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How to Upgrade SIMATIC NET HARDNET-IE S7 Licenses from V14 to V16

How to Upgrade SIMATIC NET HARDNET-IE S7 Licenses from V14 to V16

To upgrade a SIMATIC NET HARDNET-IE S7 license from version V14 to V16, you must purchase the commercial 'Upgrade Package SIMATIC NET HARDNET-IE S7' and apply the upgrade keys using Automation License Manager (ALM). SIMATIC NET license keys are strictly downward compatible: installing a V16 license key on an Industrial PC not only licenses the V16 SIMATIC NET PC software drivers but also fully authorizes legacy V14 and V15 installations. The upgrade procedure requires inserting the upgrade certificate into ALM, selecting the existing V14 license key, executing the 'License Key > Upgrade' command, and installing the matching SIMATIC NET PC Software V16 driver package on the host operating system.

Table of Contents

Understanding SIMATIC NET HARDNET vs. SOFTNET Licensing

In industrial PC communication with SIMATIC S7-400 and AS 410 controllers, Siemens separates SIMATIC NET communication into two software architectures:
* SOFTNET-IE S7: Uses standard commercial network interface cards (Intel, Realtek). Protocol execution runs on the host PC CPU.
* HARDNET-IE S7: Requires dedicated Siemens communications processors equipped with onboard microprocessors (such as CP 1613, CP 1623, or CP 1628). Protocol execution is offloaded entirely to the CP hardware, guaranteeing high throughput and up to 120 deterministic S7 connections.

The license key HARDNET-IE S7 authorizes access to the CP 1623/1628 drivers and enables redundant S7 communication (S7-Redconnect) when paired with redundant S7-400H controllers.

Backward Compatibility Rules for SIMATIC NET License Keys

A critical principle of Siemens industrial software licensing is downward compatibility:
* A SIMATIC NET HARDNET-IE S7 V16 license key is fully valid for:
- SIMATIC NET V16
- SIMATIC NET V15 / V15 SP1
- SIMATIC NET V14 / V14 SP1
- Legacy releases down to V12
* Upgrading your license in ALM does not force an immediate, disruptive driver upgrade on a running production station. You can upgrade the license key to V16 today while leaving the installed V14 software drivers operating undisturbed until the next scheduled maintenance window.

Pre-Requisites: Operating System and ALM Requirements

Before executing the upgrade, confirm the following prerequisites:
* Automation License Manager (ALM): The station must run ALM V6.0 SP8 or higher. Older ALM versions (such as ALM V5.x) cannot parse modern V16 license containers and will report License type unknown.
* Operating System Baseline: While the V16 license key is backward compatible with V14 software on Windows 7 / Server 2008 R2, running the actual SIMATIC NET V16 software drivers requires Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC (2016/2019) or Windows Server 2016/2019.
* Order Number (MLFB): Confirm purchase of the correct upgrade package: 6GK1780-5CW00-0AL0 (Upgrade HARDNET-IE S7).

Method: Step-by-Step License Upgrade Workflow in ALM

To upgrade your license key from V14 to V16:

  1. Launch Automation License Manager with local Administrator privileges.
  2. In the left navigation pane, select the drive letter containing your existing V14 license (usually C: or a dedicated license USB flash drive).
  3. Connect the Siemens USB license drive containing your newly purchased Upgrade License Key (or retrieve it via Online Software Delivery - OSD).
  4. In ALM, select the target drive where the existing HARDNET-IE S7 V14 license is stored.
  5. In the right-hand table, click to highlight the HARDNET-IE S7 V14 license key.
  6. From the menu bar, select License Key > Upgrade... (or right-click the license and select Upgrade).
  7. ALM searches connected drives for a matching upgrade authorization key. In the confirmation dialog, confirm that:
    - Source License: HARDNET-IE S7 V14
    - Upgrade Key: Upgrade HARDNET-IE S7 V14 -> V16
    - Target License: HARDNET-IE S7 V16
  8. Click OK. ALM combines the existing key with the upgrade token, permanently writing the HARDNET-IE S7 V16 license key to your selected drive.

Verification

To verify that the HARDNET-IE S7 license upgrade was successful:

  1. In Automation License Manager, select the drive where the key resides.
  2. Verify the properties column:
    - Product: HARDNET-IE S7
    - Version: 16.0
    - License Type: Single
    - License Key: Displays green checkmark status (OK).
  3. Launch the Communication Settings console (or Set PC Station Interface).
  4. Select the configured CP 1623 module and open Diagnostics.
  5. Verify that the driver recognizes the active V16 license and that no demo/trial mode timeout timers are counting down in the system tray.

Limitations and Operational Precautions

  • Irreversible Upgrade: Once an upgrade license token is merged with a base license key in ALM, the operation is irreversible. The key cannot be split back into a standalone V14 key.
  • Redundant Pairs Must Match: If upgrading an OS Server pair with CP 1623 cards running S7-Redconnect, ensure both redundant servers receive identical license upgrades to prevent license mismatches during failover.
  • Do Not Defrag License Drives: Never run third-party hard drive defragmentation utilities across partitions holding license folders (AX NF ZZ). Defragmenting can corrupt internal license cluster pointers.
  • Commercial Verification: Upgrade license order numbers (MLFBs) for HARDNET and S7-Redconnect packages must be verified in the Siemens Industry Mall or via an authorized Siemens sales partner before issuing purchase orders.

Engineer FAQ

Can I run SIMATIC NET V16 drivers on an older Windows 7 operating system?
No. SIMATIC NET PC Software V16 requires Windows 10 LTSC or Windows Server 2016/2019. If you remain on Windows 7, you must leave the V14 software drivers installed while using the V16 license key.

Do I need a separate upgrade for S7-Redconnect?
Yes. S7-Redconnect is an independent add-on license. If your system communicates with redundant S7-400H controllers, you must purchase both the HARDNET-IE S7 Upgrade and the S7-Redconnect Upgrade.

What happens if the upgrade license is applied while WinCC Runtime is active?
The upgrade can be applied online in ALM without restarting Windows or interrupting active SCADA communication; SIMATIC NET checks license validity dynamically.

Technical References

  • Siemens Industry Online Support Entry ID 109772227: Sales and Delivery Release for SIMATIC NET PC Software V16
  • Siemens Industry Online Support Entry ID 109742323: SIMATIC NET Industrial Communications Commissioning PC Stations Manual
  • SIMATIC PCS 7 PC Configuration Manual (Document No. A5E00278782)

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Related Tags

  • https://industrialautomation.net/search?query=simatic-net
  • https://industrialautomation.net/search?query=hardnet
  • https://industrialautomation.net/search?query=cp1623
  • https://industrialautomation.net/search?query=licensing
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