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How to Configure and Program the SIMATIC CN 4100 Communication Node in PCS 7

How to Configure and Program the SIMATIC CN 4100 Communication Node in PCS 7

To integrate and program the SIMATIC CN 4100 communication node within SIMATIC PCS 7, you must combine Web-Based Management (WBM) network configuration with the dedicated PCS 7 CN 4100 Block Library in CFC. The CN 4100 operates as an intelligent communication gateway connecting PCS 7 to third-party protocols such as Modbus TCP and OPC UA without loading Automation System (AS) controller communication processors. You configure physical Ethernet ports and protocol translation rules inside the CN 4100 onboard web interface, import the device GSDML file into HW Config, and instantiate the official driver blocks (CnModbus, CnDiag) in CFC to cyclically read and write mapped process signals with native APL signal status.

Table of Contents

Architecture and Role of the SIMATIC CN 4100 Node

The SIMATIC CN 4100 is a compact, DIN-rail mounted communication appliance engineered specifically to modernize fieldbus and subsystem connectivity in SIMATIC PCS 7 and TIA Portal:
* The Controller Offloading Principle: Traditional communication with third-party devices (such as smart power meters, packaged skids, and analyzers) required CP 443-1 modules and custom S7 communication programming (BSEND/BRCV, AG_SEND/AG_RECV). This consumed significant CPU work memory and communication connection resources.
* Intelligent Edge Translation: The CN 4100 features four independent Gigabit Ethernet interfaces:
- Interface X1 (Port 1 & 2): Connects to the PCS 7 Plant Bus or PROFINET network.
- Interface X2 (Port 3 & 4): Connects to isolated third-party device networks (Modbus TCP servers, OPC UA servers/clients).
* Deterministic Process Image: The CN 4100 buffers external protocol data, performs cyclic integrity checks, and presents the information directly to the AS 410 CPU as standardized I/O words with 8-bit signal status bytes.

Initial Network Setup via Web-Based Management (WBM)

Before configuring PCS 7 engineering tools, initialize the hardware gateway:

  1. Connect an engineering laptop directly to Port X1P1 of the CN 4100.
  2. Set the laptop network adapter to the default factory subnet: 192.168.1.100, Subnet Mask 255.255.255.0.
  3. Open a web browser and navigate to the default factory IP address: https://192.168.1.1.
  4. Log into the Web-Based Management console using default administrator credentials. When prompted, change the master password to comply with plant security standards.
  5. In the WBM navigation tree, select Network > IP Settings:
    - Assign static IP addresses and subnet masks to Interfaces X1 (Plant Bus side) and X2 (Subsystem side).
    - Ensure the subnets on X1 and X2 are strictly separated to prevent network bridging loops.
  6. Under Application Settings, select your active protocol mode: Modbus TCP Client, Modbus TCP Server, or OPC UA Client.
  7. Define the address mapping table: map third-party register addresses (e.g., Modbus Holding Registers 40001–40100) to internal CN 4100 process image byte offsets.
  8. Save and restart the communication engine.

HW Config Integration and GSDML Import

To make the CN 4100 accessible to SIMATIC Manager:

  1. Download the latest GSDML file for SIMATIC CN 4100 from Siemens Industry Online Support (SIOS Entry ID 109813437).
  2. In SIMATIC Manager, open HW Config.
  3. Select Options > Install GSD Files, browse to the extracted folder, and install the GSDML.
  4. In the hardware catalog, expand PROFINET IO > Gateway > SIMATIC CN 4100.
  5. Drag and drop the CN 4100 head module onto your AS controller's PROFINET IO system.
  6. Open object properties and assign the exact PROFINET device name configured in the WBM.
  7. Insert the input/output data modules (e.g., Input 64 Bytes, Output 32 Bytes) matching your WBM mapping table.
  8. Save and compile HW Config.

Method: Programming CFC Charts with the CN 4100 Library

Siemens provides a dedicated PCS 7 library containing channel drivers and diagnostic blocks for the CN 4100:

  1. Install the SIMATIC PCS 7 CN 4100 Block Library onto the Engineering Station.
  2. In SIMATIC Manager, copy the block types (CnDiag, CnModbus, CnChannel) into your project's Master Data Library.
  3. Open the target CFC chart.
  4. Place the diagnostic block CnDiag in a cyclic interrupt task (OB32 or OB35). Connect its hardware identifier input LADDR to the diagnostic address of the CN 4100 configured in HW Config.
  5. Place the communication block CnModbus in the same task:
    - Connect the I/O word addresses from HW Config to the block input words (InWord_01 to InWord_N).
    - The block automatically separates raw values into elementary process variables (REAL, INT, BOOL) and generates IEEE-compliant 8-bit signal status bytes (ST := 16#80 for valid data; 16#00 for communication faults).
  6. Interconnect the output values to standard APL blocks (such as MonAnL for analog displays or MotL for motor feedback).
  7. Run the PCS 7 Module Driver Generator during CFC compilation. The system automatically inserts diagnostic interconnects to MOD_D1 and RACK blocks.

Verification

To confirm that the CN 4100 is communicating and delivering valid process variables:

  1. In the CN 4100 Web-Based Management console, navigate to Diagnostics > Connection Status:
    - Verify that the Modbus TCP/OPC UA socket status indicates Connected.
    - Confirm that the telegram error counter remains at zero.
  2. In HW Config, switch to PLC > Monitor/Modify. Inspect the input peripheral words; confirm that dynamic data values update continuously.
  3. In the CFC editor, switch to Test Mode. Inspect the CnModbus block:
    - Verify that output process values match field instrument readings.
    - Confirm that output signal status ST displays 16#80 (Good).
  4. Simulate a field cable disconnection on Interface X2. Confirm that within 1 second, the CFC block sets Bad := TRUE, signal status drops to 16#00, and an alarm generates in WinCC.

Limitations and Operational Precautions

  • Subnet Separation: Never connect Interface X1 and Interface X2 to the same physical switch or VLAN. The CN 4100 does not perform IP routing, but bridging subnets creates broadcast loops and DCOM interference.
  • Firmware Update Restarts: Upgrading the CN 4100 firmware via WBM restarts the hardware node, temporarily interrupting fieldbus data acquisition for 30 to 60 seconds. Schedule updates during maintenance shutdowns.
  • Max Telegram Capacity: The CN 4100 supports up to 512 bytes of cyclic PROFINET input data and 512 bytes of output data per node. Exceeding this boundary requires deploying a second CN 4100 unit.

Engineer FAQ

Can the CN 4100 communicate with redundant S7-400H PROFINET rings?
Yes. The CN 4100 supports system redundancy (S2 redundancy), allowing it to connect directly to dual-redundant PROFINET networks on AS 410-5H controllers.

Do I need a separate license for the PCS 7 CN 4100 Block Library?
Yes. While the GSDML file and hardware WBM are free, the PCS 7 CFC driver library requires an engineering and runtime license key managed via Automation License Manager.

Can I configure the CN 4100 if the default IP address 192.168.1.1 is already used on my plant network?
Yes. Use the primary Proneta software utility or SIMATIC Primary Setup Tool (PST) via MAC address discovery to assign an initial custom IP address before connecting to the plant network.

Technical References

  • Siemens Industry Online Support Entry ID 109813437: SIMATIC CN 4100 Communication Node Operating Instructions
  • Siemens SIMATIC CN 4100 Hardware Manual (Document No. A5E51429037)
  • Siemens Industry Online Support Entry ID 109812806: SIMATIC PCS 7 Advanced Process Library (APL) Function Manual

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Related Tags

  • https://industrialautomation.net/search?query=simatic-cn4100
  • https://industrialautomation.net/search?query=modbus-tcp
  • https://industrialautomation.net/search?query=profinet
  • https://industrialautomation.net/search?query=simatic+pcs7
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