{"id":15721,"date":"2025-02-04T16:25:10","date_gmt":"2025-02-04T16:25:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dmcinfo.com\/blog\/15721\/wincc-unified-automatic-data-logging-to-a-network-drive\/"},"modified":"2025-12-23T09:45:42","modified_gmt":"2025-12-23T14:45:42","slug":"wincc-unified-automatic-data-logging-to-a-network-drive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dmcinfo.com\/blog\/15721\/wincc-unified-automatic-data-logging-to-a-network-drive\/","title":{"rendered":"WinCC Unified: Automatic Data Logging to a Network Drive"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Saving data logs locally to an HMI (Human Machine Interface) is a convenient way to store important run data. With WinCC Unified it is easy to take this one step further, and store data to a network drive. This means that your data can be automatically moved from the HMI to a more accessible and potentially safer location. It also adds a layer of redundancy, making data loss less likely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article will walk through all the basics you need to set up automatic data logging on your Unified panel and have the files copied to a network drive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 1: Configure the Local Media<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The first step is to ensure that you have local storage media configured and accessible for the HMI to use.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"WinCC
\nFigure 1: Runtime settings \/ Storage System <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you have added your Unified Panel to your TIA Portal project, navigate to the \u201cRuntime settings\u201d located within the project tree.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the window that appears, select \u201cStorage system\u201d. Here you can configure the physical media location where files will be saved. On this panel, there is one SD slot, and two USB slots to select from. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The logic in the demo will assume you are using SD-X51, although any will work. Once the SD card is physically installed to the HMI, navigate to \u201cmedia\/simatic\/X51\u201d within its file explorer to ensure the card is properly installed and detected. We are now ready to configure data logs for local storage on the HMI. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 2:  Create the Data Logs <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If your goal is to cyclically log a PLC tag, the easiest way will be to use the built-in logging capabilities of your Unified Panel.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you have linked the PLC Tag(s) that you would like to log to a corresponding HMI tag, navigate to \u201cLogs\u201d in your Unified panel\u2019s project tree. In the window that opens, select \u201c<Add new>,\u201d and create a name for your data log, and configure it as needed.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Data
\nFigure 2: Add Data Logging Area in TIA Portal<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 3: Configure the Network Drive <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Note: If you simply want to create data logs locally on the HMI, you can skip this step.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you have identified the network drive you would like to save your data logs to, you will need to configure the panel so you can access it.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On your Unified panel, navigate to the network icon, select \u201cNetwork Drive\u201d, and click \u201cAdd.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Configured
\nFigure 3: Configured Network Drive Displays \u201cConnected\u201d on the Unified Panel (not in runtime) <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You will need to enter in the Network Path, username, and password for your network drive here. The path should be something like \u201c\/\/192.168.XXX.XXX\/MyNetworkDrivePath.\u201d  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once the correct information is entered, the status should read \u201cConnected.” Now you are all set to create some logic that will automatically move your data to this drive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Step 4: Select Tags to Log <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Now we have to add the specific tag we would like to log, to our newly created log.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"dataFigure 4: Select tag to add to Data Log in TIA Portal<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Navigate to your HMI tags (or the specific tag table which your tag is within) and select the tag you want to log. In the bottom bar, select \u201cLogging tags.\u201d Within this menu, select \u201c<Add new>.” The name can be anything and the process tag will automatically populate with the tag name. In the data log column find the data log you created. The logging mode will be cyclic for this demonstration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, you must set the cycle time for the log.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Set
\nFigure 5: Set cycle time in TIA Portal<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From the same window, navigate to the properties of logging tag you just added. Select Cycle, and set the cycle time to your desired frequency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 5: Convert database file into .csv files (Optional)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At this point, you have set up everything you need to create a database with your tag logged cyclically locally on the HMI. If you would like to stop at this point you can, although you will need a DB browser for SQLite to open and review your files.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you would like to be able to open your files in excel, follow this step. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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