SIMATIC PCS 7 provides the option of integrating mobile or stationary remote clients into the terminal bus via an Industrial Wireless LAN (IWLAN) access point of the SCALANCE W‑760, W‑770 or W‑780 product lines.

The following applications, for example, can be implemented in this manner:

• Configuration of additional remote OS clients (up to 2 on IWLAN)
• Linking of Web clients to a SIMATIC PCS 7 Web server (up to 2 Web clients on IWLAN)
• Remote access to an engineering station using the "RealVNC" software (Enterprise Edition), e.g., during commissioning

Mobile remote clients (e.g. notebooks) equipped with a WLAN interface can use it to communicate with the IWLAN access point. Stationary remote clients in desktop/tower housing (SIMATIC PCS 7 Industrial Workstations) require an IWLAN client module of the SCALANCE W‑720, W‑730 or W‑740 product line for communication with the IWLAN access point.

The IWLAN client modules and the IWLAN access points of the SCALANCE W700 product family are very rugged, use state-of-the-art authentication and encryption procedures, and ensure high wireless channel reliability. By means of link aggregation and parallel use of several antennas (MIMO technology) in accordance with the international standard IEEE 802.11n you can achieve gross data transfer rates of up to 450 Mbit/s.

Various designs are offered for the following operational environments:

• IWLAN client modules and access points for control cabinets
• IWLAN client modules and access points for indoor use
• IWLAN access points for outdoor use

All IWLAN access points can also be configured as IWLAN client modules.

SCALANCE W access points and clients portfolio according to IEEE 802.11n

The C‑PLUG swap medium for saving configuring data supports rapid exchange of equipment without specially trained personnel.

In addition to this, the KEY‑PLUG swap medium can enable additional functions for products of the SCALANCE W700 family. A total of three KEY-PLUGs are available:

• KEY-PLUG W780 iFeatures
• KEY-PLUG W740 iFeatures
• KEY-PLUG W700 Security

Note:

Note that Industrial Wireless LAN is not approved as terminal bus or plant bus of SIMATIC PCS 7.