Siemens SIMATIC ET 200SP Full Series Update — IM 155-6 PN ST Replacement, Firmware V6.3/V6.4 and PROFINET Security Upgrades

Published: 2026-09-17 | Category: Product & Technology | Keywords: ET 200SP Full Series · Industry News · IM 155-6 Replacement

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Lead: Siemens has released a new round of product and firmware updates across the entire SIMATIC ET 200SP series: the most widely deployed distributed I/O interface module, IM 155-6 PN ST, officially enters its replacement process, firmware V6.3/V6.4 are being rolled out in succession, and PROFINET communication performance and industrial cybersecurity capabilities are strengthened in parallel — opening a new upgrade window for distributed control and device data integration on the plant floor.

01 Key Announcement: IM 155-6 PN ST Enters the Replacement Process

Siemens has issued a product phase-out announcement: the ET 200SP interface module IM 155-6 PN ST (order numbers 6ES7155-6AU02-0BN0, 6ES7155-6AA02-0BN0 and 6ES7155-6AW02-0BN0) will be revised and replaced by a functionally compatible successor.

• Order deadline: September 30, 2027
• Last delivery date: December 1, 2027
• From October 1, 2027: available only through the spare-parts process (in the EU only as a repair component)
• The successor is functionally compatible; configurations and programs can migrate smoothly

02 Consecutive Firmware Updates: V6.3.0 and V6.4.0

• V6.3.0: Released on June 30, 2025 (document 109972245), for IM 155-6 PN ST (-Ax02); optimizes PROFINET communication stability and resolves frequent connection interruptions with some controllers
• V6.4.0: New factory firmware (supplied from 2026 onward); full support requires TIA Portal V20 plus the corresponding hardware support package (HSP) — TIA Portal V19 and below do not list this version and will report downstream component errors
• IM 155-6MF HF (motor starter interface) received V6.4 in parallel (January 2026), expanding PROFINET-related functions

For users running ET 200SP on production lines, verify firmware-to-TIA Portal version compatibility against the official documentation before upgrading.

03 PROFINET Performance and Cybersecurity Upgrades

• Communication performance: New firmware adds enhanced PROFINET features — DFP (Dynamic Frame Packing), FFT (Fast Forwarding) and frame fragmentation — improving bandwidth utilization and response capability
• Cybersecurity: Interface modules such as IM 155-6 PN BA support PROFINET Security Class 1 with built-in security settings for communication, plus signed firmware updates to prevent tampering
• For IT/OT convergence and device-to-cloud scenarios, the protection level of ET 200SP is raised accordingly

04 Full Series Family Overview

ET 200SP covers distributed I/O applications from compact to high-availability:

• IM 155-6 PN ST: Standard type, most widely deployed, supports single-module hot swap
• IM 155-6 PN BA: Economy type, suited for basic distributed I/O
• IM 155-6 PN HF: High-performance type with dual ports and higher communication capability
• IM 155-6 PN HS: High-speed type, isochronous mode down to 0.125 ms, multi-hot swap, up to 30 I/O modules
• IM 155-6 MF: Motor starter interface for distributed motor control
• IM 155-6 PN HA: High-availability type for process control (PCS 7 / CPU 410) applications
• Backed by the BaseUnit family and the full range of digital, analog and technology I/O modules, covering all local control requirements

05 Engineering and Configuration Notes

• Full configuration of new firmware (V6.3/V6.4): TIA Portal V20 or higher plus the corresponding HSP hardware support package
• Third-party integration: PROFINET GSD files updated to GSDML V2.45 (June 2026 edition), supporting the full IM 155-6 PN / MF range
• If the configured version is lower than the actual device firmware, a downgraded configuration usually runs fine; if a “downstream component error” appears after replacing with a higher-version module, install the matching HSP or adjust the configuration

06 Timeline

• 2025-06-30: Firmware V6.3.0 released for IM 155-6 PN ST
• 2026-01-16: Firmware V6.4 released for IM 155-6MF HF
• From 2026: New factory firmware V6.4.0 supplied for IM 155-6 PN ST
• 2027-09-30: Order deadline for IM 155-6 PN ST
• 2027-12-01: Last delivery date for IM 155-6 PN ST, followed by the spare-parts process

07 Impact on Users

• Existing lines: IM 155-6 PN ST remains orderable and maintainable until 2027; plan follow-up projects and spare parts according to the transition schedule
• New machines: Continue with IM 155-6 PN ST or adopt the functionally compatible successor directly; configurations and programs transition smoothly
• Communication and security upgrades: For projects requiring higher PROFINET performance and cybersecurity levels, prioritize new firmware and modules supporting Security Class 1
• Software alignment: Upgrade the engineering environment to TIA Portal V20/V21 with the latest HSP installed to avoid firmware configuration mismatches

08 About the Company

Wuhan Hantuo Automation

Wuhan Hantuo Automation specializes in the supply of and services for industrial automation control products — genuine Siemens PLCs, drives, servo systems, HMIs and sensors — serving global OEMs, system integrators and end users. We provide fast quotation, global logistics and technically compatible support to help customers achieve plant upgrades, equipment maintenance and spare-part management at lower cost.

Contact: [email protected] | WhatsApp: +8615272221149