# Configuring the PLC Hardware

Configure the PLC A Programmable Logic Controller is a ruggedized computer that you can use for automating processes or even an entire production line. hardware with SIMATIC Manager by following the below steps:

1. Launch SIMATIC Manager and create a new job A job is a user-configured program in Spreadsheet consisting of functions and designed for specific applications. You can create and edit jobs using the Spreadsheet interface, and load them on a vision system for deployment in a live environment..

2. Add a new SIMATIC 300 Station to the job. To do so, right-click on the job list on the left pane of the user interface, then select the Insert New Object => SIMATIC 300 Station option.

3. Open the hardware configuration (HW Config) menu by clicking on the newly-added SIMATIC 300 station, and then double-clicking on Hardware in the right pane of the user interface.

4. Drag and drop a Rail to the HW Config from the Catalog on the right side of the user interface. The Rail is in the SIMATIC 300 => RACK 300 => Rail menu.

5. Drag and drop the correct CPU type from the Catalog to the Rail. In this example, the following CPU is used:

   SIMATIC 300 => CPU-300 => CPU 315-2 PN/DP => 6ES7 315-2EH13-0AB0 => V2.6

6. Set the IP address, subnet mask and gateway for the CPU, then add a subnet to the network by clicking on the New button of the dialog.

   Note: Make sure that the PLC boots first and is on the network before powering up the vision system. If the vision system boots before the PLC is up, any static IP address setting on the vision system is changed to DHCP. This behavior is defined by the PROFINET specification.

Note:

These settings can be accessed and modified later by right-clicking on PN-IO, selecting the Object Properties option, and then clicking on the Properties button.