actually I see only two problems.

1. The SCALANCE X you are about to use should be a SCALANCE X 204-2 LD with two interfaces. I do not know the -1 version... but in this I could be wrong.

2. If you want to connect all S7-1200 PLC’s to the PC with WinCC flexible you will need a SIMATIC NET driver called SIMATIC NET SOFTNET S7 for industrial Ethernet. This driver provides up to 64 S7-Connections (which you need for your HMI connections too) for any NDIS capable NIC. So you can stay with your PC network interface... you just have to use this driver.

I hope you spend some thoughts on the over all capability of S7-Connections for each S7-1200... if you use all WinCC flexible systems with each PLC and maybe also some panels.... just to mention.

Best regards

regarding your first question I can tell you that the use of the media converter X101-1 LD at the end of the fiber optical line structure is absolutely normal. There is no problem with it.

About your second point I have some more doubts, if you check the manual: SIMATIC S7 S7-1200 Programmable controller you will find that each PLC may use up to 3 HMI connections (your 3 WinCC flexible stations) and some additional communication. I guess the Panel will run with one of these resources... but be aware that there is not much latitude left for more.

With your last question I think it should not be a big problem, at least not as long as the resolution andtherefresh rate is not too highand the transfer method you use is not broad- or multicast it should work. You should use unicasts... for a better performance on the network.
The SOFTNET driver I mentioned does not interfere with other traffic on this interface, so this should not be a problem. I only hope the cameras you mention do not use the TCP Port 102.

Best regards

I have to admit... I spend some thoughts on your configuration and I think I may provide you a little concept you may use.

First of all I separated all your systems in clusters. Each cluster should have only one interface to the HMI system. This reduces the amount of data transferred to the HMI and due to this it increasesthe performance of the complete system.
Second step is the change in the HMI system. Due to the restriction in HMI connections you need a certain redesign. I would change the System to a singe, if you need also redundant, WinCC flexible Server (OPC) providing all the data to the other two WinCC flexible stations on the Network. This way you reduce the connection load form 4 to 2 (in case of redundancy also 3) Connections.

You may be right if you say this requires some more programming, true. But I see also the advantages, especially if you want to extend the system... if required.

I hope you will join me in this opinion.

Best regards

I am sorry not to explain the data collector at all.

The data collector is a device that provides the data of several PLC’s to another superordinated control level like an HMI system. The huge advantage of such combined structures is that the HMI system, in your case the WinCC flexible, does not need to interact too many PLC’s in a short time. The over all performance of the system rises.

What is the data collector do? Well, this is really easy, it collects the data dedicated to the HMI together in one or two DB’s. This data needs to be defined and known by the HMI to determine which data is provided by which PLC and what the data shows.

The communication between the PLC’s would be done by ISO on TCP or TCP/IP, as you like. This saves a lot of traffic and system recourses for the complete system.

I fully agree with you about the HMI and it's connection to the local PLC. This is a point I do not want to change. The only thing I wanted to change is the WinCC flexible configuration. In this point you seem to fully agree with me... at least as far as I see it right here.

I hope I could answer your questions satisfyingly.

Best regards