Is twincat 2 version technical possible?

[Dunkelicht]

Thanks for this s7 protocol, I use PROFINET to exchange data between S7 and twincat2.
S7 is maybe a better choice for non-realtime variables, is there any possibility to implement this into twincat 2 ?

Many thanks and stay safe!

[fbarresi]

Hi!
I fear this request might have the same end like this other issue 😿 .

This software is a dotnet core 3.1 service. It just need the runtime installed in order to run.
The problem: twincat2 plcs are, as far as I know, windows ce based and microsoft don't support it any more. That means there is no way to compile this software in order to run within a twincat2 plc.

I really regret to tell you, I actually don't see any future work in this direction.

But, which alternative do you have?

• Upgrade you PLC? (Maybe is that not an option for you)
• Run the software remotely (from another computer in the same network): This service only need a connection to s7 and twincat. It doesn't need to run on the plc.

The newest twincat driver also works under linux: if you would give a try I would be happy to support you updating this software. It would work on every os and architecture, from Raspberry Pi to VM.

Best regards,
FB

[Dunkelicht]

Wow, thanks a lot for this detailed reply.

Microsoft has gave up WinCE and no support for dot net core, it is OK for me as I use twincat 2 in Win10 LTSC IoT 32 bit version.

TwinCAT 2 is reliable on Win10 LTSC IoT version like CX51xx and future AMD version IPC, Beckhoff has told us as least twincat 2 will be offered as least before year 2030.

I am now at site now and no time for checking details of code, I think it is TwinCAT 2 data exchange between TFU002 is Ads or memory swap, then TFU002 will do the communication with S7, like other Beckhoff supplement. If my statement is right, working with twincat 2 is technology possible.

Even with your sharp7/ snap7 server, you could do a s7 server, so the S7-1500 will do the s7 client, this will help as S7-1500 could use optimized DB.

Moreover I am also trying to use TS6310 to do so or to do some customized telegram to sync data, but they are too complicated.

Sorry I did not check old issues, next time I will do some research before, I just too excited about s7 support.

Thanks a lot! Stay safe!

[Dunkelicht]

http://snap7.sourceforge.net/snap7_server.html

This snap7 server, with this you could make a "fake" S7 315-2PN/DP and put variables into it. So

• WinCC could connect to it without OPC. Other SCADA could also connect to TwinCAT 2/3 via S7 protocol (s7-300 version).
• S7-1500 could exchange data all by S7-1500, no need to change optimized DBs settings in Siemens site, programing will be easier in Siemens part but harder in TwinCAT 2/3 part.

Of course this will make this into a S7 Server rather than S7 client. This will help someone who do not know much about ADS.

Just a thought, detailed work will be very difficult and this is information only and not a request for this moment.

[fbarresi]

Hi!
Ok, if your are running windows 10 (LTSC) there is surely no problem with dotnet core software! 👍
Twincat 2 fully supports variables attributes, so I think it will work.

You may want to give a try to my other project softplc. It is also based on sharp7/snap7 and let you start a virtual s7 as docker or just as a software with an API for manual create or set content dynamically.

[Dunkelicht]

Hi! Ok, if your are running windows 10 (LTSC) there is surely no problem with dotnet core software! +1 Twincat 2 fully supports variables attributes, so I think it will work.

You may want to give a try to my other project softplc. It is also based on sharp7/snap7 and let you start a virtual s7 as docker or just as a software with an API for manual create or set content dynamically.

Thanks again, but I failed to build with x32 bit version, I will try it later, install VS2019 into IPC is too heavy.
I will try softplc later, I use vmware to simulate twincat 2 and winac, it works only in simulation.

[fbarresi]

Sorry, I don't understand what do you need to build. The software is compiled for any-CPU.

[Dunkelicht]

Sorry, I don't understand what do you need to build. The software is compiled for any-CPU.

It cannot run on x32 bit windows, I have tested it on x32 win7 and win10 iot x32. TFU002.Service is 64 bit exe. So I try to build a x32/86 version.

[Dunkelicht]

[fbarresi]

You normally just need to change the runtime identifier during the build.
Did you installed the runtime on the target system? Otherwise you can compile the software as a self contained application.

[Dunkelicht]

You normally just need to change the runtime identifier during the build. Did you installed the runtime on the target system? Otherwise you can compile the software as a self contained application.

Yes I installed both x32 and x64 sdk, I need find a way to build x32 bit.
Thanks for the info again.

[Dunkelicht]

Thanks again for update, it is now running at x32 bit windows.

But it is not able to connect to TwinCAT 2.11.2305,

" Twincat 2 fully supports variables attributes, so I think it will work." could you please give some info about this?

Error log is below, connecting to Siemens is OK.

https://github.com/fbarresi/BeckhoffS7Client/blob/5efb2962c14f653eff26df55a9bad08d67f9a1af/TFU002/TFU002.Interfaces/Models/BeckhoffSettings.cs

public int Port { get; set; } = 851;

I changed port from 851 to 801. Please do not blame me as I am a new C# learner.

Please stay safe!

2021-12-16 14:59:53.322 +08:00 [DBG] Hosting starting
2021-12-16 14:59:53.521 +08:00 [DBG] Actual path: C:\Users\TFUServiceUser\AppData\Local\Temp.net\TFU002.Service\unka2gfn.abt
2021-12-16 14:59:53.564 +08:00 [INF] Looking for application settings into C:\TwinCAT\Functions\Unofficial\BeckhoffS7Client\TFU002.settings.json
2021-12-16 14:59:54.159 +08:00 [INF] Application settings successfully loaded!
2021-12-16 14:59:55.539 +08:00 [INF] Staring initialization for IBeckhoffService...
2021-12-16 14:59:55.544 +08:00 [INF] Connecting with Beckhoff at '192.168.10.105.1.1:801'...
2021-12-16 14:59:55.857 +08:00 [ERR] Error while initializing beckhoff
TwinCAT.AdsException: Cannot register Port '0'
at TwinCAT.Ads.Server.AmsServerNet.AmsConnect(UInt16 port, String portName)
at TwinCAT.Ads.Server.AmsServer.ConnectServer()
at TwinCAT.Ads.Server.AdsServer.ConnectServer()
at TwinCAT.Ads.AdsClient.Connect(AmsAddress address)
at TwinCAT.Ads.AdsClient.Connect(AmsNetId netId, Int32 port)
at TwinCAT.Ads.AdsClient.Connect(String netId, Int32 port)
at TFU002.Logic.Services.BeckhoffService.InitializeBeckhoff(BeckhoffSettings setting)
at TFU002.Logic.Services.BeckhoffService.Initialize()
2021-12-16 14:59:55.952 +08:00 [DBG] Connection state changed to 'None'
2021-12-16 14:59:55.975 +08:00 [DBG] Ads state changed to 'Init'
2021-12-16 14:59:55.976 +08:00 [DBG] Deleting symbols on beckhoff state change to Init
2021-12-16 14:59:55.980 +08:00 [INF] Initialization of IBeckhoffService completed with result: True
2021-12-16 14:59:55.980 +08:00 [INF] Staring initialization for IPlcProvider...
2021-12-16 14:59:56.212 +08:00 [DBG] PLC 's7-1500' state changed to 'Initial'
2021-12-16 14:59:56.214 +08:00 [INF] Initialization of IPlcProvider completed with result: True
2021-12-16 14:59:56.218 +08:00 [DBG] PLC 's7-1500' state changed to 'Connected'
2021-12-16 14:59:56.294 +08:00 [INF] Application started. Hosting environment: Production; Content root path: C:\Users\TFUSER~1\AppData\Local\Temp.net\TFU002.Service\unka2gfn.abt
2021-12-16 14:59:56.297 +08:00 [DBG] Hosting started
2021-12-16 14:59:56.964 +08:00 [DBG] Connection state changed to 'Lost'
2021-12-16 14:59:56.967 +08:00 [DBG] Ads state changed to 'Invalid'
2021-12-16 14:59:56.967 +08:00 [DBG] Deleting symbols on beckhoff state change to Invalid

[fbarresi]

Hi!
The log file is trying to tell you that your connection parameters are wrong.
You don't need to change anything in code, but in your local settings. Did you setup a route for getting connected with your plc?
I'm not confident with twincat 2, but I guess ads works in the same way.
Wich version of ads do you use?
Best regards,
FB

[Dunkelicht]

I am using 2.11.2305, I am now at site, I need back to office to test TC2.
Thanks!