CP 443-1 (6GK7 443-1EX20-0XE0) GSD File and HSP Setup in STEP 7

Problem Overview

The SIMATIC CP 443-1 with order number 6GK7 443-1EX20-0XE0 is a communications processor that occupies an S7-400 slot and provides a PROFINET interface to the backplane. Engineers migrating older STEP 7 projects, or maintaining S7-400 stations that were upgraded with this CP, routinely report that the module does not appear in the HW Config catalog of SIMATIC Manager V5.4 SP1, SP3, or SP4. The natural assumption is that a PROFINET GSD file must be obtained and installed. That assumption is incorrect for this article number, and attempting to load a GSD will not resolve the catalog problem.

This reference clarifies the architectural reason no GSD file exists for the CP 443-1, identifies the exact Siemens deliverable that does add the module to the catalog (Hardware Support Package, HSP), and documents the STEP 7 service-pack matrix that determines whether the CP will appear natively without an HSP. It also covers firmware state, migration to the successor 6GK7 443-1EX30-0XE0, and edge cases such as SIMATIC H and PCS 7 environments.

Identifying the Module

The article number 6GK7 443-1EX20-0XE0 decodes as follows:

• 6GK7 – SIMATIC NET communications module family.
• 443 – Form factor for S7-400 (single-width slot module).
• 1EX20 – Function block: CP 443-1, PROFINET interface.
• 0XE0 – Conformal coating, no Ex, standard packaging.

Key technical characteristics of this CP revision:

Root Cause: Why No GSD File Exists

PROFINET distinguishes two roles at the device level:

• IO Controller – the master that runs the PROFINET AR (Application Relationship) and exchanges cyclic I/O data with Devices. Typical IO Controllers are PLC CPUs (CPU 1515-2 PN, CPU 1518-4 PN/DP) and dedicated communication modules such as the CP 443-1 and CP 343-1.
• IO Device – a field device (ET200, drive, third-party sensor, etc.) that is assigned to a Controller and supplies I/O data.

GSDML files are written only for IO Devices. They describe the slot structure, modules, diagnostic mapping, and parameter record layout of the Device so the engineering tool can assemble a slot-0 / slot-1 / module-slot configuration. Controllers have no distributed slot visible to other stations on the network; they are configuration subjects, not targets, of configuration. The CP 443-1 therefore has no GSD file. Searching Siemens Product Support (SIOS) or vendor GSD libraries will return no valid GSDML for this article number, and any third-party file labelled for this PN interface is not from Siemens.

Resolution Path Overview

The CP 443-1 must be added to HW Config through one of the following means:

1. Native catalog entry – present in SIMATIC Manager / STEP 7 starting with a specific service-pack level (V5.4 SP5+ for the CP 443-1 EX20 in slot-relevant form).
2. Hardware Support Package (HSP) – a Siemens-published add-on that injects newer module catalog objects and firmware revisions into HW Config without re-installing STEP 7.
3. Firmware file (.upd) – loaded into the module via Accessible Nodes or Web diagnostics; this does not add the module to the HW Config catalog, only updates an already-selected module's FW to the latest release.

HSPs and firmware files are independent deliverables; loading firmware into a physical CP without the corresponding HSP in HW Config will leave the project unable to re-compile hardware if any catalog properties changed.

Solution Step 1: Verify STEP 7 Service Pack Level

The CP 443-1 EX20 first appears in the STEP 7 V5.4 catalog with sufficient SP support to render the article number, properties, and slot-mapped IO data. The recognized baseline:

To check the installed SP level, open SIMATIC Manager > Help > About or read the value from HKLM\SOFTWARE\SIEMENS\AUTSW\STEP7\<version>\General\ServicePack on the engineering PC. If the revision is below SP5, upgrading is the cleanest fix.

Upgrade procedure (in-place)

1. Close SIMATIC Manager and all background applications including the Automation License Manager.
2. Insert the STEP 7 V5.4 SP5 (or higher) installation media or mount the downloaded image.
3. Run Setup.exe; accept the existing license key.
4. Reboot the engineering station. Verify SIMATIC Manager > Help > About reports the new SP number.
5. Open the project, double-click Hardware, and confirm the CP now appears in the catalog under SIMATIC 400 > CP-400 > PROFINET.

Solution Step 2: Install the Hardware Support Pack (HSP)

If a full STEP 7 upgrade is not possible (for example, the customer license is locked to V5.4 SP1 and a major upgrade would invalidate a separate PCS 7 environment), install only the HSP. The HSP brings the new module catalog into the existing STEP 7 installation.

HSP delivery

The Siemens entry point for the V5.4 hardware support package is the SIOS article ID 23183356 (HSP for SIMATIC S7-400 / CP 443-1 module releases). Navigate to that article on the Siemens Product Support portal to download the HSP executable appropriate to your STEP 7 revision.

Direct link: SIOS entry ID 23183356 – Hardware Support Package for SIMATIC S7-400.

Installation

1. Stop S7-PCT, SIMATIC Manager, Automation License Manager, and STEP 7 background services.
2. Run the HSP setup as administrator. The installer registers catalog objects at %ProgramFiles%\Siemens\Automation\S7\HSP (path varies by 32-/64-bit STEP 7).
3. Restart the engineering station.
4. Open SIMATIC Manager; HW Config should now enumerate the CP 443-1 EX20 under the PROFINET sub-tree.

Solution Step 3: Configure the CP in HW Config

1. Open the project, double-click the Hardware icon in the SIMATIC S7 program.
2. Drag the CP 443-1 EX20 from the catalog (right pane) onto an empty slot of the S7-400 rack. Slot 1 is reserved for the power supply, slot 2 typically for the CPU, slots 3–18 are free.
3. Double-click the module to open Properties – CP 443-1. Enter the IP address, subnet mask, and router address; click New to create a PROFINET subnet if one does not exist.
4. In the PROFINET IO tab, configure the IO Devices attached to this Controller. Assign device names individually via Assign PROFINET device name using topology discovery (Accessible Nodes), MAC address, or by service tool.
5. Compile and download the hardware configuration to the S7-400 station.

Solution Step 4: Firmware Update (Optional)

Firmware V2.1 addresses corrections to PROFINET AR handling and to the embedded web diagnostics. If the existing physical CP carries older firmware and your application requires V2.1 behavior:

1. Confirm that the FW V2.1 file is registered in HW Config (HSP from Step 2).
2. Open PLC > Accessible Nodes, log into the CP via its IP address.
3. Select the CP, then PLC > Operating Mode > Firmware Update; select the .upd file supplied by Siemens.
4. Allow the CP to reboot; the new firmware revision becomes effective after the restart.

Troubleshooting Matrix

Edge Case: SIMATIC H / PCS 7 Environments

The CP 443-1 EX20 is not released for SIMATIC H (fault-tolerant S7-400H) or for fail-safe PROFIsafe applications. The replacement module 6GK7 443-1EX30-0XE0 is the released successor for those topologies; see the Unrestricted Delivery Release entry on SIOS:

SIOS entry 60735787 – Unrestricted Delivery Release for CP 443-1 (6GK7 443-1EX30-0XE0).

In PCS 7 V6.x or V7.x projects the corresponding PCS 7 Service Pack must additionally be installed; the standalone STEP 7 HSP does not automatically extend the PCS 7 component list. Confirm with SIMATIC Manager > Options > PCS 7 Library after installing the HSP.

Edge Case: GSD Installation Concept (Reference Only)

Although the CP 443-1 itself does not use a GSD, you may still need to install GSDMLs for third-party PROFINET devices (drives, remote I/O from vendors other than Siemens) on the same engineering station. The general GSD installation flow in current TIA Portal environments is documented in the TIA Portal help portal:

TIA Portal: Installing the GSD file (v20 documentation portal).

The same menu path is available in STEP 7 V5.4: HW Config > Options > Install GSD File…. Use this path for third-party IO Devices, not for Siemens communications processors.

Verification Checklist

After applying the HSP or upgrading STEP 7, confirm the following before signing off commissioning:

1. CP 443-1 EX20 visible in HW Config catalog tree.
2. Module placeable in any free S7-400 slot; properties dialog opens without "unknown module" warnings.
3. PROFINET subnet can be created; IP address accepted.
4. Compile yields 0 errors and 0 warnings.
5. Download of hardware configuration to S7-400 completes; CP transitions to RUN.
6. Online diagnostics (Accessible Nodes) reports the CP's MAC, IP, firmware revision, and module status.
7. At least one IO Device cycles correctly (LED green, status word non-zero in the IO image).

Summary of Deliverables

• GSD file for CP 443-1 EX20: not required, not provided, not applicable – the module is a PROFINET IO Controller.
• Hardware Support Pack: SIOS 23183356.
• STEP 7 baseline for native support: V5.4 SP5 or higher.
• Replacement module for H/F environments: 6GK7 443-1EX30-0XE0.
• General GSD installation reference (TIA): TIA Portal GSD install.