Is it necessary to have all the GSD files to exchange a slave in a ProfibusDP network?

Hello.

We have a Siemens S7-400 CPU 416-2 DP. We did a complete backup (program and hardware configuration). This CPU works as master in a Profibus DP network with about 22 slaves (Siemens and non-Siemens slaves).

Due to a slave failure in a non-Siemens slave, we have to change it by another different slave. We have got GSD file of  this new slave. But we haven´t got all GSD files of  other Non-Siemens slaves.

If we try to change new slave in hardware configuration, downloading to 416-2 DP, after this, only works new slave, and Siemens slaves (we have got GSD files). Unfortunately, Non-Siemens slaves (we haven´t got their GSD files) do not link with master. It´s as if they were switched off.

By the other hand, always I am able to download old hardware configuration, working all Ok Siemens slaves and non-Siemens slaves (except for the defective slave that no longer exists).

So my question is:

It is necessary to get all GSD files ?

How and where can we get GSD files of Non-siemens Profibus DP slaves ?

Thanks in advance

juanki

How and where can we get GSD files of Non-siemens Profibus DP slaves ?

 From the vendor of the device.

Unfortunately, we haven´t got original project.

We made a backup from S7-400 CPU.

Hello juanki;

So you are left with few choices; go to the site of the different vendors (manufacturers) of your Profibus selves, retrieve each of their gsd files, and integrate them in your project. 

Hope this helps,

Daniel Chartier