Hello,

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Thanks, I've quickly scanned the whole PDF and it seems it requires the presence of the TIA portal program for it to work.

What I need is to develop a standalone program that I can install in the client's computer so he can control some fans. Maybe OPC is more complicated than it requires

Is there any other solution to turn PLC digital outputs ON / OFF from a computer using while it's connected over ethernet cable?

Thanks!

 your requirements are little bit basic and also not experience plays here some role. What about security? Any can start some app and doing some changes at some device that maybe control some important process? I recommend for first improve knowledge with Networks problematic. There isn't any simple solution/program that you can only run and do some changes at external device without to set up some connection cfg and protocol. Security must here play important role. It is expected to create some application with some libraries that include some defined protocol expected with data excahne to external device, protocol is here important. S7 is that one that can be used. This can be only one side solution, I mean at PC because there are many other possibilities like TCP socket solution but this is this time both sides programming and configuration required. So your case with only one side solution is create some application on Computer with some higher language (C#.C++,Java with S7 library (check web like NodeRed or Libnodave) or use some Simatic HMI/panel connected to that PLC via existed interface and protocol to set some signals via expected protocol and connection, with HMI/panel you need also programming cfg and setup all things with TIA portal. This isn't simple like most of users expect.

Hello,

eeeeehm ok, let that security in this case out of this area, no problem. Ok, to some your question.

4.-In this case there are probably other solutions to turn on/off 6 outputs, using other hardware. Suggestions are welcome. I only wanted to suggest using this 1200 because this client already has one freshly installed in a box, but they never used it. I can program both the PLC side and the PC side.

A: why change that idea with S7-1200 HW? Rest as I posted in my previous post, all is there if I see it correctly. In your case with good experience with higher languages like C++, it can be easy task.

Hello,

no. For your side and experience I'll probably select TCP socket solution. YOu can easy create with any higher language Client socket application and on S7-1200 use also OUC as TCON/TDISCON/TSEND/TRCV blocks. I expect your application on PC as Client and with connection establish to PLC as Server. I think that this can be best solution, you can easy change what you want on both sides as required, doesn't cost nothing and relativelly big amount of data can be exchange. Your prj then simply include your own defined message system what you preffer for data exchange, pretty easy. Any web pages depended to TCP sockets and your preffered language are available and also Forums. For initial tests I recommend maybe use already created applications like Hercules (web) what can play role of your PC app for a while with PLC tests with already prepared your expected messages format. As I said, there are other many solutions to do that but I preffer do this at this system everytime. Your choice...