Installing General Station Description (GSD ) Files
A general station description (GSD) file for a field or I/O device encompasses all of the critical information needed to configure the device – associated modules, parameters, alarms, diagnostics, vendor information, etc. This file is normally provided by the manufacturer of the device itself, and can be quickly integrated into the hardware catalog of TIA Portal. This allows for third-party field or I/O devices to be networked and commissioned as part of a control system with Siemens PLCs.
- To install a GSD file in TIA Portal, navigate to the Options menu and select “Manage general station description files (GSD)”
- Update the source path to reflect the folder where the GSD file is located. The contents of that folder will appear in “Content of imported path” and any GSD files that are NOT already part of the TIA Portal hardware catalog will be labeled “Not yet installed”.
- Check the box to the left of the GSD file to be installed and click “Install”
- Once the installation process is complete, the new device will be added to the hardware catalog and a message will appear, indicating that the installation was completed successfully. At this point, install another GSD file or close out the window.
- The new device is now located in the TIA Portal hardware catalog under “Other field devices”. Depending on the device’s communication properties included in the GSD file, the device may be listed under “PROFINET IO” or “PROFIBUS DP”. The subsequent folder structure is organized by device type and manufacturer.
- Note that when the device is selected in the hardware catalog, the Information window (directly below) will contain additional information about that device.
- The device can now be dragged/dropped into the Network view of TIA Portal and networked to other automation devices.
Installing Hardware Support Packages (HSPs)
This video provides a step-by-step example of how to install hardware support packages (HSPs) files provided by Siemens into TIA Portal. HSPs provide the TIA Portal user with an expanded hardware catalog, including the most recent hardware and firmware releases to Siemens CPUs, modules, distributed I/O, etc.
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