How to upload S7-1200 CPU configuration

Upload the device as a new station

STEP 7 provides two methods for uploading the hardware configuration of a connected CPU:

• Upload connected devices as new stations

• Configure an unspecified CPU and detect the hardware configuration of the connected CPU

However, it should be noted that the first method will upload both the hardware configuration and the software of the connected CPU.

Upload the device as a new station

To upload a connected device as a new station, follow these steps:

1. Expand the communication interface from the "Online access" node in the project tree.

2. Double-click "Update accessible devices".

3. Select PLC from the detected devices.

4. From the "Online" menu in STEP 7, select the "Upload device as new station (hardware and software)" menu command.

STEP 7 will upload the hardware configuration and the program blocks simultaneously.

Detecting hardware configuration of unspecified CPU

If you are connected to a CPU, you can upload the configuration of this CPU (including all modules) into your user project. Simply create a new project and select "Unspecified CPU" instead of a specific CPU. (You can also skip device configuration completely by selecting "Create a PLC program" from "First steps". STEP 7 automatically creates an unspecified CPU.) In the program editor, select the "Hardware detection" command from the "Online" menu.

In the Device Configuration Editor, select the option for detecting the configuration of the connected device.

After you select the CPU from the online dialog and click the "Load" button, STEP 7 uploads the hardware configuration of the CPU and all modules (SM, SB or CM). You can then configure parameters for the CPU and modules.