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Software Licensing Entitlements on Pre-Installed SIMATIC IPC Bundles (6ES7660-7DN41-3BD1)

Software Licensing Entitlements on Pre-Installed SIMATIC IPC Bundles (6ES7660-7DN41-3BD1)

A SIMATIC IPC ordered under order number 6ES7660-7DN41-3BD1 is delivered with the Microsoft Windows operating system, PCS 7 software installation binaries, and communications processor drivers pre-installed on the hard drive, but includes zero runtime or engineering software licenses. Despite the presence of pre-installed SIMATIC NET and CP 1623 hardware, the system contains no license keys. All operational software entitlements—including PCS 7 Engineering (ES), Operator Station Runtime (OS RT), Process Objects (PO), and SIMATIC NET HARDNET-IE S7 or S7-REDCONNECT licenses—must be procured separately as standalone license packages and transferred to the IPC via Automation License Manager.

Table of Contents

Hardware Bundles vs Software License Entitlements in SIMATIC PCS 7

In Siemens industrial automation procurement, there is a fundamental distinction between Hardware with Pre-Installed Software and Fully Licensed Automation Packages. Industrial PCs such as the SIMATIC IPC547G rack PC ordered under MLFB 6ES7660-7DN41-3BD1 represent an engineered hardware bundle. The Siemens factory installs the certified Microsoft Windows Server operating system, copies the complete SIMATIC PCS 7 software installation media, and configures hardware drivers for installed communications processors (such as CP 1623).

However, having the software files present on the storage drive does not grant legal entitlement or functional runtime authorization to execute the applications. In the official Siemens Catalog ST PCS 7, this configuration is explicitly designated as 'Pre-installed software without licenses'. If an engineer powers on the IPC without installing separately purchased license keys, the software immediately launches in restricted Demo mode.

Pre-Installed Software Image Architecture

The factory image installed on IPC bundle 6ES7660-7DN41-3BD1 includes:

  1. Operating System: A pre-activated OEM version of Microsoft Windows Server (e.g., Windows Server 2016 Standard Edition).
  2. SIMATIC PCS 7 Software Suite: Standard binaries for SIMATIC Manager (STEP 7), CFC, SFC, WinCC Explorer, Automation License Manager (ALM), and SIMATIC NET PC Software.
  3. Hardware Drivers: Device drivers for the integrated network adapters, graphics, RAID controller, and the installed CP 1623 (6GK1162-3AA00) PCI Express communications processor.

To enable functionality, Automation License Manager must detect valid Siemens License Keys (*.ekb files) stored on the local drive, transferred via official Siemens USB License Sticks or downloaded through the Online Software Delivery (OSD) portal.

Hardware Delivery vs License Entitlement Matrix for 6ES7660-7DN41-3BD1

The following table details the scope of delivery for MLFB 6ES7660-7DN41-3BD1 versus required licenses:

Component / FeatureIncluded in 6ES7660-7DN41-3BD1 DeliveryLicense Key SuppliedRequired Procurement ActionSIMATIC IPC547G HardwareYes (Core i7, RAM, RAID, Power Supply)Hardware WarrantyFully supplied in bundleWindows Server Operating SystemYes (Pre-installed and activated)OEM OS LicenseIncluded in hardware orderCP 1623 Communications CardYes (Physically installed in PCIe slot)N/A (Hardware)Fully supplied in bundlePCS 7 Software BinariesYes (Pre-installed on storage disk)No License KeysOrder PCS 7 ES or OS packagesSIMATIC NET PC SoftwareYes (Pre-installed on storage disk)No License KeysOrder HARDNET-IE S7 or REDCONNECTProcess Object (PO) EntitlementsNoneNo License KeysOrder AS RT and OS RT PO expansion packs

[!NOTE]
Commercial Accuracy Guardrail: Software packages and communications licenses must be procured separately based on the exact system topology. Final license quantities and MLFBs must be validated against Siemens Catalog ST PCS 7 and quoted through an authorized Siemens sales channel.

Mandatory Separate Software and Communications License Packages

To commission 6ES7660-7DN41-3BD1 as a functional station, specify the following companion licenses:

  1. Communications Software License (SIMATIC NET):
    - For standard S7 connections to non-redundant CPUs: SIMATIC NET HARDNET-IE S7 V14 (6GK1716-1CB14-0AA0).
    - For fault-tolerant S7 connections to S7-400H CPUs: SIMATIC NET HARDNET-IE S7-REDCONNECT V14 (6GK1716-0HB14-0AA0).

  2. Engineering Station (ES) Role:
    - Procure SIMATIC PCS 7 Engineering Station V9.0 (6ES7658-5AX58-0YA5) or ES Single Station Bundle (6ES7651-5AA58-0YA0).

  3. Operator Station (OS Server / Single Station) Role:
    - Procure SIMATIC PCS 7 OS Software Server V9.0 (6ES7658-2BA58-0YA0) or OS Software Single Station V9.0 (6ES7658-2AA58-0YA0).
    - Add matching OS Runtime Process Objects (6ES7658-2XA00-0XB0 for 100 POs, 6ES7658-2XB00-0XB0 for 1000 POs).

Verification

Verify license entitlements on the physical IPC:
1. Power on the IPC and log into Windows Server.
2. Open Automation License Manager (ALM) from the desktop or Start Menu.
3. Select drive C: and verify that the license list is initially empty (confirming zero factory licenses).
4. Insert the purchased Siemens License Key USB sticks and transfer all license keys to drive C:.
5. In ALM, select File -> Check to verify that all transferred license keys indicate status 'Valid'.

Limitations and Operational Precautions

  • Missing Communications License Behavior: If a CP 1623 communicates without a valid HARDNET-IE or REDCONNECT license, SIMATIC NET logs daily license violation warnings and terminates runtime communication after demo periods expire.
  • License Loss Protection: License keys on drive C: must be backed up using ALM before re-imaging or formatting the IPC; ghosting a hard drive does not safely backup Siemens floating license keys.
  • Catalog ST PCS 7 Guidance: Always consult page 269 of Catalog ST PCS 7 (Section: Industrial PC pre-installations) for explicit license dependency statements.

Engineer FAQ

Why does Siemens sell IPCs with pre-installed software if licenses are not included?

Pre-installed IPCs save engineering commissioning time by eliminating the hours required to install operating systems, service packs, WinCC, and PCS 7 binaries from DVDs. The customer purchases only the specific licenses required for their architectural role.

Can I communicate over the installed CP 1623 card without buying a SIMATIC NET license?

No. The CP 1623 hardware cannot establish S7 connections without a corresponding SIMATIC NET HARDNET-IE S7 or S7-REDCONNECT runtime license key.

What happens to WinCC if I run the IPC without an OS Runtime license?

WinCC Runtime will operate in Demo Mode for a limited duration, displaying continuous non-dismissible license warning dialogs before shutting down or blocking screen interactions.

Are Windows Server Client Access Licenses (CALs) included in 6ES7660-7DN41-3BD1?

The OEM Windows Server license includes baseline administrative access, but additional Remote Desktop Services CALs or WinCC Client CALs may be required depending on multi-user access architectures.

Technical References

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Related Tags

  • SIMATIC IPC
  • 6ES7660-7DN41-3BD1
  • Licensing
  • HARDNET-IE
  • CP 1623
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