Prior State

Figure 6 shows hardware configuration (here in German) from previous versions in the Step 7 series. Modules are presented in floating rack lists that must each be manually created and positioned by the user before it can be filled. Descriptions of modules appear in a separate table below that is neither visually connected nor synchronized with the rack lists. Modules are obtained from a tree view to the right, which lists the name and part/order number of all Siemens PLC modules but reveals no details directly except for the selected module, which is described in a visually remote pane at the very bottom of the screen. Modules are parameterized through a separate tabbed dialog. The tabs and their contents are different for each kind of module. Note that the graphical form of the display simply follows Windows conventions with no connection to the real aspects of hardware configuration save for the tiny icons to the left of each list entry.

Figure 6 - STEP 7 Hardware configuration.
(Click here or on picture to see enlarged view.)