HW Config ::: Protection Help :::

If you set a password protection level:

· Authorized users have read and write access, irrespective of the key switch position and of the set protection level. If you have called the SFC 109 "PROTECT" with MODE=12 anyway, no access is possible, even for users with a password.

· The following restrictions apply to unauthorized users:

· Protection level 1: Keyswitch setting

· Protection level 2: Write-protection, irrespective of the key switch position

· Protection level 3: Read/write-protection, irrespective of the key switch position

Note:

The password may be a maximum of 8 characters long.

Behavior of a password-protected module in operation:

Prior to the execution of online functions, the authorization is checked and the user is prompted to enter a password. Example: The module was set with protection level 2 and you want to execute the function "Modify Variables." To execute this write access function, you must enter the password.

Alternatively and independent of the type of online function you can enter the password for a protected module in SIMATIC Manager:

1. Select the protected modules or their S7 program in SIMATIC Manager.

2. Select the menu command PLC > Access Rights > Setup and enter the password in the next dialog.

After the password is entered, the authorization is always valid until the last S7 application is exited or until the access rights are canceled (PLC > Access Rights > Cancel).

Note:

You cannot restrict process control, monitoring, and communication functions. For example, you cannot use password protection to prevent access to the "Set Time/Date" function.

CPU Contains Safety Program (Parameter is only visible with H-CPUs or F-CPUs, e.g. CPU 315F-2 DP))

Protect all CPU parameters with the password for the safety program

If you enable this check box, it is no longer possible to make changes to the CPU parameters without entering the password.

Increased password security

The increased password security is only relevant for the engineering system. If the check box is selected, the password entered in the data management is stored encrypted. This setting increases the password security. The behavior in the password mode remains unchanged.

Caution: Projects in which the check box is selected may only continue to be used in STEP 7 V5.5 SP4 or higher, because this functionality is not backwards compatible!

Mode

In process operation the test functions such as program status or monitor/modify variables are restricted so that the set permitted scan cycle time increase is not exceeded. Testing with breakpoints and sequential program execution (single-step mode) are not possible.

In test operation all test functions via programming device/PC can be used without restriction that may cause considerable increases to the length of the scan cycle time. Important: If the CPU is in test operation, you must ensure that the CPU or the process can "cope" with large increases in scan cycle time.

By selecting the "Process Mode" option, you can prevent the test mode and the call environment from being selected in the program editor.

 Hope this helps