Hello SIOS Forum Community,

for some types of process connections WinCC relies on SIMATIC NET PC software and then also requires corresponding licences that have to be purchased in addition to the WinCC RT/RC licences. This applies in particular to S7 communication via Ethernet.

Since WinCC V6.0 SP3, a licence for the product "SIMATIC NET S7-Softnet Lean" is included in the scope of delivery of each WinCC RT/RC licence (but not with WinCC client licences). This licence enables the operation of up to 8 S7 connections in connection with commercially available Layer 2 Ethernet network cards (e.g. SIMATIC NET CP1612, integrated Industrial Ethernet interfaces of the SIMATIC Industrial PC, ...).

If more than 8 S7 connections are required, a larger licence version is needed, e.g. "Industrial Ethernet SOFTNET-S7 " for up to 64 S7 connections or "Industrial Ethernet SOFTNET-S7 Extended" for more than 64 S7 connections (Attention: Observe limitation according to technical data of WinCC!).

Starting with WinCC V6.0 SP3 until initially with WinCC V7.0, a "SIMATIC NET S7-Softnet Lean" licence in the SIMATIC NET version compatible with the WinCC version was enclosed with the WinCC RT/RT licences.

If more than 8 S7 connections were to be projected in the project concerned, it was possible to upgrade the enclosed version-based "SIMATIC NET S7-Softnet Lean" licence to e.g. "Industrial Ethernet SOFTNET-S7 " for up to 64 S7 connections via a suitable licence power pack of the same version.

Since WinCC V7.0 SP2, a version-free "SIMATIC NET S7-Softnet Lean" licence has been included with the WinCC RT/RT licences, which can then also be used for the correspondingly required higher SIMATIC NET version in the event of a WinCC upgrade. However, this version-free "SIMATIC NET S7-Softnet Lean" licence cannot be upgraded to e.g. "Industrial Ethernet SOFTNET-S7 " for up to 64 S7 connections by means of a licence power pack. This means that for applications with more than 8 S7 connections, an additional full version of "Industrial Ethernet SOFTNET-S7 " must always be purchased.

In order to enable users to upgrade older WinCC projects to at least 8 S7 connections via Ethernet without purchasing an additional licence, WinCC RT/RC upgrades of versions V6.2 ... V7.4 will also be provided with a "SIM card". V7.4 are also accompanied by a "SIMATIC NET S7 Softnet Lean" licence. WinCC RT/RC upgrades to V7.5, however, no longer include a "SIMATIC NET S7-Softnet Lean" licence, as this always requires a WinCC version for which a "SIMATIC NET S7-Softnet Lean" licence has already been provided (see also https://support.industry.siemens.com/cs/ww/en/view/22083978).

In connection with the upgrade of WinCC projects, the upgrade of any existing SIMATIC NET licences must always be taken into account when determining the costs, unless the version-free "SIMATIC NET S7-Softnet Lean" licence is involved. Often, the required number of connections increases within the scope of such projects due to the inclusion of further S7 stations, in which case the number of 8 S7 connections may be exceeded and, for example, a new purchase of an "Industrial Ethernet SOFTNET-S7 " for up to 64 S7 connections may be necessary.

In any case, it is advisable to determine exactly which licences are available on the original system or are available from the client in order to be able to determine the correct upgrades. In addition to the SIMATIC NET licences discussed here, this of course also applies to the actual WinCC RT/RC licences and, if applicable, licences for additional WinCC options.

With Best Regards,

SIMATIC International Technical Support Hub