RaulF_VB

Hello everyone, I hope you are having a great day :D

I have a question regarding the firmware update. In this case, I have a 1211C DC/DC/DC CPU MODEL 6ES7 211-1AE40-0XB0, whose firmware is 4.6. And in this case, when I wanted to work in TIA PORTAL V17, I realized that the maximum firmware it handles as a project is 4.5. So, should I make a change from 4.6 to 4.5? Or is it better to switch to TIA PORTAL V18?

Greetings, Raúl >:D

Hello.

The easiest way is to do nothing.

+ Use Step7 V17.
+ Assign the CPU in the project to V4.5 (or even V4.4).
+ Leave the firmware in the PLC to V4.6.

There are going to be warnings when you load the PLC. The PLC will however function as if it is a firmware V4.5 even if V4.6 is loaded in the device. 

Do note some upgrades were done to the security of the network communications. Use V4.5 in the project if you what changes it brings. Else consider using firmware V4.4 assigned in the Step7 project.

Greetings.

RaulF_VB

Regards.

Oh, I understand, thanks for the information. I will work this way for the time being to avoid inconvenience, but I would like to know if you could share the proper way to do this process of upgrading to another firmware. And if it is possible to load a lower firmware than the one the PLC has?

Regards, Raul :D

Excuse the sarcasm..

The "proper" way would be to buy the Step7 V20 and use the S7-1200 G2 (second generation) processor. Next best "proper" way is to buy Step7 V20 and load the newest firmware on your S7-1200. </s>

An official FAQ you can find here:
How do you load a project into an S7-1200 CPU if its firmware version cannot be selected in the hardware catalog of STEP 7 (TIA Portal)

My opinion: The warning the compiler kicks out is a push to convince you to go to a higher version. System stability is important for me. My projects do not yet need the abilities offered beyond firmware 4.3. We are using Step7 V15.1. Step7 V17 is there if I need it. I feel uncomfortable to buy and use V20.

Update to a V20 licence if you decide to go to a higher software version. Thereafter decide which software version (V18 / V19 / V20) you wish to install.