Configuring Siemens 6AV2124-0GC01-0AX0 for PROFINET Networks

The Siemens 6AV2124-0GC01-0AX0, better known as the SIMATIC HMI KTP700 Basic PN, is a powerful and versatile 7-inch Basic Panel. Its “PN” designation signifies integrated PROFINET connectivity, making it a perfect fit for modern industrial automation systems. Proper configuration is crucial for seamless communication between the HMI (Human-Machine Interface) and your PLCs (e.g., S7-1200, S7-1500) over the PROFINET network.

This guide will walk you through the essential steps to configure this HMI device for a PROFINET network using Siemens’ TIA Portal (Totally Integrated Automation Portal), the central engineering framework for all SIMATIC devices.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have the following:

Software: Siemens TIA Portal (V15 or newer is recommended). The required “SIMATIC WinCC Basic” or higher license must be installed.
Hardware:
- SIMATIC HMI KTP700 Basic PN (6AV2124-0GC01-0AX0)
- A PROFINET-capable PLC (e.g., SIMATIC S7-1200)
- A standard PROFINET cable (RJ45)
- A programming cable (e.g., USB-to-RJ45 adapter) for initial setup.
Knowledge: Basic familiarity with the TIA Portal interface.

Configuration of a TP700

Step 1: Create a New Project in TIA Portal

Launch the TIA Portal.
Click on “Create new project,” give it a descriptive name (e.g., “HMI_KTP700_Config”), and click “Create.”

Step 2: Add Your Devices to the Project

You need to add both the PLC and the HMI to the project to establish their communication relationship.

Add the PLC: In the Project tree, right-click on “Devices & networks” and select “Add new device.” Choose your PLC model (e.g., CPU 1214C) and its specific version. Confirm to add it to the device view.
Add the HMI: Again, right-click on “Devices & networks” and select “Add new device.” Navigate to HMI > SIMATIC Basic Panels > 7″ > KTP700 Basic PN. Select the exact version that matches your device (found on a label on the back of the HMI). Confirm to add it.

Your project tree should now show both devices.

Step 3: Configure the PROFINET Network

Go to the “Network view” by clicking on its tab in the device view.
You will see graphical representations of your PLC and HMI. To connect them, simply click and drag from the PROFINET port of the PLC to the PROFINET port of the HMI. A green line will appear, indicating a logical PROFINET connection has been established.
https://support.industry.siemens.com/cs/attachments/109480297/NetworkView_en.png
(Example image of a network connection in TIA Portal)

Step 4: Set the HMI’s PROFINET Properties (Crucial Step)

For the devices to find each other on the network, the HMI must have the correct network settings.

In the device view, select your KTP700 HMI device.
In the device configuration window, navigate to the “Properties” tab.
Under “Ethernet addresses,” you will see the PROFINET interface. Here, you have two main options:
- “Set IP address dynamically” (Use DHCP): Not recommended for industrial networks. It can lead to the device receiving a different IP address after a reboot, breaking communication with the PLC.
- “Use IP address manually”:This is the industrial standard.
  - Enter a unique, static IP Address (e.g., 192.168.0.2).
  - Enter the Subnet mask (typically 255.255.255.0).
  - Ensure the HMI and the PLC are on the same subnet. (e.g., if the PLC is 192.168.0.1, the HMI must be 192.168.0.x).

Step 5: Establish the HMI Connection to the PLC

This step tells the HMI which PLC to talk to.

In the project tree, under your HMI device, double-click on “Connections.”
Click on the green plus icon (“Add”) to create a new connection.
In the “Connection” column, a new line appears. In the “Partner” column, a dropdown will allow you to select the PLC you added earlier (e.g., PLC_1 [CPU 1214C]). TIA Portal will automatically fill in the IP address of the partner device.
The “Type” will automatically be set to “S7 connection.”
The “Accessible via partner” checkbox may be automatically selected, which is correct for an HMI-to-PLC connection.

Step 6: Create Screens and Tags

Now you can create screens under “Screens” in the project tree.
Drag and drop control elements (buttons, I/O fields, etc.) from the toolbox onto the screen.
When you configure a control (e.g., a button), you will link it to a tag. In the tag selection dialog, you can browse the PLC variables directly (thanks to the integrated connection) or create HMI tags that map to PLC addresses (e.g., PLC_1.DB1.MyButton).

Step 7: Download the Configuration to the HMI

Once your configuration and screens are ready, it’s time to transfer the project to the physical HMI panel.

Connect your PC to the HMI’s PROFINET port using a programming cable. For the first download, a direct connection is often easiest.
On the HMI device, go to Control Panel > Ethernet and ensure the IP address settings match what you configured in Step 4.
In TIA Portal, click the “Download” button in the toolbar.
TIA Portal will search for the compatible devices. Select your HMI from the list.
The download process will begin. Follow the on-screen prompts. The HMI will restart, and your project will be loaded.

Troubleshooting

Here are some common issues that people often run into while configuring the HMI to the PROFINET network.

“No compatible target device found” during download: Check the physical cable connection. Verify that the IP address of your PC’s network adapter is in the same subnet as the HMI.
“Connection failed” on the HMI runtime: Double-check the IP addresses of both the HMI and the PLC. Verify they are on the same subnet and that the subnet masks match. Confirm the PROFINET cable is securely connected to both devices.
HMI does not react to PLC inputs: Check the “Connections” settings in the HMI project. Ensure the correct partner PLC is selected. Verify that the tags in the HMI are pointing to the correct PLC addresses.

Conclusion

Configuring the Siemens KTP700 Basic PN (6AV2124-0GC01-0AX0) for PROFINET communication is a streamlined process within the TIA Portal environment. By carefully setting the IP addresses, defining the network connection, and establishing the communication partnership, you create a robust link for data exchange between the operator panel and the controller. Following this structured approach ensures a stable and reliable HMI interface, forming the critical bridge between your automated process and the human operator.

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Updated on September 25, 2025 by Ken Cheng