The new IRT isochronous mode enables the IRT send clock to be transferred

Highlights SIMATIC STEP 7 V21
STEP 7 V21 includes new features for all phases of the engineering workflow.

Hardware
SIMATIC S7-1500 / ET 200 CPUs FW Version V4.1 (incl. R/H-CPUs)

• Higher quantity structures for OPC UA methods on server (including R/H CPUs) and client (without R/H CPUs)
• The following new functions are available for User Management & Access Control (UMAC): Users can create and restore a backup, configuration of the temporary account lockout
• IP forwarding can now also be controlled directly in the user program
  By writing a central data record in the CPU, IP forwarding can be activated or deactivated via all local interfaces of the CPU

SIMATIC S7-1500 / ET 200 CPUs FW version V4.1 (without R/H CPUs)

• Cross-configuration isochronous operation
• The new IRT isochronous mode enables the IRT send clock to be transferred between different projects. This allows isochronous data exchange between two CPUs in separate projects, provided that the CPUs support "PROFINET with IRT" on multiple PROFINET interfaces.
• Security certificates can be updated for the OPC UA client using GDS Push.
• System web pages
  The functional scope of the system web pages has been significantly expanded. The following functions have been added: Motion control diagnostics, hardware status, safety administration, service data and extended basic information and the operator panel

SIMATIC S7-1500R/H-CPUs FW version V4.1

• Hardware changes in RUN mode
• During operation, new PROFINET IO devices can be added and parameter assignments of existing IO modules can be adapted. These changes to the hardware configuration are made without switching the redundant CPUs to the STOP state and are loaded directly in the "RUN-Redundant" system state.
• Security certificates can be updated for the OPC UA client using GDS Push. For R/H systems, GDS Push can be performed in the "RUN-Redundant" state without stopping the system.
• Higher quantity structures for OPC UA methods on the server for CPU 1517H and CPU1518HF
• Number of PROFINET IO devices: Up to 512 (previously 256) PROFINET IO devices can now be connected to CPU 1517H and CPU 1518HF.
• Extended web server functionality: The integrated web server now provides access to system web pages that enable a browser-based view of the system information of the R/H CPUs. In addition, the range of Web API functions has been significantly expanded.
• Web server
  Access to the integrated web server is now also possible via the system IP addresses of the internal interfaces.
• Improved system IP address: The transfer of the system IP address to the backup CPU is now also possible when the OPC UA server is activated.
• RFID integration through new technology object
  The TO_Ident technology object is now supported and enables simplified integration of RFID readers.
• Extension of the OB83 start events The OB 83 (Pull/Push OB) is available for the redundant S7-1500R/H system with additional start events (for re-configuration of an I/O module via CiR (Configuration in Run)).

SIMATIC ET 200SP CPUs FW version V4.1

• Extended PROFINET range thanks to Long Distance BusAdapter
  The SIMATIC BusAdapter in Long Distance version (2xLC-LD, LC-LD/RJ45, LC-LD/M12) now enables cable lengths of up to 20 km.
  Prerequisite:

1. ET 200SP CPU with FS 05 and FW version V4.1
2. SIMATIC BusAdapter 2xLC-LD, LC-LD/RJ45 and LC-LD/M12 with FS 03

Expansion of the ET 200 distributed I/O
The functions of some modules have been extended for the ET 200 distributed I/O. The following functions have been added, among others: CiR (Configuration in Run), extended safety functions, improved communication options via various fieldbuses and increased I/O capacities.

SIMATIC S7-1200 G2
The PLC family S7-1200 G2 is the second generation of the S7-1200. The firmware of the S7‑1200 G2 offers new functionalities and supports most of the functions of the predecessors of the S7‑1200 system with some deviations.

The following safety functions are available:
Digital output modules, modules for timer-counter functions and modules for drive control have also been added

• Password protection
• Access to the CPU functions can be set up as required.
• Know-how protection
• The code in blocks can be hidden.
• Protection of confidential PLC configuration data
• Secure communication for PG/PC and HMI
• Secure Boot

You can connect expansion boards and expansion modules to the CPU to expand its functionality.
The following types are available:

• Communications boards (CB)
• Signal boards (SBs)
• Battery boards (BB)
• Communications modules (CMs)
• Communications processors (CPs)
• Signal modules (SMs)