Hello experts!

We will be upgrading a PCS7 system from V6.1 to V8.2 (consists of 1 ES, 1 redundant OS server and 3 OS clients).

I already know the AS and OS hardware to reatain and purchase with help of PCS7 v8,2 released modules and readme. My question will be all about the software and license.

I was told that I will be using PCS7 upgrade packages. Upon checking the latest PCS7 catalog, I saw there are upgrade packages for ES, OS server and OS client. 

1) Now, are these 3 upgrade packages the only software I will need? It suppose to upgrade all licenses, so I will be needing no more license? 

2) I will be reusing some relatively old rack PC, which means I will manually reformat, and will not be able to use preinstalled software. The upgrade packages seems already includes the PCS7 installer itself (each for ES, OS server and OS client), is this right? 

3) Also, do I need only 1 OS server upgrade package for 2 redundant OS rack PCs, and 1 OS client upgrade package for 3 separate OS clients?

4) Is there an instruction manual for this upgrade package? I can't seem to find how would this exactly work, even on the "PCS7 update software with/without new function" manual, seems there's no mention of using this Upgrade Package software. Well there must be manual included. on the package.

5) The system uses CEMAT blocks/faceplates. Of course this will be a different upgrade package right? I can't seem to find one on catalog? Can you also give me link on how to execute this? 

Thanks so much! 

It seems this is the software I need for CEMAT upgrade: 6DL5430-8AX18-0XE0

https://support.industry.siemens.com/cs/document/104982057/pcs-7-minerals-automation-standard-cemat-v8-1-released-for-delivery?dti=0&lc=en-WW

It seems to say I need one for every ES and OS server, no need for OS client? So in my case, I need 3 units (1 ES and 1 pair of redundant OS)? 

Also anyone knows link for the CEMAT upgrade procedure? 

Thanks!

Hi Grey,

first of all it is not possible to go from V6 to V8 in one step. You have to do the intermediate step at latest V7 version...

Please follow one of these manuals, depending on your use case:

Software update without utilization of new functions V8.2: https://support.industry.siemens.com/cs/ww/en/view/109485952

Software update with utilization of new functions V8.2: https://support.industry.siemens.com/cs/ww/en/view/109485962

Now to your questions:

1) Yes should be enough in total. But you will need at least an upgrade package for the ES from V6 to V7 because there is no direct migration from 6 to 8.

2) No the upgrade packages only contain the licenses. You have to oder the media package for V/ and V8 additional.

3) No, you need one upgrade package for each PC in your plant. So 1x ES, 2x OS server and 3x OS client.

4) Upgrade packages are for licenses only. So after installation of PCS 7 go to License manager and upgrade existing licenses of V6 with license of V8 from the package.

5) Sorry can not help on Cemat topics.

Regrads
Myst

Hello Myst, 

Thanks for your response. 

Yap I also heard that I need to go v6 > v7 before > v8. I also have seen those upgrade manuals, which has 2 version, 1) "with" and 2) "without" utilization of new function.

What do you think should I follow if I am to upgrade to v8? I think the "utilization of new function" primarily pertains to the usage of newer version of blocks/library? Does this mean if I want to update blocks, then I should follow the with new function manuals? Or can I do only software update from v6 > v7 (without any new function/block update) and I only update block on the final update from v7 > v8? 

The latest CEMAT upgrade is v8.1 which says I can upgrade directly from v6. This isn't the only "block update" I need right? I mean, there must be other blocks aside from the CEMAT family I needed to upgrade to latest version?

Myst

Hi Grey,

Now to your questions:

1) Yes should be enough in total. But you will need at least an upgrade package for the ES from V6 to V7 because there is no direct migration from 6 to 8.

2) No the upgrade packages only contain the licenses. You have to oder the media package for V/ and V8 additional.

3) No, you need one upgrade package for each PC in your plant. So 1x ES, 2x OS server and 3x OS client.

4) Upgrade packages are for licenses only. So after installation of PCS 7 go to License manager and upgrade existing licenses of V6 with license of V8 from the package.

5) Sorry can not help on Cemat topics.

Regrads
Myst

1) Yap you are right.

2) I'm sure I read on the latest 2016 PCS7 catalog (for instance ES: 6ES7 651-5AF17-0YE5) that it already contain "media package". So that means the PCS7 installer itslef already included?

3) I see, thanks.

4) See # 2.

5) Very unfortunate, as to my main concern now is about updating the blocks (since it seems this is the main work on this kind of PCS7 upgrade). But maybe you can still help me on updating general non-CEMAT blocks.  

Thanks again!

Hi G_R_E_Y,

if you want to update the non CEMAT blocks you should follow the instruction of the manuals "Software updates with utilization of new functions".

There you will find all necessary Information. If you want to use the functions than you have to stopp the CPU during the download.

Hello Ralfinio,

Ahm what exactly are those non-CEMAT blocks and how do I update them? In CEMAT I see the "ILS_CEM" on library, so I copy those blocks to Master Library and offline blocks/update type. How about the non-CEMAT? 

As I remember, the manual in this regard is a bit generic, so if you can elaborate it would be much appreciated. 

I'm thinking about how can I make sure that I've updated all non-CEMAT blocks the project used and the project will ever need (CEMAT blocks are all in "ILS_CEM" library). I'm thinking, if I won't be able to update all completely, then a block the project will need later on would require CPU stop due to version error.