Configuring Hardware and Communication Connections STEP 7.pdf

3.9 Working with *.GSD Files
Device Database (GSD) File for DP Slaves
Configuring the Distributed I/O (DP)
All the properties of a DP slave are saved in a device database (*.GSD) file.
STEP 7 requires a *.GSD file for every DP slave in order that the DP slave can be
selected in the module catalog. The manufacturer supplies a *.GSD file for non-
Siemens devices that are DP slaves.
Device Database (GSD) File for IO Devices
Similar to the case for DP slaves, there are GSD (Generic Station Description) files
for IO devices. The DSD file for an IO device contains all the properties of the
device. These files have the file extension "*.xml".
3.9.1 Installing a *.GSD File
Requirements
Procedure
If a DP slave or an IO device does not appear in the "Hardware Catalog" window,
you must install the corresponding *.GSD file supplied by the manufacturer. You
can also use GSD files that were used in another project.
The required GSD files must be in a folder on the hard disk or in an STEP 7 project
that you have access to. GSD files are always saved with the project. In other
words, all the information needed to display the device (including the symbols) are
available in the project.
1. Close all stations in HW Config.
2. Select the menu command Options > Install GSD File.
3. In the "Install *.GSD Files" dialog box that appears, select the source:
The folder containing the *.GSD files, or
The STEP 7 project containing the *.GSD files
4. Select one or more files from the list of *.GSD files, and then click the "Install"
button.
If some of the files could not be installed or if errors occurred during the installation,
STEP will log these events. To open this log file, click the "View Log" button.
Configuring Hardware and Communication Connections with STEP 7
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