The SIMATIC CloudConnect 712 and 716 are industrial Ethernet gateways designed to connect process stations to cloud systems and OPC UA clients. These devices facilitate data transfer and communication in automation environments.
Function Description
The primary function of the SIMATIC CloudConnect gateway is to act as a bridge between process stations (such as SIMATIC S7-300/400/1200/1500 and Modbus controllers) and various cloud systems or OPC UA clients. It supports communication via Ethernet and, for the CC716 model, PROFIBUS.
For cloud connections, the gateway supports the MQTT protocol (OASIS standard version 3.1 / 3.1.1) and is adapted for communication with several cloud systems, including:
- MindSphere (Siemens): Utilizes the MindConnect IoT Extension service for publishing data.
- AWS (Amazon): Supports IoT Core service for both publishing and subscribing.
- Azure (Microsoft): Supports IoT Hub service for both publishing and subscribing.
- IBM Cloud (IBM): Supports Watson IoT Platform service for both publishing and subscribing.
- Other Cloud: Provides a profile for generic cloud systems, supporting both publishing and subscribing.
As an OPC UA server, the gateway reads process data from S7 CPUs and makes it available to one or more OPC UA clients. It supports reading and writing tags, monitoring tags (MonitoredItems) using Subscriptions, and hierarchical address browsing. The OPC UA server is implemented based on the "Micro Embedded Device 2017 Server Profile" of the OPC Foundation, adhering to IEC 62541 specifications for overview, security, address space model, data types, services, information model, mappings, and profiles.
The gateway's configuration is managed through a Web Based Management (WBM) interface, accessible via HTTPS from a configuration PC. The WBM allows for:
- User management: Defining administrator roles and passwords.
- Configuration: Setting basic functions (time, IP address), connecting process stations, and configuring connections to higher-level networks (cloud, OPC clients) and communication functions.
- Maintenance and diagnostic functions: Diagnostics, loading/storing configuration data, and downloading new firmware versions.
The CC716 model includes additional digital input/output functionalities. The digital input can trigger data point transfers or stop/start process communication, while the digital output can signal connection status to the cloud.
Important Technical Specifications
SIMATIC CloudConnect 712 (6GK1411-1AC00):
- Industrial Ethernet: 2 x Gigabit interfaces (P1, P2) with RJ-45 jacks, galvanically isolated. Supports 10/100/1000 Mbps, half/full duplex, autocrossover, autonegotiation, and autosensing.
- Power Supply: 24 V DC (19.2 V to 28.8 V permitted range). Typical current consumption: 200 mA. Typical effective power loss: 4.8 W.
- Terminal Block: 5-pin plug-in terminal block with reverse polarity protection. M2 clamping screw, 0.4-2.5 mm screwdriver blade. Tightening torque: 0.2-0.25 Nm.
- Connectable Cable Cross-sections: 0.5-2.5 mm² / AWG 20-12 (without wire end ferrule), 0.5-1.5 mm² / AWG 20-16 (with wire end ferrule).
- Overvoltage Category: Category II according to IEC/EN 60664-1.
- Ambient Temperature (Operating): 0 °C to +60 °C (rack installed horizontally), 0 °C to +50 °C (rack installed vertically).
- Ambient Temperature (Storage/Transportation): -40 °C to +70 °C.
- Relative Humidity (Operating): ≤ 60 % at 25 °C, no condensation.
- Corrosive Gas Test: ISA-S71.04 severity level G1, G2, G3 (SO2 < 0.5 ppm, H2S < 0.1 ppm).
- Module Format: Compact module S7-1500.
- Degree of Protection: IP20.
- Weight: 300 g.
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 35 x 147 x 127 mm.
- Mounting Type: 35 mm DIN rail, S7-300/S7-1500 standard rail, wall mounting.
SIMATIC CloudConnect 716 (6GK1411-5AC00):
- Industrial Ethernet: Same as CC712.
- PROFIBUS: 1 x PROFIBUS/MPI interface (MPI/DP), 9-pin D-sub socket, RS-485.
- PROFIBUS Transmission Speeds: 9.6 kbps to 12 Mbps.
- PROFIBUS Current Consumption: 15 mA at 5 V (for bus termination).
- Digital Input: 1 x 2-pin terminal block (DI). Rated voltage 24 V DC SELV. State "1": 13-30 V DC, State "0": -30 to 3 V DC. Max input current 8 mA. Max cable length < 30 m. Input isolated from electronics. Min pulse length: 100 ms.
- Digital Output: 1 x 2-pole terminal block (DO). Rated voltage 24 V DC SELV. Internal, not current-limited. Max current-carrying capacity 1 A. Max cable length < 30 m. Output isolated from electronics.
- Power Supply: Same as CC712, but typical current consumption 250 mA and typical effective power loss 6 W.
- Design, dimensions and weight: Same as CC712, but weight 400 g.
Usage Features
- IP Configuration: Supports IPv4 and IPv6 (for cloud interface). IP address, subnet mask, and default router can be manually set or obtained via DHCP. Hostname resolution via DNS server is optional.
- Time Synchronization: NTP (Network Time Protocol) and secure NTP are supported for time-of-day synchronization over Industrial Ethernet.
- CLP (Exchangeable Storage Medium): An optional CLP (not shipped with the product) can store configuration data, simplifying device replacement. New CLPs must be formatted by the gateway.
- Configuration Limits:
- S7 Connections: Max. 1 for CC712, Max. 7 for CC716.
- Modbus Connections: Max. 10.
- Configuration PC Connections: Max. 1 HTTPS.
- Tags in S7 CPUs: Max. 500 for CC712, Max. 3500 for CC716.
- Tags per S7 CPU: Max. 500.
- Tags per Array (S7 CPU import): Max. 500.
- Tags in Modbus Stations: Max. 100.
- Cloud Broker Sessions: Max. 1.
- OPC UA Client Connections: Max. 10 simultaneous.
- OPC UA Server Tags: Max. 500 for CC712, Max. 3500 for CC716.
- OPC UA Subscriptions: Max. 5 per session, 50 total.
- OPC UA Items per Subscription: Max. 500 per subscription, 2500 total.
- S7 Station Requirements: PUT/GET communication must be activated, and "Optimized block access" disabled for relevant DBs. Tags must be marked "Accessible from HMI/OPC UA" and "Writable from HMI/OPC UA" for write access.
- Web Browser Compatibility: Supports Apple Safari, Firefox Quantum, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Microsoft Internet Explorer. Requires cookies and JavaScript enabled.
- Data Point Configuration: Data points can be configured manually or imported from STEP 7 files (DB tags, PLC tags, symbols). Multiple data points can be edited simultaneously.
- Triggering Data Transfer: Data transfer to the cloud can be initiated by time triggers (cyclic, once daily/weekly/monthly), value triggers (deviation, threshold, range), or digital input triggers (CC716 only).
- User Data Format: Supports JSON, JSON PubSub, XML, and MindConnect IoT Extension templates for user data formatting, with UTF-8 character encoding. Escape sequences are used for special characters.
- QoS (Quality of Service): For MQTT, QoS 0 (at most once), QoS 1 (at least once), and QoS 2 (exactly once) are supported for message transfer. Data buffering for QoS 1 and 2 ensures reliability during connection aborts.
Maintenance Features
- LED Diagnostics: Front panel LEDs indicate power status, device connection, cloud connection, security status, Ethernet link activity (P1/P2), PROFIBUS status (CC716), and digital I/O status (CC716).
- Web Diagnostics: The WBM provides diagnostic messages for internal events and errors, including time stamps and message text (notes in blue, warnings in red).
- Logging: Important events can be exported to log files (*.log, *.csv for security events, .tqz for diagnostic messages). Encrypted trace files (.enc) can be sent to Siemens Industry Online Support for analysis.
- Syslog Messages: The gateway outputs Syslog messages according to RFC 5424 / RFC 5426, based on IEC 62443-3-3, to a configured Syslog server (default UDP port 514). Messages include priority, timestamp, hostname, application name, process ID, message ID, structured data (timeQuality), and message text.
- Firmware Update: New firmware versions can be downloaded via the WBM. Firmware is digitally signed and encrypted to prevent manipulation.
- Configuration Backup: Configuration data can be saved to a file on a PC or CLP and reloaded, facilitating commissioning of multiple gateways or device replacement. Certificates, private keys, and user data are not saved in configuration files.
- Restart and Reset:
- Restart: Retains configuration data and restarts the gateway. Can be initiated via WBM or the "SET" button.
- Reset to Factory Settings: Deletes all configuration data, certificates, keys, user data, and process data. Data on an optional CLP is also deleted. The gateway reverts to its factory default IP address.
- Device Replacement: In case of a defective device, the configuration can be transferred to a new gateway using a previously saved configuration file on a PC or CLP. Repairs are not possible on-site.
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