Central Installation

Introduction to the Central Installation

STEP 7 is installed with a setup program. Screen prompts will guide you step-bystep through the entire installation process.
As of STEP 7 V5.3 SP3, a Record function is provides support for the central
installation beyond the usual setup program. You can use this function if you need
to perform a single type of installation on several computers.

Record Function
The Record function is a recording function that enables you to perform multiple
installations of the system setup or selected installation components on different
computers with identical options.
Whereas you previously had to navigate through all setup dialogs and enter the
required information for each installation, you can now create a control file with the
name "Ra_Auto.ini" to simplify the installation procedure.

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Overview of the Procedure for the Central Installation

The following tasks must be performed for a central installation:

Save the folders with the names "CD_1" and "CD_2" from the product DVD on
a central server or PC.

Call up the Record function and create the "Ra_Auto.ini" control file.

Save the "Ra-Auto.ini" control file either in the directory where "Setup.exe" is
located or in any other directory.

Edit the file "Step7.ssf".

Edit the file "Setups.cfg" if it exists.

Start the central installation by double-clicking on the "Setup.exe" file if the

"Ra-Auto.ini" file is located in the same directory. If the "Ra_Auto.ini" file is
located in another directory, start the central installation with "<path>\setup.exe
/silent=<path>\Ra_Auto.ini". The installation is then run through without any
further input prompts.

The installation program must be called up for each computer.

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Calling up the Record Function for the Central Installation

Use the Record function to create the "Ra_Auto.ini" control file that is to
contain all the information required for the central installation.

You will need administrator rights for the Record function.

Calling up the Record Function

1. Insert the supplied DVD and copy the folders with the names "CD_1" and
"CD_2" to a central server or PC.
2. Select the menu command Start > Rung to open the "Run" dialog.
3. Enter the path to the installation data you have copied to a central server or PC
followed by the parameter setup.exe /record. Then click on "OK".
Result: The "Setup" dialog for the language selection is displayed.
4. Select the desired language and click on "OK".
Result: The "Setup" dialog with the Record function is displayed.

5. Select the directory where you wish to save the new control file named
"Ra_Auto.ini": the file must be saved either in the same directory as the
"Setup.exe" file or in any other location. Click "Next".

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6. In the subsequent dialog, select the desired components for the installation
and click on "Next".
Result: The "Ra_Auto.ini" control file is created and saved in the selected
directory.
7. Click "Exit".

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Editing the Step7.ssf file

The "Step7.ssf" file must be edited by adding the parameters listed below. This
parameters enable you to select options for the central installation. It can be
displayed and edited with any ASCII text editor.

Proceed as follows:
1. Open the "Step7.ssf" file in the "Step7" directory with Notepad or another
ASCII text editor.
2. Add the parameters at the end of the file beginning with the section
[OPFILEENTRIES_BEGIN] and ending with [OPFILEENTRIES_END].
3. Change the parameter values to suit your wishes and requirements. You will
find an explanation of the respective parameters in the table below.

Caution
If you are overinstalling, enter the same path ('DestinationDrive' and
'DestinationPath') as used in the existing installation.

4. Save the amended "Step7.ssf" file.

Parameters to add at the end of the "Step7.ssf" file:

.[...]
[OPFILEENTRIES_BEGIN]
SetupMode=Batch
LanguagesToInstall=A,B,C,D,E
StartLanguage=A
NameOfUser=John Doe
NameOfCompany=Doe Inc.
DestinationDrive=C
DestinationPath=\Program Files\Siemens\Step7
AuthorizationDrive=A
LicenseDestination=C
LicenseRequested=1
LicenseManagerHandling=0
[OPFILEENTRIES_END]

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Explanation of the Parameters

Parameters

Explanation

[OFILEENTRIES_BEGIN]
SetupMode=Batch

This specifies which setup mode to use. It should not

be changed.

LanguagesToInstall=A,B,C,D,E

You can enter the values A to E.

A=German
B=English
C=French
D=Spanish
E=Italian

StartLanguage=A

This is where you specify the language in which the

software should be started.

NameOfUser=John Doe

Enter your name here.

NameOfCompany=Doe Inc.

Enter the name of your company here.

DestinationDrive=C

Enter the destination drive here.

DestinationPath=\Program Files\Siemens\Step7

Enter the destination path here. All subdirectories

are created in this path.

AuthorizationDrive=A

This is where you specify the drive from where the

license should be loaded.

LicenseDestination=C

Enter the drive where the license should be saved.

LicenseRequested=1

You can enter 1 or 0. "1" means that a license

should be transferred, "0" means that no license
should be transferred.

[OPFIELEENTRIES_END]

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Editing the Setups.cfg File

Check if the "Setups.cfg" file is included in the "CD1" folder on your product DVD.

If this file is not included, nothing needs to be done.

If the file is included, you need to add an entry to the file.

Proceed as follows:
1. Copy the folders with the names "CD_1" and "CD_2" to a central server or PC
if you have not already done so.
2. Open the "Setups.cfg" file in the "CD_1" folder with Notepad or another ASCII
text editor.
3. At the end of the file in the [Files] section after the last FileName entry, enter
the following parameter: "FileNamexyz=Ra_Auto.ini". Replace the wild card
"xyz" by an incremented number.
4. Save the extended "Setups.cfg" file in the same directory as the installation file
"Setup.exe".

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Example Format for "Setups.cfg"

[General]
CopyToDisk=YES
DestDir=system setup
ExeName=setup.exe
[Files]
FileName1=setup.exe
FileName2=setup.ex_
FileName3=VB6STKIT.DLL
FileName4=setups.ini
FileName5=msvbvm60.dll
FileName6=Welcome.bmp
FileName7=Splash.bmp
FileName8=Top.bmp
FileName9=Ra_Auto.ini
[IniFile]
FileName1=setups.ini
Section1=SETTINGS
Entry1=DRIVE
NewValue1=%CD%
FileName2=setups.ini
Section2=SETTINGS
Entry2=PATH
NewValue2=%CD%

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Starting the Central Installation

Requirement
The following requirements must be met in order to start a central installation:

You have copied the product DVD with the installation data to a central server
or PC.

You have created the "Ra_Auto.ini" file with the record function.

You have amended the "Step7.ssf" file with the parameters described above
and adapted it to your needs.

You have checked if the "Setups.cfg" file is included with your installation data
and, if so, amended and saved it as described above.

Proceed as follows to start the central installation:

1. Check if the requirements described above have been met.
2. Start the central installation by double-clicking on the "Setup.exe" file if the file
"Ra_Auto.ini" is located in the same directory. If this is located in a different
directory, start the central installation with "<path>\setup.exe
/silent=<path>\Ra_Auto.ini". A message is displayed when the central
installation is completed.
3. Repeat this procedure for each computer planned.

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