Select the Redundancy Network Adapter for PCS 7 OS Servers
Configure the OS-server redundancy network adapter on the redundant server pair, using SIMATIC Shell's Redundancy Settings on each server. The Engineering Station's SIMATIC Shell configuration is local to the ES and does not substitute for selecting the server-to-server redundancy interface. Siemens' PCS 7 PC Configuration V9.1 SP1 manual describes selecting an additional network adapter directly on mutually redundant servers; follow the matching procedure for the installed release and network architecture.
Table of Contents
- Configure the adapter on each server
- Keep terminal-bus and redundancy roles distinct
- Configure WinCC redundancy separately
- Why the ES may not show the server adapter
- Verification
- Limitations and Operational Precautions
- Technical References
- Related Articles
- Related Tags
- Engineer FAQ
Configure the adapter on each server
On each mutually redundant OS server, open Windows Explorer, right-click SIMATIC Shell, and open Redundancy Settings. For a redundancy link over an additional network adapter, select no serial interface and choose the adapter connected to the redundancy network. Siemens documents this configuration directly on each redundant server or single-station system.
Keep terminal-bus and redundancy roles distinct
Identify each adapter by its configured network and project role before selection. The terminal bus serves the operator/client network; the redundancy interface provides the server-pair communication path when configured separately. Verify subnet and routing design against the PCS 7 version and virtualization architecture used at the site.
Configure WinCC redundancy separately
Use WinCC Explorer to configure redundancy activation, partner server, and Default Master. The network adapter selection in SIMATIC Shell is a separate station-level configuration. Ensure only the intended server is Default Master, as specified in Siemens high-availability documentation.
Why the ES may not show the server adapter
The ES only presents adapters available on that computer. Unless the ES itself participates in a configured redundancy relationship, it does not need to select the OS pair's server-to-server adapter. Configure the adapter on the OS servers themselves.
Verification
Check SIMATIC Shell from both OS servers and verify that the partner is visible over the intended network. Then verify WinCC redundancy status and conduct a controlled switchover test under the site's operational procedure.
Limitations and Operational Precautions
The source does not identify whether the system is physical or virtual, which PCS 7 release is installed, or whether the redundancy link uses Ethernet or serial communication. PCS 7 virtualization manuals can impose additional constraints; use the corresponding release manual before changing adapter order or network topology.
Technical References
- Siemens, PCS 7 PC Configuration V9.1 SP1 Installation Manual, section 5.7, configuring SIMATIC Shell redundancy settings: https://support.industry.siemens.com/cs/attachments/109805407/ps7pck_b.pdf
- Siemens, PCS 7 Virtualization V9.1 SP2, section 4.5.3, redundancy connection between servers: https://support.industry.siemens.com/cs/attachments/109812895/109812895_Manual_PCS7V91SP2_Virtualization_en.pdf
- Siemens, High Availability Process Control Systems V9.0, section 5.5.5, OS server redundancy: https://support.industry.siemens.com/cs/attachments/109746538/ps7red_b_en-US.pdf
Related Articles
Related Tags
Engineer FAQ
Does the Engineering Station need to select the OS redundancy adapter? The PCS 7 PC Configuration procedure says to configure the redundant connection directly on each mutually redundant server; the ES setting is local to that ES.
Where do I select the redundancy network card? On each OS server, open SIMATIC Shell > Redundancy Settings and select the network adapter used for the server-to-server redundancy path.
Should terminal bus be configured before redundancy? Keep terminal-bus, plant-bus and redundancy adapters correctly identified and ordered per the applicable PCS 7 network configuration manual.
Can redundancy use a serial connection? PCS 7 PC Configuration V9.1 supports either a serial port or an additional network adapter; virtualized releases may specify Ethernet-only server links.
Why might the adapter not appear? Verify that the OS sees the adapter and that its driver/network configuration is active; the ES cannot display a server-only NIC that is not locally installed.
Is the network adapter selection in WinCC Explorer? WinCC redundancy logic is configured in WinCC Explorer; the physical redundancy interface selection is configured in SIMATIC Shell.
Do both redundant servers need matching network setup? The partner pair must have a valid communication path and compatible settings; configure the selected adapter on each server according to the exact version procedure.
Should the redundancy adapter share the terminal-bus subnet? Use the version-specific architecture guidance; for some separate redundancy networks an independent subnet is specified, while exact topology depends on deployment.
Can virtualized PCS 7 use a virtual adapter for redundancy? PCS 7 virtualization guidance documents a virtual adapter for the redundancy bus in the VM SIMATIC Shell settings; follow the applicable virtualization release manual.
How do I verify the selected adapter works? Confirm both servers appear in SIMATIC Shell through the intended path and that WinCC reports a healthy partner connection, then validate during controlled failover testing.