Configuring SIMATIC PDM Web Server and Maintenance Faceplate Integration in PCS 7

In SIMATIC PCS 7 v8.1 SP1, opening the SIMATIC PDM device parameterization interface directly from an OS client maintenance faceplate requires the 'SIMATIC PDM Server' option package and its associated Web Server Configurator. The utility 'SIMATIC PDM Web Server Configurator' is not installed by base PDM packages; it is provided exclusively with the SIMATIC PDM Server license and installation. Once Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) with ASP.NET support is enabled, running pdmwebcfg.exe registers PDM Web endpoints, allowing OS clients to launch device diagnostics over HTTP/HTTPS.

Architecture of PDM Integration with PCS 7 Maintenance Station

In SIMATIC PCS 7, the Maintenance Station (MS) provides plant asset management, displaying real-time diagnostic health statuses (NAMUR NE 107) for intelligent field instruments (HART, PROFIBUS DP/PA, PROFINET).

When an operator or instrument technician clicks on a field device block icon in WinCC, the maintenance faceplate offers a button to launch SIMATIC PDM (Process Device Manager). In a multi-client architecture:
* OS Clients cannot maintain independent local PDM device databases.
* Instead, the Engineering Station or a dedicated server acts as a SIMATIC PDM Web Server.
* When the technician requests device parameterization, the faceplate opens a secure web portal (SIMATIC PDM Web) hosted on Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS), streaming the Electronic Device Description (EDD) interface directly to the client browser.

Why the Web Server Configurator is Missing from Base Installations

A common misconception arises when engineers install SIMATIC PDM from the standard PCS 7 DVD:
* Base PDM Single Point / Engineering: Standard PDM packages (6ES7658-3...) install the local desktop application used within STEP 7 HW Config on the ES. They do not install the Web Server service or configurator.
* SIMATIC PDM Server Option: To enable client access from maintenance faceplates, the dedicated software package SIMATIC PDM Server (6ES7658-3TX...) must be installed.
* If PDM Server is not installed, the tool SIMATIC PDM Web Server Configurator does not exist on disk, causing setup confusion.

Prerequisites: Microsoft IIS and ASP.NET Configuration

Before running the PDM Server Configurator, the host Windows operating system must have the Microsoft IIS web server components configured:

Windows Feature CategoryRequired Feature ComponentOperational PurposeInternet Information ServicesWeb Management Tools > IIS Management ConsoleEnables local web server administration.World Wide Web ServicesApplication Development Features > ASP.NET 4.5Executes PDM Web server-side scripting.Common HTTP FeaturesDefault Document, Directory Browsing, Static ContentServes static EDD graphic resources and web pages.SecurityWindows Authentication, Request FilteringAuthenticates operator client credentials against OS security.WCF ServicesHTTP Activation, TCP Port SharingEnables Windows Communication Foundation messaging.

Table 1: Microsoft Windows features required for SIMATIC PDM Web Server.

Executing SIMATIC PDM Web Server Configurator (pdmwebcfg.exe)

Once IIS features and the PDM Server package are installed:

Locate the Configurator:
* Navigate to the PDM installation directory: C:\Program Files (x86)\Siemens\SIMATIC_PDM\bin\.
* Locate the executable: pdmwebcfg.exe.
* Alternatively, access via Windows Start: Siemens Automation > SIMATIC > SIMATIC PDM > SIMATIC PDM Web Server Configurator.
Execute Configuration:
* Right-click pdmwebcfg.exe and select Run as Administrator.
* The tool automatically registers the PDM Web application pool inside IIS.
* It configures application endpoints, creates the virtual directory /PDMWeb, and establishes HTTPS/HTTP bindings.
Configure User Permissions:
* Add the Windows accounts of authorized maintenance technicians to the local Windows user group SIMATIC PDM.
Compile Maintenance Station:
* In SIMATIC Manager, perform an OS compile for the Maintenance Station. WinCC faceplates now point to the validated PDM Web URL.

Verification

To confirm proper PDM Web Server operation:

Open Internet Explorer on an OS Client station.
Enter the PDM Web address: http://<ES_Server_Name>/PDMWeb/.
Confirm that the SIMATIC PDM portal opens and prompts for Windows Authentication.
In WinCC Runtime on the OS Client, open a maintenance faceplate for a HART transmitter (e.g., SITRANS P).
Click the SIMATIC PDM button: verify that the device parameterization view opens seamlessly inside the faceplate window displaying live transmitter parameters.

Limitations and Operational Precautions

Operating SIMATIC PDM Server requires dedicated licensing: SIMATIC PDM Basic, PDM Server, and client access licenses (6ES7658-3TX...). Always validate licensing packages with an authorized Siemens distributor.
Do not alter the IIS Application Pool settings for PDMWeb manually unless directed by Siemens technical support; unauthorized changes will break faceplate integration.
Ensure firewall rules permit HTTP (port 80) or HTTPS (port 443) traffic between OS clients and the PDM Web Server.

Engineer FAQ

Can SIMATIC PDM Web Server run on a dedicated computer?

Yes. PDM Server can run on the Engineering Station or on a standalone server connected to the plant bus and terminal bus.

Can operators modify field device parameters without passwords?

No. SIMATIC PDM enforces role-based access control. Parameter write privileges can be restricted in WinCC User Administrator to certified instrument engineers.

Does PDM Web require installing PDM on every OS client machine?

No. The primary advantage of PDM Server is that clients require only a standard web browser and the WinCC client software; no PDM software or EDD catalogs need to be installed on client PCs.