How use Kepware to communicate between Siemens PLC and Siemens Desigo CC via BACnet/IP protocol?

[Tony1026]

hi guys,

Could you know whether Kepware Server can support communication between Siemens PLC and Siemens Desigo CC via BACnet/IP?

Although Siemens provides a BACnet gateway for BACnet integration, its network configuration does not comply with IT security requirements. Therefore, I would like to know if Kepware can perform protocol translation. If so, could you provide a configuration manual?

Thank you very much.

[pshashipreetham · Accepted solution]

Hi,

Yes, Kepware (KEPServerEX) can be used to communicate between a Siemens PLC and a Siemens Desigo CC system using BACnet/IP by acting as a protocol gateway.

Here’s how it can be set up:

1. Use the Siemens Ethernet Driver in KEPServerEX to connect to the Siemens PLC (S7-1200, S7-1500, S7-300, etc.).

   • Configure the PLC connection using the proper rack/slot and IP address.

   • Verify data access by browsing the PLC Tags in the Kepware client (Quick Client).

2. Enable the BACnet/IP Driver in the same KEPServerEX instance.

   • Expose the PLC data points as BACnet objects (Analog Input, Binary Output, etc.).

   • KEPServerEX will then act as a BACnet/IP server, allowing Desigo CC to read and write these objects.

3. Desigo CC Configuration

   • In Desigo CC, add the KEPServerEX as a BACnet device using the same BACnet network settings (Device ID, Port 47808, etc.).

   • Discover or manually map BACnet objects from Kepware.

Keynote:

• Kepware handles protocol translation internally, so no external BACnet gateway is required.

• Ensure both systems (Kepware and Desigo CC) are on the same BACnet/IP network segment and that UDP-Port 47808 is open.

• If your IT policy restricts BACnet broadcast traffic, use a BACnet router or BBMD configuration within Kepware.

You can refer to the official Kepware BACnet/IP Driver Guide and Siemens Ethernet Driver Manual for step-by-step configuration examples. These are available on the PTC/Kepware documentation portal.

Thanks,

[Tony1026]

Hi Shashi,

Thank you for your reply.

Could you provide more details on how to expose PLC data points as BACnet objects?

Thank you very much.

Have a nice day.

[pshashipreetham]

Hi Tony,

Sure, here’s how you can expose PLC data points as BACnet objects in Kepware:

1. After you’ve created your Siemens PLC channel and device, verify that all the required PLC tags are being read correctly under that device in Kepware.

2. Create a BACnet/IP driver in the same Kepware project (it can be on the same server instance).

   • Add a new BACnet/IP Channel.

   • Then add a BACnet/IP Device under that channel (this will act as the BACnet server visible to Desigo CC).

3. Expose the PLC tags to BACnet:

   • Under the BACnet/IP Device, create new tags that reference the Siemens PLC tags.

   • In the Address field, use the full tag reference path from the Siemens device (for example: Channel1.Device1.TagName).

   • Choose the appropriate BACnet Object Type (e.g., Analog Input, Analog Output, Binary Input, Binary Output).

   • Assign Object Instance numbers and descriptive names for clarity in Desigo CC.

4. Apply and restart the project.

   • The BACnet driver will now publish those PLC tags as BACnet objects that Desigo CC can discover or import manually.

5. Optional:

   • You can group related tags (for example, temperature, valve states, alarms) by creating multiple BACnet devices for cleaner segmentation.

This approach lets Kepware handle the data translation internally — the PLC tags act as the data source, and BACnet objects are automatically updated and available for BACnet clients like Desigo CC.

Thanks,

[MRohilla]

Greetings,

You may visit the link for more info about the BACnet/IP Objects 

https://support.ptc.com/help/kepware/drivers/en/index.html#page/kepware/drivers/BACNET/BACnet_IP_Objects.html

Regards,

Mohit