6GK1161-6AA02 Siemens CP1616 - Product discontinuation announced with effect from 1 October 2027

Siemens has announced that the Siemens CP1616 is being phased out. Since 1 October 2025, the Siemens CP CP1616 6GK1161-6AA02 communication processor has been listed as PM400.

Which Siemens assembly is affected?

This product notice relates to the Siemens CP1616 with order number 6GK1161-6AA02. Siemens lists this item as a communication processor for PC-based systems. The Siemens CP1616 connects PCs to RPOFINET IO. It operates as an I/O controller or an I/O device. PI also describes the Siemens CP1616 as a PROFINET component for PC-based systems.

Der Siemens CP1616 nutzt eine PCI-Karte mit 32 Bit. Siemens setzte die Baugruppe für Industrial-Ethernet-Anbindungen ein. Die Siemens Baugruppe bietet vier RJ45-Ports über einen Real-Time-Switch. Damit eignet sich der Siemens CP1616 für industrielle PC-Anbindungen in PROFINET-Umgebungen. 

The Siemens CP1616 uses a 32-bit PCI card. Siemens employed this module for Industrial Ethernet connections. The Siemens module provides four RJ45 ports via a real-time switch. This makes industrial PC connections in PROFINET environments.

What changes did Siemens make on 1 October 2025?

On 1 October 2025, Siemens announced the end-of-life of the Siemens CP1616. The current product status is PM400. In the announcement, Siemens quotes the order number 6GK1161-6AA02. The Siemens support information states that the Siemens CP1616 communication processor is being phased out.

PM400 means: Siemens is no longer actively marketing the Siemens CP1616. However, Siemens continues to supply the Siemens CP1616 as a new part. The spare parts commitment begins with this milestone. For maintenance and procurement, this marks the start of the planning phase.

Siemens plans to discontinue the PM410 product on 1 October 2027. From that date onwards, Siemens will only supply the Siemens CP1616 as a spare part. This applies only whilst Siemens maintains stock.

What questions arise now?

PM400 marks the announcement of the product's end-of-life. Siemens will continue to supply the Siemens CP1616 as a new part. At the same time, active marketing will cease. This gives maintenance and procurement teams time to plan. This time should be put to good use. Siemens CP1616 assemblies critical to system operations now require a clear spare parts strategy. 1 October 2025 marks the start of this phase.

The next key date is 1 October 2027, when Siemens plans to discontinue the product under status PM410. This will mark the beginning of the spare parts phase, after which new untis will no longer be available through regular supply channels. Availability, delivery times and prices may change significantly. Unexpected breakdowns in operational systems are particularly critical. Relying on existing equipment without a repair strategy increases the risk of system shutdowns.

Siemens does not specify a compatible successor to the Siemens CP1616, meaning a straightforward like-for-like replacement is not possible. As a potential alternative, Siemens recommends the Siemens PD Driver 6ES7195-3AA00-0YA1, which uses a standard network interface card. However, its suitability depends heavily on the application, driver environment and system configuration. Any changeover therefore requires a thorough technical assessment.

EICHLER supports system operators is continuing to use discontinued automation technology. The focus is on repairs, maintenance and spare parts supply. This reduces the pressure to invest in new equipment and helps protect existing installations. Technical teams can maintain system availability until planned modernisation takes place, while procurement teams can avoid premature investments in new equipment. This allows the Siemens CP1616 to remain economically viable for longer.

PLM product status overview for CP1616 6GK1161-6AA02

Download the infographic on the end-of-life of the Siemens CP1616 6GK1161-6AA02

 

Affected Siemens productField of applicationPrevious statusCurrent statusUpcoming statusSuccessorEICHLER services
Siemens CP1616, 6GK1161-6AA02PC-connection to PROFINET IOPM300 until 30 September 2025PM400 since 1 October 2025PM410 planned from 1 October 2027No compatible replacement. Alternative: Siemens PN driver 6ES7195-3AA00-0YA1 with standard network cardRepair, testing, maintenance, spare parts supply, sale of discontinued automation technology

Legend:

  • PM300 indicates that the product is in active supply. Siemens supplies and markets the product as normal.
  • PM400 indicates an announcement that the product is being phased out. Siemens continues to supply the product but no longer actively markets it.
  • PM410 indicates product discontinuation. Siemens now only supplies the product as a spare part.
  • PM490 marks the end of Siemens' 10-year spare parts supply.
  • PM500 marks the end of the Siemens product life cycle.

Why does the discontinuation of the Siemens CP1616 affect maintenance?

The Siemens CP1616 is often located at critical communication points. A failure can disrupt PC-based PROFINET connections. This increases the risk of system breakdowns and loss of production.

Maintenance should involve recording all installed Siemens CP1616 assemblies. This should be followed by a risk assessment based on the criticality of the systems. Critical lines require tested spare parts or repairable asemblies. The driver and configuration environment also warrants attention.

Why does the discontinuation of the Siemens CP1616 affect procurement?

Purchasing must expect changes to the framework conditions from PM400 onwards. Siemens still lists the Siemens CP1616 as a new part. However, the product will be discontinued as of 1 October 2027.

This gives rise to new price and availability risks. Simply replacing items when they fail can prove costly. Planned stockpiling and repairs reduce these risks. EICHLER expands the scope for action through certified repairs.

Which strategy keeps industrial systems operational until decommissioning?

A cost-effective strategy combines an assessment of existing equipment, repairs and spare parts planning. The Siemens CP1616 should not be considered in isolation. Drivers, PC hardware and PROFINET configuration must also be taken into account.

EICHLER supports this strategy with practical services, including repairs, functional testing and spare parts supply. This extends the service life of existing equipment and reduces the pressure to modernise. Industrial systems can remain operational despite Siemens having changed the product status.

1 October 2025 marks the starting point for obsolescence planning, while 1 October 2027 represents the next critical milestone. Taking these dates into account provides freater technical and financial certainty.

Source

Original announcement from Siemens: https://support.industry.siemens.com/cs/document/109998929/ank%C3%BCndigung-des-produkt-auslaufs-des-cp1616?dti=0&lc=de-DE

Downloads

Repair accompanying note PDF

Important documents

Repair accompanying note

Download the repair accompanying note as a PDF, or use the digital repair registration and send your defective modules to the EICHLER Service Centre for repair.

Repair accompanying note Online repair registration
Laughing Eichler technician points to green PDF with special sale of automation technology

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