Specifications

SIMATIC Thin Clients 21
SIMATIC Thin Clients
for distributed operator control and monitoring
If long distances are required between the operating unit
and, for example, a Comfort Panel, SIMATIC Thin Clients
are recommended. These economical and flexible operat-
ing units can also be used to access different HMI devices
or PCs over PROFINET/ Ethernet.
Operation of the SIMATIC Thin Clients is realized via the
touch screen or an external keyboard or mouse connected
to the USB interface.
Economical operator stations
Client-server architectures have become a permanent feature
of the classical IT environment. The advantage lies in the fact
that the "expensive" computing performance is only required
on the servers. The low-cost clients are provided for their ap-
plications in the network. The thin client is only used to input
and output data. The actual data processing is performed by
the server. The software itself only executes on the server, so
maintenance and update costs are reduced.
High degree of ruggedness
As remote operator terminal without hard disk and fan, the
SIMATIC Thin Client can be operated on machines with partic-
ularly high mechanical ruggedness requirements (e.g. vibra-
tion resistance). You can find information on a version with
complete IP65 protection on page 20.
Integrated communication
Branched structures that cover large areas can be created and
several operator stations can be connected to one server
through direct connection of the thin clients to PROFINET/
Ethernet.
Thin clients usually communicate over standard protocols
such as Remote Desktop (RDP), Virtual Network Computing
(VNC), or Citrix.
RDP is currently included in every Microsoft operating system
and only needs to be activated. A thin client can access the
desktop of the server via RDP and carry out remote operation.
The main difference between VNC and RDP is that VNC dis-
plays a "cloned" desktop if two or more operating units panels
are connected.
Via RDP – and with a non-server operating system – only one
operating unit can be active at a time and operate the server.
In this case, all other stations display the log-in window. Citrix
is frequently used with highly complex client/server architec-
tures.
The principle: The applications which can be accessed by the
clients are defined on the server. The clients can then connect
themselves automatically to the applications released on the
server.
Access to the visualization software SIMATIC WinCC is possible
in the industrial environment with a SIMATIC Thin Client
through protocols such as Sm@rtServer.
The server can be, for example, a SIMATIC HMI Comfort Panel
or a PC. Two or more thin clients can be operated depending
on the server's performance. The advantage: If the HMI proj-
ect is changed, the modification need only be carried out once
centrally on the server. Low-cost and flexible structures can
also be produced for SCADA applications using thin clients.
For example, the thin client can communicate as an HMI client
with the WinCC SCADA software via RDP. A completely new
feature is that a SINUMERIK CNC for a machine tool can now
also be directly operated via a SIMATIC Thin Client.
SIMATIC Thin Client Ex
The SIMATIC Thin Client Ex can be connected as a thin client
or monitor over Ethernet at an unlimited distance from the as-
sociated computer unit.
The SIMATIC Thin Client Ex can be implemented without spe-
cial measures such as costly enclosures or additional certifica-
tion procedures, directly in hazardous areas of Zones 1/21 and
2/22.
SIMATIC Thin Clients with 10" and 15" touch screen
© Siemens AG 2011