Technical data

Appendix
27.5 Expanding DP Slaves That Were Created with Previous Versions of STEP 7
Programming with STEP 7
632 Manual, 05/2010, A5E02789666-01
27.5 Expanding DP Slaves That Were Created with Previous Versions of
STEP 7
Constellations That Can Be Formed by Importing New *.GSD Files
New DP slaves can be accepted by the HW Config if you install new device database files (*.GSD
files) into the Hardware Catalog. After installation, they are available in the Other Field Devices
folder.
You cannot reconfigure or expand a modular DP slave in the usual manner if all of the following
conditions exist:
• The slave was configured with a previous version of STEP 7.
• The slave was represented in the Hardware Catalog by a type file rather than a *.GSD file.
• A new *.GSD file was installed over the slave.
Remedy
If you want to use the DP slave with new modules that are described in the *.GSD file:
• Delete the DP slave and configure it again. Then the DP slave is described completely by the
*.GSD file, not by the type file.
If you do not want to use any new modules that are described only in the *.GSD file:
• Under PROFIBUS-DP in the Hardware Catalog window, select the "Other FIELD
DEVICES/Compatible PROFIBUS-DP Slaves" folder. STEP 7 moves the "old" type files into
this folder when they are replaced by new *.GSD files. In this folder you will find the modules
with which you can expand the already configured DP slave.
Constellation after Replacement of Type Files by GSD Files in STEP 7 V5.1 Service Pack 4
As of STEP 7 V5.1, Service Pack 4, the type files have been either updated or largely replaced by
GSD files. This replacement only affects the catalog profiles supplied with STEP 7, not any catalog
profiles that you may have created yourself.
DP slaves whose properties were previously determined by type files and are now determined by
GSD files are still located in the same place in the hardware catalog.
The "old" type files were not deleted but moved to another place in the hardware catalog. They are
now located in the catalog folder "Other field devices\Compatible PROFIBUS DP slaves\...".
Expanding an Existing DP Configuration with STEP 7, as of V5.1 Service Pack 4
If you edit a project that was created with a previous version of STEP 7 (earlier than V5.1, SP4)
and you want to expand a modular DP slave, then you cannot use the modules or submodules
taken from the usual place in the hardware catalog. In this case, use the DP slave found at "Other
FIELD DEVICES\Compatible PROFIBUS DP slaves\...".