STEP 7- Central Installation

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:

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Save the product CD 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 in the directory where "Setup.exe" is located.

•

Edit the file "Step7.ssf".

•

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

•

Start the central installation by double-clicking on "Setup.exe". The installation
program automatically detects the "Ra_Auto.ini" control file. If this file is found
and the "Step7.ssf" file and possibly the "Setups.cfg" have been edited, the
installation procedure begins without having to click on "Next".

•

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 CD-ROM and copy the contents 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 in the same directory as the "Setup.exe"
file. Click on "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 where "Setup.exe" is located.
7. Click on "Exit".

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.
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
AuthorizationDrive=A
LicenseDestination=C
LicenseRequested=1
[OPFILEENTRIES_END]

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Explanation of the Parameters
[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
Enter the destination path here.
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 your product CD package.
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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 product CD to a central server or PC if you have not already done so.
2. Open the "Setups.cfg" file 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 amended "Setups.cfg" file in the same directory where the installation
file "Setup.exe" and the control file "Ra_Auto.ini" are located.

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

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[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 CD with the installation data to a central server or
PC.

•

You have created the "Ra_Auto.ini" control file and saved in the directory
where the installation data is located.

•

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 "Setup.exe" in your
installation data directory. You will see a message indicating that the central
installation as been successfully completed.
3. Repeat this procedure for each computer planned.

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