure new client and redundant-server station objects using the approved PCS 7 V9.1 configuration workflow. Regenerate or reassign OS server data where the topology or computer references change, then verify each client package and server relationship.
Before downloading a renamed or reconfigured OS project, back up the multiproject and confirm the target path, redundancy partner, symbolic names, and client assignments. The source reply says an OS project name can be changed but that a full OS download is then needed; confirm the exact full-download requirement in the version-matched manual and perform it under site change control.

Which names may be changed

The Windows hostname is installation-critical. For PCS 7 V9.1, plan it before PCS 7 installs SQL Server; the PC Configuration manual says a computer name cannot be changed after PCS 7 installation without a new installation. Do not rename an existing PCS 7 computer as a routine migration step.

The SIMATIC PC Station object name is an engineering configuration identifier and must match the host computer name for ES and OS/BATCH servers. For the OS clients and other project objects, follow the version-specific requirements shown in their Object Properties and configuration manual.

The WinCC OS project object name is separate from the PC host name. The forum answer reports that the OS project name can be changed and that a full download is required afterward. Since the screenshot and project model are absent and this claim was not confirmed in an opened PCS 7 manual, treat it as version-dependent until verified.

Verification

For each configured station, compare the actual Windows hostname with the SIMATIC PC Station name in the project and, for the ES and OS/BATCH servers, confirm they are identical as required by the V9.1 installation manual. Check that each WinCC application has the correct role and that its configured target OS path and symbolic computer name point to the intended host. Confirm server-data assignments for clients and redundancy partners. After an approved project rename, verify that the required full OS project is downloaded to each affected server and that both members of a redundant pair contain the intended project.

Limitations and Operational Precautions

The screenshot identifying the numbered names is absent, and the source does not describe exactly which project objects were renamed or whether the new stations are fresh installations or existing PCS 7 computers. The article therefore separates the identifiers and states only the documented host/station-name rule. The source-reported full-download requirement for OS project renaming must be checked against the installed release and project topology.

Renaming an installed PCS 7 host can break SQL Server and project associations. Do not alter Windows hostnames after PCS 7 installation based on this thread. Back up the project and coordinate changes to target paths, server data, and redundant OS projects with operations before downloading.

Engineer FAQ

Must the Windows hostname match the SIMATIC PC Station name? Siemens PCS 7 V9.1 SP1 documentation requires matching names when configuring an Engineering Station or OS/BATCH server.

Can I change the Windows hostname after PCS 7 is installed? Siemens PC Configuration documentation says the computer name cannot be changed after PCS 7 installation; plan the hostname before SQL Server and PCS 7 setup.

Can I choose new names for a new server or client? Choose them before installing PCS 7 on the new computer, then configure the project station and target paths using the release-specific PCS 7 procedure.

Is the OS project object name the same as the computer name? No. It is a project object identifier. Keep it distinct from host and PC Station names unless a specific configuration field requires correspondence.

Does renaming an OS project require a full download? The forum reply says yes, but the screenshot and project details are missing. Verify the exact requirement in the installed PCS 7 version's documentation before making the change.

Technical References

Siemens, PCS 7 – PC Configuration (V9.1 SP1) Installation Manual, 11/2021, section 5.3.3, “Name of the PC station.” It states the name-matching rule for ES and OS/BATCH servers, hostname conventions, and that the computer name cannot be changed after PCS 7 installation: PDF.
Siemens, PCS 7 Readme V9.1, section 3.4, “Microsoft SQL Server.” It says to set the computer name before SQL Server is installed with PCS 7: PDF.
Siemens, SIMATIC PCS 7 Operator Station (V9.1 SP1) Configuration Manual, section 6.1, for OS project types and their representation in SIMATIC Manager: PDF.

Choose PCS 7 V9.1 Computer, PC Station, and OS Project Names