How to Upgrade CPU 410 Process Object Licenses in Automation License Manager

For a CPU 410-5H process-object (PO) upgrade, the CPU 410 expansion-pack license must be transferred to the target AS 410 in Automation License Manager (ALM), then selected from that AS's Online folder before License Key > Upgrade becomes available. Selecting the pack while it remains only in its source location or the AS/project node does not follow Siemens' documented sequence. The command creates a PO activation file; the upgrade is completed later by transferring Siemens' PO release file.

Prerequisites

Siemens' PCS 7 V8.2 application example documents the online PO upgrade for PCS 7 V8.1 or higher, CPU 410-5H firmware V8.1 or higher (also configured at that version or higher in HW Config), and a CPU system expansion card (SEC) product version 2 or higher. Confirm that the purchased licenses are CPU 410 Expansion Pack (PO), not the separate PN Red expansion pack. In a redundant AS, pack allocation must preserve symmetric PO capacity across both CPUs; the V8.2 procedure says the selected CPU is used to establish the connection and distribution to both CPUs occurs automatically.

Transfer the Packs to the Target AS 410

Make the expansion-pack license keys available on a drive ALM can access.
In ALM, choose Edit > Connect target system > Connect/disconnect AS 410....
In the connection dialog, click Add, select the CPU 410-5H in the PCS 7 project, and confirm. Siemens' procedure states that the CPU then appears in ALM.
Drag the CPU 410 expansion-pack license keys onto the automation system for which the PO upgrade is intended.

This places the pack keys at the target system for the online upgrade workflow. Confirm the target AS carefully before proceeding.

Create the PO Activation File

Expand the target automation system in ALM and open its Online folder.
Select the CPU 410 expansion-pack license key displayed there, then choose License Key > Upgrade.
Confirm ALM creates the PO activation file and shows the resulting PO-volume expansion.

If Upgrade is disabled, return to the documented selection point: the license must be selected under the target AS's Online folder after connecting to that AS, not merely highlighted under the pack's source location or another tree node. Also verify the online AS connection and that the selected key is the CPU 410 PO expansion pack. The ticket does not show the ALM tree or identify the exact selected object, so this is a likely workflow cause rather than a definitive diagnosis.

Obtain and Transfer the PO Release File

Submit the PO activation file to Siemens through a support request for checking and release. Siemens' V8.2 example describes receiving a PO release file for each activation file. Place the received release file in the Engineering Station's PCS 7 Activations folder, reconnect the intended AS 410 in ALM, and drag the release file onto that AS's Online folder. ALM then performs the upgrade and displays the updated SEC PO volume. Follow the applicable PCS 7 Service Support and Diagnostics manual for the installed version.

Expected Results and Important License Restrictions

The CPU 410 expansion packs are virtual license containers used to create the PO activation file; they are consumed from the ALM view when the upgrade is initiated. Siemens warns that initiating the upgrade assigns the selected packs to the SEC and they can no longer be moved to another AS. A pack's PO volume must be assigned in its entirety to a CPU/SEC and cannot be subdivided. The V8.2 document lists 100-PO and 500-PO pack sizes; check the actual license type and current manual rather than inferring the amount from the number of keys.

Verification

After transferring the PO release file, confirm ALM shows the increased PO count for the intended SEC. Siemens also documents SIMATIC Manager > Extras > PCS 7 license information for viewing SEC volume and licensed process objects. For a redundant AS, verify that the license volume is balanced as required and that the project/target AS identity is correct. The activation-file creation step alone is not completion of the PO upgrade.

Limitations and Operational Precautions

The ticket does not specify PCS 7, CPU firmware, SEC product version, license-pack type/size, or whether the AS is redundant. The procedure above is grounded in Siemens' V8.2 manual and its stated prerequisites; the exact ALM appearance can differ by installed version. Stop if the packs appear to be PN Red rather than PO, if the target AS is unclear, or if the SEC does not meet the prerequisites. Do not initiate Upgrade until the target assignment is correct: after initiation the packs cannot be reassigned to another AS.

Engineer FAQ

Why is License Key > Upgrade unavailable? Check that the target AS 410 is connected, the pack is transferred to that AS, and the selected license is inside its Online folder.

Does clicking Upgrade immediately finish the PO increase? No. It creates the PO activation file; the release file must then be obtained and transferred to the AS Online folder.

Can four packs be combined? Siemens documents combining PO packs, but the volume and allocation depend on pack sizes and the target SEC; pack sizes cannot be split.

What changes for a redundant AS? The PO expansion must be symmetric across both CPUs; the V8.2 procedure says the distribution occurs automatically when connecting the redundant AS.

Can a pack be moved after Upgrade is initiated? Siemens cautions that the selected CPU 410 expansion packs are assigned to the SEC and cannot then be moved to another AS.

Technical References

Siemens, Process automation with the SIMATIC PCS 7 CPU 410-5H controller, Entry ID 96839331, V2.2, 11/2016, §§2.5.1–2.5.6, pp. 46–57. Version-specific PO upgrade prerequisites, ALM steps, activation/release files, and restrictions. https://cache.industry.siemens.com/dl/files/331/96839331/att_870773/v6/96839331_PCS7_CPU_4105H_V82_en.pdf
Siemens, Process automation with the SIMATIC PCS 7 CPU 410-5H controller, Entry ID 96839331, V4.0, 01/2023, section 2.6, “Upgrade with CPU 410 Expansion Packs.” This later edition distinguishes PO and PN Red expansion packs. https://cache.industry.siemens.com/dl/files/331/96839331/att_1127083/v2/96839331_PCS7_CPU_4105H_V91_en.pdf

CPU 410-5H process-object license upgrade

Automation License Manager AS 410 online licenses

How to Upgrade CPU 410 Process Object Licenses in Automation License Manager