Adding CP 343-1 EX30 to STEP 7 V5.3 SP2 Hardware Catalog

Overview: The CP 343-1 EX30 and STEP 7 V5.3 SP2 Gap

The SIMATIC NET CP 343-1 EX30 (Siemens order number 6GK7343-1EX30-0XE0) is an Ethernet communications processor designed for the SIMATIC S7-300 PLC platform. It connects an S7-300 station to Industrial Ethernet and supports PROFINET IO controller operation, S7 communication, open IE communication (TCP, ISO-on-TCP, UDP), PG/OP routing, and the IT functions (HTTP web server, FTP, e-mail) that distinguish it from earlier CP variants. Released after the predecessor CP 343-1 EX21, the EX30 added the second PROFINET port with integrated 2-port switch, a larger connection resource table, and the firmware-side PROFINET features that engineers began using from approximately 2008 onward.

The release timing created a friction point for engineers still running STEP 7 V5.3 + SP2 on legacy engineering workstations. STEP 7 V5.3 + SP2 shipped with the Hardware Configuration (HW Config) catalog frozen at the catalog state of late 2004. The EX30 module is not present in that catalog, so the user cannot drag the EX30 from the SIMATIC 300 > CP-300 > ... subtree into the S7-300 rack. HW Config reports the module as "unknown" or simply omits it from the catalog browser, and the module diagnostic buffer fills with event ID 0x001E (type mismatch) if the EX30 is installed but no catalog entry exists.

This article documents three engineering solutions that resolve the gap without abandoning STEP 7 V5.3 + SP2 as the engineering platform. It also lists the EX30 features that are lost when a substitute is used, and the verification steps that confirm the chosen path is functionally complete for the application at hand. The CP 343-1 family manual and STEP 7 installation guides linked below are the authoritative references; this article distills the engineering decisions into a single procedure.

Prerequisites

Before applying any of the three solutions below, verify that the following items are available on the engineering workstation.

• STEP 7 V5.3 + SP2 installed (service pack level visible from Help > About). The instructions also apply to V5.3 + SP3 with identical behavior.
• Administrator-level Windows account for installing updates, HSPs, or upgrading STEP 7.
• A SIMATIC S7-300 project already created in STEP 7, with rack (UR/CR) and CPU (for example, CPU 315-2 DP 6ES7 315-2AG10-0AB0) configured in HW Config.
• CP 343-1 EX30 module physically present in the rack (or the application is still at the planning stage and no hardware is wired yet).
• Optional but recommended: a recent project backup (S7 project archive .s7p file) before any hardware substitution or upgrade. The archive must include the global and station subprojects.
• Optional: Siemens Industry Online Support account (registration free of charge) for downloading HSP packages or service packs.
• Ethernet patch cable and a known-good switch port for the loopback verification step described later.

Compatibility Matrix: CP 343-1 EX30 vs STEP 7 Releases

The table below summarizes the catalog availability of the CP 343-1 EX30 and its predecessor EX21 across the STEP 7 V5.x line. "Built-in" means the module appears directly in HW Config without any additional installation; "HSP" means a hardware support package must be installed; "No" means the module cannot be added without upgrading STEP 7 or substituting a predecessor.

Decision rule. If the workstation can be upgraded, moving to STEP 7 V5.5 + the latest service pack is the cleanest path because it brings the EX30 (and most subsequent SIMATIC S7-300 modules) into the catalog without any manual hardware substitution. If the workstation cannot be upgraded (license, validation, or GMP-regulated environment constraints), substitute the EX21 in HW Config and accept the EX30 feature delta documented later in this article. The third option - an HSP install - is only viable when the HSP cover page explicitly lists the running STEP 7 version as a supported host.

Identifying the Module in the Catalog

Before applying any solution, confirm that the user is looking at the correct catalog branch in HW Config. The CP 343-1 family sits under the following tree:

SIMATIC 300
  CP-300
    Industrial Ethernet
      CP 343-1
        6GK7 343-1EX11-0XE0  (older, 1 port)
        6GK7 343-1EX21-0XE0  (CP 343-1 EX21, 1 port)
        6GK7 343-1EX30-0XE0  (CP 343-1 EX30, 2 ports)
        6GK7 343-1GX20-0XE0  (CP 343-1 IT, with extended IT)
        6GK7 343-1HX00-0XE0  (CP 343-1 PN, PROFINET focus)

If only the EX21 entry appears and the EX30 entry is missing, the catalog is missing the EX30. If no CP 343-1 entries appear at all, the STEP 7 install is corrupt and must be repaired.

Solution 1 - Substitute the Predecessor CP 343-1 EX21 in HW Config

This is the path Siemens technical support has historically endorsed when an engineering workstation cannot be upgraded. The EX21 is the functional predecessor of the EX30 and is present in the STEP 7 V5.3 + SP2 catalog. By placing an EX21 in HW Config and then physically installing the EX30 hardware, the project downloads and operates correctly for the S7 communication, PG/OP routing, and basic open IE functions that EX21 already supports.

Substitution procedure

1. Open the STEP 7 project in the SIMATIC Manager.
2. Double-click Hardware to launch HW Config.
3. Open the catalog on the right. Navigate to SIMATIC 300 > CP-300 > Industrial Ethernet > CP 343-1 > 6GK7 343-1EX21-0XE0.
4. Drag the EX21 into the slot in the rack that the EX30 will physically occupy (typically slot 4 for a CPU 314/315/317-based station; consult the S7-300 manual for the slot rule).
5. Double-click the placed module to open its properties dialog. Set the IP address, subnet mask, and any PROFINET device names if PROFINET IO controller operation is intended.
6. Click OK to close the properties dialog and save the HW Config (Station > Save and Compile).
7. Power the rack down, install the EX30 hardware in the same slot, and bring the rack back up. STEP 7 will detect the EX30 firmware and use the EX21 configuration as the starting point.
8. Download the HW Config to the target station with PLC > Download.

What is lost with EX21 substitution

When the EX21 is used in place of the EX30, the following EX30-specific functions are unavailable. Each item below has been historically documented as the source of complaints when engineers discover them at commissioning time.

• Web-based diagnostics via the integrated web server. EX21 supports a smaller subset of diagnostics pages; full web diagnostics (entry-level pages, port statistics, connection overview, diagnostic buffer view) require EX30.
• Increased connection count. EX30 firmware raised the maximum number of simultaneously usable S7 and open IE connections. If the project requires more than the EX21 connection maximum, the EX21 will reject connection attempts after the cap is reached. The exact cap is firmware-dependent; consult the CP 343-1 manual for the firmware version installed in the EX30.
• PROFINET IO controller mode is available on EX21 but with reduced I/O slot limits compared with EX30. PROFINET IO device (controller-to-device) operation is supported on both.
• E-mail and FTP client functions via the EX30 firmware libraries may not be present on EX21. Engineers using the standard FB blocks (FB 126 for e-mail send, FB 127 for FTP, plus the open IE blocks) for e-mail/FTP from the CP must verify the FB version matches the substituted module. See the CP 343-1 manual section "Communication blocks for open IE communication" for the block-to-firmware map.
• Firmware-side enhancements such as additional security options, updated SNMP behavior, and extended PROFINET alarm handling ship with EX30 firmware but are absent on EX21 firmware.
• Front-panel 2-port switch with line topology (daisy-chain) is a hardware feature of EX30 only. EX21 has a single RJ45 port. Substitution requires the application to tolerate a star topology instead of a line topology if the EX30 had been intended to daisy-chain downstream PROFINET devices.

Topology implication: star vs line with the integrated switch

The EX30's two RJ45 ports are connected internally through a 100 Mbit/s store-and-forward switch. The topology difference is shown in the SVG diagram below. In the EX21 (single port) world, the rack sits at the end of a cable run back to a managed switch. In the EX30 world, the rack can sit in the middle of a daisy chain, eliminating one managed switch port per station. This is operationally significant when the cabinet layout has limited copper run length.

Solution 2 - Upgrade STEP 7 to a Version That Supports EX30

When the engineering workstation can be upgraded, moving to STEP 7 V5.4 + SP4 or later (V5.4 SP5, V5.5, V5.5 SPx) brings the EX30 module into the HW Config catalog without any project-side trick. This is the recommended long-term path because the catalog stays in sync with the rest of the SIMATIC S7-300 / S7-400 / C7 modules that engineers add to their stations in subsequent years. It also unlocks the latest HSPs and service packs.

Upgrade procedure

1. Identify the current STEP 7 license and version. Help > About in the SIMATIC Manager reports the version and service pack level.
2. Decide between (a) installing a service pack on the existing STEP 7 V5.4 or V5.5 install, or (b) a fresh install of STEP 7 V5.5 + latest SP. Service packs are smaller and faster to apply; full installs are appropriate when the OS has changed (for example, Windows XP > Windows 10).
3. Download the appropriate service pack or full installer from the Siemens Industry Online Support portal at support.industry.siemens.com. The file is delivered as an executable that self-extracts.
4. Close all SIMATIC applications (SIMATIC Manager, HW Config, SFC, SFB, NetPro, etc.) before starting the upgrade. The setup rejects an upgrade if any SIMATIC process is holding files.
5. Run the setup as a Windows administrator. Accept the license terms and select Upgrade if prompted.
6. After the setup finishes, restart the engineering workstation.
7. Open STEP 7. Verify the new version under Help > About.
8. Reopen the project and open HW Config. Navigate to SIMATIC 300 > CP-300 > Industrial Ethernet > CP 343-1 > 6GK7 343-1EX30-0XE0. The module should now appear in the catalog.
9. Drag the EX30 into the correct slot, configure IP and PROFINET settings, and download to the target station.

Solution 3 - Install a Siemens Hardware Support Package (HSP)

Siemens publishes Hardware Support Packages (HSPs) that extend the HW Config catalog of an existing STEP 7 installation without upgrading STEP 7 itself. An HSP contains the GSD-equivalent catalog data and module type files for modules released after the catalog freeze of the running STEP 7 SP. HSPs are an established Siemens delivery mechanism and have been available for the SIMATIC S7-300 / S7-400 / ET 200 families for over a decade. They are referenced in the STEP 7 online help under Options > Install HW Updates.

HSP discovery procedure

1. Open the Siemens Industry Online Support portal at support.industry.siemens.com.
2. Search for the CP 343-1 EX30 entry, then look for the "Hardware Support Package" or "HSP" download associated with the module.
3. Read the HSP README/cover page. The HSP lists (a) which STEP 7 versions it supports, (b) which firmware version of the target module it describes, and (c) any constraints.
4. Verify that the HSP explicitly lists STEP 7 V5.3 + SP2 (or V5.3 + SP3) as a supported host. If it does not, the HSP cannot be installed on V5.3 and Solution 1 or 2 applies instead.

HSP installation procedure (when the HSP supports the host STEP 7 version)

1. Close all SIMATIC applications.
2. Run the HSP executable. The installer places the HSP files in the STEP 7 catalog tree (typically under ...\Siemens\Automation\S7BIN\HSP).
3. Open HW Config in STEP 7.
4. From the HW Config menu, choose Options > Install HW Updates (or Options > Install GSD Files, depending on the HSP type). The dialog scans the HSP directories and lists the new catalog entries.
5. Select the EX30 module entry and click Install.
6. Restart HW Config and verify that SIMATIC 300 > CP-300 > Industrial Ethernet > CP 343-1 > 6GK7 343-1EX30-0XE0 now appears in the catalog.
7. Drag the EX30 into the rack, configure, and download.

Feature Comparison: CP 343-1 EX21 vs CP 343-1 EX30

Use this table when you must decide whether the EX21 substitution in Solution 1 is acceptable for the application. Any "EX30 only" cell is a hard constraint that disqualifies Solution 1 unless the application tolerates losing that feature. Connection counts are listed as ranges because the exact number depends on the firmware version installed on the CP at the time of commissioning; consult the CP 343-1 manual for the precise figure for the running firmware.

Configuration Steps After the Module Is in the Catalog

Regardless of which of the three solutions was used to make the EX30 (or EX21 substitute) appear in HW Config, the following configuration steps complete the setup for a typical S7-300 station. Treat them as the verification section for the chosen solution.

1. IP address and subnet

Double-click the module in HW Config. Open the Properties dialog > Parameters. Set:

• IP address: e.g., 192.168.0.10 (must be unique on the subnet).
• Subnet mask: e.g., 255.255.255.0.
• Router use: off unless the station needs to cross a router.

Click New under Subnet to create an Ethernet subnet if the project does not have one already. Click OK to close.

2. PROFINET IO configuration (only if used)

If the EX30 acts as PROFINET IO controller, drag PROFINET IO devices from the catalog onto the PROFINET IO system. Assign device names and IP addresses per the device documentation. The PROFINET device name must match exactly what is in the IO device's configuration (for example, assigned via the SIMATIC Manager > Target system > Ethernet > Assign PROFINET device name). A common field fault is the device being named et200s-1 in the project but the physical station reporting as et200s-1.local; the assignment tool strips the .local suffix but the project string must still match character-for-character otherwise.

3. Connection configuration

Configure S7 connections or open IE connections via Options > Configure Network in the SIMATIC Manager (NetPro). For each connection, specify the partner, the connection type (S7, TCP, ISO-on-TCP, UDP), and the local and partner TSAP / port. Typical S7 connection properties:

Connection type:     S7 connection
Local end point:     CP 343-1 EX30 (own station)
Local TSAP:          03.02 (slot 3 = CP, rack 0 = rack 0)
Partner end point:   Partner IP / rack / slot
Partner TSAP:        03.02 (CPU 31x) or 04.02 (CPU 31x PN)
Active connection establishment: project-dependent

4. Save and download

Save the HW Config with Ctrl+S. Compile the project (Station > Save and Compile). Download the hardware configuration to the target station with PLC > Download to Target Station. The target CP should run in RUN with the new configuration after a brief stop/start or with STOP-download-RUN as preferred for the application.

Programming Open IE Connections with FB Blocks

Engineers who use the EX30 (or EX21 substitute) for TCP, ISO-on-TCP, or UDP traffic from the S7 program do so through the open IE FB blocks. The four primary blocks are FB 65 (TCON - connection establishment), FB 66 (TDISCON - connection termination), FB 67 (TUSEND / TURECV - UDP send/receive), and FB 63 (TSEND / TRCV - TCP send/receive). The blocks reside in the standard library and require the connection ID, connection type, and partner address as input. A typical TCON call has the structure shown below.

CALL  FB 65, DB 65
   REQ            := TRUE                    // request to establish
   ID             := 1                       // connection ID from NetPro
   DONE           := #done                   // 1 = success on rising edge
   BUSY           := #busy                   // 1 = call in progress
   ERROR          := #error                  // 1 = error occurred
   STATUS         := #status                 // W#16#0000 on success
   CONNECT        := P#DB100.DBX0.0 BYTE 60 // pointer to UDT 65 connection desc.

Common STATUS codes and their meaning:

The exact mapping of FB versions to CP firmware is documented in the CP 343-1 manual section "Communication blocks for open IE communication" linked on the Siemens support portal. When substituting EX21 for EX30, verify the FB version present in the project against the manual table; a newer FB may refuse to download if the EX21 firmware does not support the corresponding feature flag.

Verification Checklist

After the download, run the following checks to confirm the chosen solution is functionally complete.

1. Module status. In HW Config online view (Station > Open Online), the CP should report No fault and the diagnostic buffer should be empty of configuration errors. A common transient is event ID 0x001E (parameter assignment error) immediately after a STOP-RUN transition; it should clear after the next configuration download.
2. Connection status. In NetPro online view, all configured connections should report Established. Connections that stay Not established after the partner is in RUN typically point to IP, subnet, or TSAP mismatches.
3. PG reachability. From a PG on the same subnet, ping the CP's IP address. A successful ping confirms the IP layer is up and the Ethernet link is functional. Use ping -t for a continuous test during a CPU restart to verify link recovery.
4. Web diagnostics (EX30 only). Open a browser to http://<CP-IP>. The EX30 web diagnostics page should load and report module status, connection status, and diagnostic buffer entries. Default credentials are documented in the CP 343-1 manual; change them at first commissioning.
5. PROFINET device check (if used). In HW Config online, expand the PROFINET IO system. All attached IO devices should report OK. A device in Fault state typically indicates a device name mismatch or a missing PROFINET device assignment.
6. Function blocks (e-mail / FTP / open IE). If the project uses FB blocks, trigger a test execution and verify the CP returns a STATUS code that is not in the error range. Common STATUS codes are listed in the table above.
7. Diagnostic buffer snapshot. From STEP 7, PLC > Diagnostic/Setting > Diagnostic Buffer. Verify the buffer is empty of "Parameter assignment error" and "Module not in slot" entries that would indicate a configuration mismatch.

Troubleshooting Matrix

Engineering Caveats and Field Notes

• Part number string in the source question. The original support thread referenced the predecessor part number as 6GK7 343-121-0XE0. This is treated as a transcription typo for the documented predecessor 6GK7 343-1EX21-0XE0. If the physical module has a different printed order number, verify with the CP 343-1 manual cover page before substitution.
• Slot rule. The CP 343-1 family slots into slots 4 to 11 of the S7-300 rack, with the CPU in slot 2 and the IM in slot 3. Slot 4 is the most common location. The EX30 cannot be placed in slot 1, 2, or 3. Confirm with the S7-300 mounting manual for the specific rack in use.
• Firmware version pinning. The EX30 ships with several firmware versions over its lifecycle. When ordering replacement units, specify the exact firmware version that matches the rest of the fleet; mixing firmware versions in a single Ethernet subnet is acceptable but complicates long-term support.
• Validation environments. In GxP / FDA-validated environments, modifying the engineering tool version (for example, upgrading from STEP 7 V5.3 to V5.5) typically triggers a validation re-qualification cycle. Solution 1 (substitute EX21) is therefore the preferred path in those environments despite its feature delta, because the engineering tool stays at V5.3 + SP2.
• Combined rack with multiple CPs. A station can hold more than one CP 343-1 (for example, one for the office network and one for the field network). When substituting EX21 for EX30 in only one of two CPs, document which slot uses which substitute to avoid confusion during maintenance.
• Firmware update path. The EX30 firmware can be updated via the STEP 7 PLC > Update Firmware dialog, which requires the FW update file (typically *.upd) on the local disk. The update process takes 2-5 minutes and must not be interrupted. EX21 firmware updates are limited to legacy FWs and may not include the security patches issued for EX30.
• Cross-platform project migration. Projects created in STEP 7 V5.3 + SP2 open in V5.5 via File > Retrieve of the .s7p archive. STEP 7 recompiles the project to the new catalog automatically. Cross-check slot assignments, connection tables, and any FB block versions, then download and verify.

Related Manuals and Reference Documents

The following official Siemens documents support the procedures above. Use the Siemens Industry Online Support portal at support.industry.siemens.com to retrieve the latest revision of each manual.

• SIMATIC NET CP 343-1 - Manual Collection (operating instructions, function manual, and connection description).
• SIMATIC S7-300 - Installation and Mounting Manual (rack layout, slot rules, grounding).
• STEP 7 V5.x - Programming and Operating Manual (HW Config, NetPro, FB block library).
• STEP 7 V5.x - Service Pack readme (release notes per service pack).

Frequently Asked Questions