SIEMENS 6ES7317-6FF04-0AB0

What is 6ES7317-6FF04-0AB0 and where is it used?

6ES7317-6FF04-0AB0 is a SIMATIC S7-300 CPU 317F-2 DP from Siemens, a fail-safe central processing assembly designed for automation applications with safety requirements. The CPU is typically used in legacy systems where traditional STEP 7/S7-300 architectures, PROFIBUS DP networks, and safety-related functions such as emergency stop circuits, safety gate monitoring, or safe shutdown functions are implemented. For maintenance personnel, the assembly is particularly relevant when an existing S7-300F system must continue operating reliably, a failed CPU has to be replaced quickly, or a safe restart after downtime needs to be organised. For purchasing and production departments, it is especially important because it remains the central control element in many older yet still production-critical machines.

Overview of the key technical data and what they mean

The CPU operates on 24 V DC within a permissible voltage range of 19.2 to 28.8 V DC and requires a SIMATIC Micro Memory Card (MMC) for program and load memory storage. The 1.5 MB work memory is designed for more complex standard and safety applications within existing S7-300 environments. In terms of communication, the CPU provides two integrated RS-485 interfaces: one configured as MPI/DP and the other as a DP master/DP slave interface. PROFINET is not integrated in this model. The CPU supports PROFIBUS data rates up to 12 Mbit/s and up to 124 DP devices per DP master interface. Operation requires STEP 7 V5.5 + SP1 or STEP 7 V5.2 + SP1 with HSP 202, together with Distributed Safety. In practical terms, this means excellent integration into traditional PROFIBUS-based safety systems, but without the features of a modern PROFINET-enabled CPU.

Product status, life cycle status and obsolescence

Siemens currently lists the 6ES7317-6FF04-0AB0 as a spare part. At the same time, Siemens has already announced the product phase-out for the SIMATIC S7-300 / ET 200M product families: PM400 became effective on 01 October 2023, while PM410 is scheduled for 01 October 2025. After that date, according to Siemens, components will only remain available as spare parts, with spare parts support for the product family planned until approximately 01 October 2033. No direct plug-compatible successor still in active production has been identified in the Siemens sources reviewed. For migration projects, Siemens specifies the CPU 1516F-3 PN/DP in its S7-300 to S7-1500 migration guide. However, this represents a planned platform migration, not a simple hardware replacement.

Available EICHLER services and when they are relevant

For business customers, EICHLER offers several practical options for this CPU. Repair is particularly attractive when the existing assembly is intended to return to the installed safety and control environment, and a rapid, cost-effective return to service is the priority. According to the product page, the repair service includes technical cleaning, preventive maintenance, comprehensive functional testing, and a minimum 24-month warranty. Exchange is appropriate when downtime is critical and a fast replacement solution is required. Used units help reduce procurement risks in obsolete S7-300 environments, while new units are relevant when maximum availability and a clearly defined hardware condition are required. In addition, an optional F-CPU test report is available, which is particularly valuable for safety-related applications, supporting maintenance, quality assurance, and documentation requirements.

Does the 6ES7317-6FF04-0AB0 require a Micro Memory Card?

Yes. A SIMATIC Micro Memory Card (MMC) is mandatory for the operation of this CPU. Siemens explicitly specifies the MMC as a required component; in addition, the program and data are stored on the card, and the data retention concept is designed for long-term operation. For operators, this means that normal production operation is not possible without a suitable MMC. During procurement, repair, or replacement, it should therefore always be verified whether the existing card can still be used, whether it contains the correct project version, and whether a defined reset or a new program download is required after installation.

Which software is required for the CPU 317F-2 DP?

For engineering purposes, Siemens specifies STEP 7 V5.5 + SP1 or later, or STEP 7 V5.2 + SP1 with HSP 202. In addition, the S7 Distributed Safety package is required for the safety functionality. This is particularly important in legacy systems where, after a CPU replacement or a change of engineering laptop, online access and project configuration suddenly stop working correctly. In many cases, the issue is not the hardware itself but an incomplete engineering environment. Before commissioning or restarting the system, the STEP 7 version, including the required HSP and Safety option package, should therefore be checked against the installed CPU version.

Is the CPU still available as a new unit or only as a spare part?

Siemens lists the assembly as a spare part, and the S7-300 family is already in an advanced phase-out stage. At the same time, the EICHLER product page currently offers several procurement options, including New, Used, Exchange, and Repair. For purchasing and maintenance departments, this means that new units may still be available on the market, but they should be viewed differently from products that remain in active series production. Anyone needing to secure long-term availability should evaluate availability, stockholding strategy, repair options, and the migration path together.

Is the 6ES7317-6FF04-0AB0 a PROFINET CPU?

No. The CPU does not include an integrated PROFINET interface. Instead, it provides two RS-485 interfaces for MPI and PROFIBUS DP communication. One interface supports MPI/DP, while the second supports PROFIBUS DP master/slave functions. This is particularly important for retrofit and spare-parts decisions: the CPU integrates well into existing PROFIBUS-based systems, but it is not a direct solution for modernisation projects based on PROFINET architectures. Anyone planning a migration to PN-based networks must consider the communication architecture separately.

Which migration target does Siemens recommend for this CPU?

In the Siemens migration guide from S7-300/S7-400 to S7-1500, the 6ES7317-6FF04-0AB0 is mapped to the CPU 1516F-3 PN/DP. This is particularly relevant for decision-makers and technical project managers because it identifies an official Siemens migration path. However, it is important to understand the context: this is not a 1:1 hardware replacement, but a migration target requiring modifications to the hardware configuration, communication architecture, safety project, and documentation. For ongoing production systems, a two-stage strategy is often the most practical approach: securing short-term availability through repair or spare-parts procurement, followed by a planned migration project in the medium term.

When is repair more economical than exchange or purchasing a replacement unit?

Repair is particularly advantageous when the existing CPU configuration, safety approval, and machine logic should remain unchanged as far as possible. On the EICHLER website, repair is specified with a turnaround time of 2–5 days and includes technical cleaning, preventive maintenance, functional testing, and a minimum 24-month warranty. Exchange units or available used/new assemblies are more suitable when downtime is so critical that the fastest possible physical replacement takes priority. For purchasing and production managers, the decision is therefore influenced not only by cost, but also by how quickly the system can be returned to safe operation with the lowest possible revalidation effort.