Overview
The SCALANCE X208 (Siemens catalog number 6GK5208-0BA00-2AA2) is a managed industrial Ethernet switch from the SCALANCE XC/XB/XR family used extensively in PCS 7 plants. A common configuration mistake is to attempt to add the SCALANCE as a "controllable" PROFINET device in the SIMATIC PCS 7 HW Config. The switch is treated as a transparent layer-2 device in the PCS 7 project. All PROFINET nodes — such as an IE/PB LINK PN IO (6GK1411-5AB00) and a SIMOCODE PRO VPN motor protection device — are inserted directly on the Ethernet subnet that is anchored at the PROFINET interface of the CPU 410 (AS 410).
This reference describes the correct PCS 7 engineering flow: placing the SCALANCE in the rack, building the Ethernet/PROFINET subnet, dragging the IE/PB LINK PN IO and SIMOCODE PRO VPN from the hardware catalog onto the subnet, configuring device names/IP addresses, and wiring the port topology. It also covers Media Redundancy Protocol (MRP) configuration, which is the most common reason an X208 ring will not come up after a change.
Prerequisites
- SIMATIC PCS 7 V9.0 SPx or V10 installed with the latest hotfix (PCS 7 V10 corresponds to STEP 7 V5.7 / TIA Portal V18 integration).
- AS 410 CPU with PROFINET interface enabled (CPU 410-5H PN/DP,
6ES7410-5HX08-0AB0or newer-0AB1revision). - SCALANCE X208 with current firmware (≥ V4.x for X-200 series). Verify with the Web Based Management (WBM) page Information > Version.
- IE/PB LINK PN IO (
6GK1411-5AB00) for PROFIBUS integration behind the switch. - SIMOCODE PRO VPN (
3UF7010-1AB00-0or3UF7011-1AB00-0) for motor management. - SIMATIC Manager or TIA Portal (whichever is the project editor) with the correct device description (GSD/GSDML) installed:
- GSDML for IE/PB LINK PN IO: Siemens_0816_PNIO_IE_PB_Link_PN_IO
- GSDML for SIMOCODE PRO VPN: GSDML-Vx.x-Siemens-SIMOCODE_PRO_VPN-YYYYMMDD.xml
- Network cables: PROFINET copper, Cat 5e or better, M12 D-coded for cabinet or RJ45 for office-side.
SCALANCE X208 Hardware Reference
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Article number | 6GK5208-0BA00-2AA2 |
| Port count | 8 × RJ45, 10/100 Mbit/s |
| Mounting | DIN rail / S7-300 rail compatible |
| Power supply | 2 × 24 V DC, redundant |
| Ring manager support | Yes (MRP, MRP client) |
| PROFINET device role | Transparent (no IO controller / no IO device) |
| Default IP (out of box) | None — must be assigned via DHCP, PST, or primary setup tool |
| Web access | https://<ip> (default credentials: admin / admin — change in WBM) |
For PROFINET conformance, the X208 is recognized by the engineering tool as a "SCALANCE X Switch" PROFINET node for topology purposes only. It does not expose cyclic IO data. References: see the SCALANCE X-200 product manual and the Siemens TIA configuration guide for SCALANCE X.
Step-by-Step: Adding Devices Through the SCALANCE X208
Step 1 — Open HW Config in PCS 7
From the SIMATIC Manager component view, double-click the AS 410 station and open the hardware catalog (View > Catalog). In TIA Portal, open the Devices & Networks editor. Both views use the same Ethernet subnet object as the anchor for downstream PROFINET devices.
Step 2 — Place the SCALANCE X208 (Topology Only)
Drag the SCALANCE X-200 / X-300 / XC-200 entry from the catalog to the Ethernet subnet of the CPU 410. Even though the SCALANCE is not a PROFINET IO device, PCS 7 accepts it on the subnet so the topology editor can resolve the cable path between the CPU 410 PN port and the downstream IE/PB LINK PN IO and SIMOCODE PRO VPN. This is the only "configuration" the switch requires inside HW Config.
Step 3 — Add the IE/PB LINK PN IO
- In the catalog, navigate to PROFINET IO > Gateway > IE/PB LINK PN IO.
- Drag the device onto the same Ethernet subnet as the CPU 410 and the SCALANCE X208.
- Double-click the device to open its properties.
- Assign the PROFINET device name (e.g.,
iepblink-pnio-01). The name must be unique and DNS-compliant. - Assign an IP address in the same subnet as the CPU 410 PN interface (e.g., CPU:
192.168.0.1/24, Link:192.168.0.2/24). - On the PROFIBUS side of the link, set the master/slave role as required and configure the connected PROFIBUS slaves.
- On the PROFINET side, connect the link's port to one of the X208's physical ports in the topology editor.
Step 4 — Add the SIMOCODE PRO VPN
- Install the SIMOCODE PRO VPN GSDML if not already present: Options > Manage GSD files.
- In the catalog, locate PROFINET IO > Switching Devices > SIMOCODE PRO VPN (or use the GSDML path if listed under Other field devices).
- Drag the SIMOCODE device onto the same Ethernet subnet.
- Open the properties and configure:
- PROFINET device name (e.g.,
simocode-m1). - IP address (e.g.,
192.168.0.3/24). - Device replacement: enable "Device replacement without programming device" if supported by the topology.
- PROFINET device name (e.g.,
- Map the SIMOCODE slots to the PCS 7 driver blocks (e.g.,
MOT_SPEED,MOT_IASCfrom the PCS 7 APL library).
Step 5 — Wire the Topology Editor
Right-click the Ethernet subnet and select PROFINET Topology. Draw the cables as follows:
| Source port | Destination port |
|---|---|
| CPU 410 PN port 1 (X1 P1) | SCALANCE X208 port 1 |
| SCALANCE X208 port 2 | IE/PB LINK PN IO port 1 (X1 P1) |
| SCALANCE X208 port 3 | SIMOCODE PRO VPN port 1 (X1 P1) |
| SCALANCE X208 port 7 | Ring port 1 (see MRP section) |
| SCALANCE X208 port 8 | Ring port 2 (see MRP section) |
The topology editor validates port-to-port links. Mismatches are reported as "Port interconnection differs from the planned topology."
PROFINET Topology Editor: Inline SVG Diagram
MRP (Media Redundancy Protocol) Configuration
If the SCALANCE X208 is part of a redundant ring — typical in PCS 7 plant buses — exactly one device in the ring must be configured as the MRP manager, and all other switches in the ring must be MRP clients. The configuration in STEP 7 / TIA Portal is done in the PROFINET interface properties of each switch, under Media Redundancy:
| Device | Role | Ring port 1 | Ring port 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SCALANCE X208 (this station) | Manager | Port 7 | Port 8 |
| SCALANCE XC-200 (downstream) | Client | Port 1 | Port 2 |
| SCALANCE XR-300 (upstream) | Client | Port 1 | Port 2 |
For the exact step-by-step path, see the Siemens TIA Portal SCALANCE X MRP configuration guide and the SCALANCE X-200 operating instructions.
Device Name and IP Address Assignment
PROFINET devices must receive a unique device name before they can be reached by the IO controller. Use the PST (Primary Setup Tool) or the SIMATIC Manager PLC > Ethernet > Assign Device Name menu. The sequence is:
- Connect the engineering station directly to the X208 (any of ports 1-8).
- Run PLC > Ethernet > Browse. The IO controller (CPU 410) and any reachable IO devices appear with their MAC addresses and "no name" status.
- Select each device, type the configured name (
iepblink-pnio-01,simocode-m1), and click Assign Name. - The IP address is typically assigned from HW Config during download; verify with ping from the engineering station.
Reserved PROFINET device name rules per IEC 61784: names are case-insensitive, 1-240 chars, only a-z, 0-9, and -, must not start or end with -.
Diagnostics and Verification
After download and restart, verify the configuration with the following checks:
| Check | Tool / Path | Expected Result |
|---|---|---|
| CPU 410 sees IE/PB LINK PN IO | HW Config > Online > Accessible Nodes | Device reachable, no diagnostic interrupts |
| CPU 410 sees SIMOCODE PRO VPN | HW Config > Online > Accessible Nodes | Device reachable, status OK |
| SCALANCE X208 ring status | WBM Information > Redundancy | Manager = Active, clients = Passive |
| Port status | WBM Information > Port Statistics | Connected ports = 100 Mbit/s FD, no CRC errors |
| PROFINET diagnostics | CPU diagnostic buffer | No "Channel fault", no "Station failure" |
| PCS 7 OS channel | WinCC Explorer > Channel Diagnosis | All AS connections = OK |
Troubleshooting Matrix
| Symptom | Likely Root Cause | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| "Device cannot be operated as PROFINET IO device" error on SCALANCE | SCALANCE was added as IO Device and assigned an IO Controller | Remove IO Controller assignment; place as topology node only |
| IE/PB LINK PN IO shows red in HW Config online view | Device name not assigned / wrong subnet | Use PST to assign iepblink-pnio-01; verify IP is in same subnet as CPU 410 PN |
| SIMOCODE PRO VPN not visible | GSDML not installed | Options > Manage GSD files; restart HW Config |
| Ring does not close; permanent link up/down on P7/P8 | More than one MRP manager in ring | Check all switches; ensure only the X208 (or designated switch) is the manager |
| Latency on PCS 7 OS at 1-2 s | PROFINET update time set too low for ring recovery | Increase update time to 1 ms for IO, 2 ms for SIMOCODE; ring recovery max 200 ms |
| CPU 410 diagnostic: "Port interconnection differs" | Topology editor cable path does not match physical wiring | Re-run topology editor, accept suggested interconnections, recompile HW Config |
Special Notes for IE/PB LINK PN IO Behind a Switch
When the IE/PB LINK PN IO sits behind a SCALANCE X208 (i.e., not directly on the CPU 410 PN port), the link operates as a PROFINET IO Device with a PROFINET update time negotiated by the CPU 410 IO Controller. The PROFIBUS side retains its DP master function. Important: the link does not act as an IO Controller for downstream PROFIBUS slaves; it only passes cyclic data between the two network layers.
Update time tuning: for PCS 7, set the PROFINET update time of the IE/PB LINK PN IO to 1 ms when the PROFIBUS segment is short (< 10 slaves) and 2 ms otherwise. Do not exceed 4 ms — the SIMATIC PCS 7 V9/V10 process image and OS server archiver are tuned for ≤ 4 ms PROFINET cycles on the plant bus.
Special Notes for SIMOCODE PRO VPN
The SIMOCODE PRO VPN is a PROFINET IO Device for low-voltage motor management (≤ 250 A continuous). When placed behind an X208, two configuration details matter:
-
Slot mapping: the SIMOCODE GSDML exposes a fixed slot structure. Slot 0 = device, slot 1 = basic data, slots 2-3 = user data. PCS 7 APL blocks (
MOT_SPEED,MOT_IASC) bind to slots 2-3. Do not remap. - Device replacement: enable "Device replacement without programming device" in the SIMOCODE PRO properties; this uses the topology to auto-name the replacement device via the LLDP neighborhood.
Verification Procedure (End-to-End)
- Compile HW Config. Resolve all "differences from real plug" warnings.
- Download HW Config to the AS 410.
- In the PCS 7 plant view, right-click the AS 410 > Download to Target System > check "Include user program and configuration".
- Restart the AS 410 in STOP and then RUN. Watch the CPU diagnostic buffer for PROFINET station failures.
- Use Accessible Nodes to confirm all PROFINET devices respond.
- Open WinCC Explorer and check Tag Management > SIMATIC S7 PROTOCOL SUITE > Connection Status. All AS-OS connections should be "Connected".
- Force a motor start from the SIMOCODE test faceplate. Verify PCS 7 faceplate shows running state, current, and thermal model.
- Test MRP: unplug one ring cable. The ring should recover in < 200 ms. PCS 7 OS should not show a station failure; a brief yellow "maintenance" badge on the affected devices is acceptable.
FAQ
Why can I not add the SCALANCE X208 as a PROFINET IO device in PCS 7?
The SCALANCE X208 is a layer-2 managed switch and is not a PROFINET IO controller or IO device. In PCS 7 HW Config, place it on the Ethernet subnet of the CPU 410 for topology purposes only. Do not assign an IO controller; the IO controller role belongs to the CPU 410.
How do I configure MRP on the SCALANCE X208?
Open the PROFINET interface properties of the X208 in STEP 7 / TIA Portal, switch to Media Redundancy, and select the manager role. Assign the two ring ports (e.g., P7 and P8). All other switches in the ring must be configured as MRP clients, never as managers. See the Siemens MRP configuration guide.
What IP address should the SCALANCE X208 have?
For a transparent switch with no IO role, the X208 does not need a project IP address, but an IP is recommended for Web Based Management and SNMP. Assign an IP in the same subnet as the CPU 410 (e.g., 192.168.0.10/24). The IP is for management only and does not affect PROFINET IO traffic.
The IE/PB LINK PN IO does not appear in Accessible Nodes — what is wrong?
Three checks: (1) the device name must match HW Config exactly, including case; (2) the device must be in the same IP subnet as the CPU 410 PROFINET interface; (3) the topology editor cable must connect a real X208 port to the link's X1 P1 port. Re-assign the name with the Primary Setup Tool, then re-download HW Config.
Can I use PROFINET update times below 1 ms behind the X208?
Not for PCS 7 with SIMOCODE and IE/PB LINK PN IO on the same switch. 250 µs and 500 µs are technically supported on the wire but are not validated by Siemens for PCS 7 V9/V10 process automation. Stay at 1 ms for the IE/PB LINK PN IO and 2 ms for SIMOCODE to keep the OS server cycle stable.