SIMATIC NET License Keys for CP 1623 Communication in SIMATIC PCS 7

The SIMATIC NET CP 1623 PCI Express communications processor requires specific SIMATIC NET software runtime licenses depending on controller redundancy architecture. Standard communications with non-redundant S7-400 or AS 410 CPUs require the HARDNET-IE S7 license key. Fault-tolerant communications with redundant S7-400H or AS 410-5H controllers require the HARDNET-IE S7-REDCONNECT license key. Upgrades from standard to fault-tolerant communications use the HARDNET-IE S7-REDCONNECT Power Pack. When redundant WinCC OS Servers communicate across the plant bus, each physical server station requires its own independent license key installed via Automation License Manager.

CP 1623 Architectural Context

The CP 1623 (6GK1162-3AA00) is a dedicated PCI Express x1 communications card equipped with an onboard microprocessor designed for offloading protocol processing from the OS host computer. In SIMATIC PCS 7, the card operates on the Industrial Ethernet Plant Bus at 10/100/1000 Mbps, communicating with SIMATIC S7-400, S7-400H, and AS 410 automation stations.

While pre-bundled PCS 7 Industrial Workstations (IPCs) may include communication licenses within their base package or software restore media, custom industrial PCs, retrofit servers, or OS engineering client stations require explicit licensing for the SIMATIC NET PC software stack. The physical CP 1623 hardware does not contain embedded firmware licenses; all authorization is checked by the SIMATIC NET protocol driver via the Automation License Manager (ALM).

SIMATIC NET License Selection Rules

The required software license is determined entirely by the target PLC connection type—specifically whether communication involves single (non-redundant) S7 connections or fault-tolerant (redundant 4-way S7-H) connections.

Connection ArchitectureTarget Automation StationRequired SIMATIC NET License PackageFunctionality & ScopeSingle Plant Bus / Single CPUS7-400 (Single AS), AS 410-5H (Single Mode)SIMATIC NET HARDNET-IE S7Authorizes S7 communication protocol over CP 1613/CP 1623 hardware. Up to 64/120 connections.Fault-Tolerant Plant Bus / Redundant CPUS7-400H, AS 410-5H Redundant PairSIMATIC NET HARDNET-IE S7-REDCONNECTAuthorizes redundant 4-way S7-H connections with automatic bumpless switchover between subnets. Includes standard HARDNET-IE S7.Upgrade Existing Single System to RedundantTransition from Single AS to S7-400H / AS 410-5HHARDNET-IE S7-REDCONNECT Power PackUpgrades an existing HARDNET-IE S7 license to full S7-REDCONNECT functionality without repurchasing the base license.

Procurement Schedule for SIMATIC NET Packages

The following Equipment Schedule specifies the relevant order numbers for CP 1623 hardware and runtime software licenses:

Hardware Processor:
- CP 1623 Communications Processor (PCIe x1): 6GK1162-3AA00

Software Licenses (PCS 7 V8.x / SIMATIC NET V13):
- SIMATIC NET HARDNET-IE S7 V13:              6GK1716-1CB13-0AA0
- SIMATIC NET HARDNET-IE S7-REDCONNECT V13:   6GK1716-0HB13-0AA0
- Power Pack HARDNET-IE S7-REDCONNECT V13:    6GK1716-0HB13-0AC0

Software Licenses (PCS 7 V9.0 / SIMATIC NET V14):
- SIMATIC NET HARDNET-IE S7 V14:              6GK1716-1CB14-0AA0
- SIMATIC NET HARDNET-IE S7-REDCONNECT V14:   6GK1716-0HB14-0AA0
- Power Pack HARDNET-IE S7-REDCONNECT V14:    6GK1716-0HB14-0AC0

[!IMPORTANT]
Commercial Accuracy Disclaimer: Software licensing is per PC station. For a redundant OS Server pair (Server 1 and Server 2), two separate HARDNET-IE S7-REDCONNECT licenses are required—one transferred to Server 1 and one transferred to Server 2. Licenses are tied to the local machine or corporate ALM license server and cannot be shared across multiple runtime nodes. Final license quantities and MLFBs must be validated against the applicable Siemens ST PCS 7 Catalog and authorized distributor quotations.

Verification

To verify that the correct license is installed and actively recognized by the runtime communications stack:

Open Automation License Manager (ALM) on the WinCC OS Server or Single Station.
Select the local drive (C:) and verify that HARDNET-IE S7 or HARDNET-IE S7-REDCONNECT appears with status OK (License type: Single / Floating).
Open Communication Settings (or Set PC Station Interface) in Windows Control Panel.
Verify that access point CP_H1_1: or S7ONLINE is mapped to CP1623(ISO) or CP1623(RFC1006).
Launch SIMATIC NET Diagnostics (CODIAG.EXE) or WinCC Channel Diagnosis.
Under WinCC Channel Diagnosis -> SIMATIC S7 Protocol Suite -> Named Connections, verify that connection status displays a green checkmark and status Ready.
Check the Windows Event Viewer (System log) and ALM log to confirm no License Key Not Found warnings or trial countdown banners appear during runtime startup.

Limitations and Operational Precautions

Operational boundaries and licensing constraints include:

Missing REDCONNECT License Behavior: If an OS station attempts to establish an S7-H redundant connection to an AS 410-5H pair without a valid HARDNET-IE S7-REDCONNECT license, communication will operate in non-licensed trial mode for a limited evaluation period, triggering persistent runtime popups, or connection switchover between redundant paths will be inhibited.
BPA vs Redundant: Standard non-redundant Industrial Ethernet connections via standard commercial network cards use SOFTNET-IE S7 (6GK1704-1CW...), not HARDNET. The HARDNET licenses are strictly reserved for CP 1613, CP 1623, and CP 1628 microprocessor-based communication processors.
Version Alignment: The major version of the SIMATIC NET software license must match or exceed the installed SIMATIC NET PC Software release (e.g., a V14 license authorizes V14, V13, and earlier versions, but a V13 license cannot authorize SIMATIC NET V14).

Engineer FAQ

Does the CP 1623 require an additional hardware driver license?

No. Hardware drivers for the CP 1623 are included with the SIMATIC NET PC Software installation media. The license key strictly authorizes the communications protocol runtime layer (HARDNET-IE S7 or S7-REDCONNECT).

What is the difference between SOFTNET and HARDNET licenses?

SOFTNET runs protocol processing entirely on the host PC's main CPU utilizing standard commercial Ethernet network interface cards (e.g., Intel PRO/1000). HARDNET utilizes the dedicated onboard ASIC/RISC processor of the CP 1623/CP 1628 to handle ISO/TCP protocols independently, providing high-precision time synchronization (1 ms SOE) and deterministic communication without loading the host CPU.

If our OS server already has HARDNET-IE S7, what is the exact upgrade path to connect to redundant CPUs?

Purchase the SIMATIC NET HARDNET-IE S7-REDCONNECT Power Pack (MLFB 6GK1716-0HB14-0AC0 for V14). In ALM, transferring this Power Pack upgrade license to the drive containing the existing HARDNET-IE S7 license combines them into a full HARDNET-IE S7-REDCONNECT license.

Is S7-REDCONNECT required for an Engineering Station (ES)?

Yes, if the ES utilizes Named Connections to download to or monitor redundant S7-400H / AS 410-5H controller pairs via CP 1623 without breaking connection continuity during single-rack maintenance.