What is S7CanOpener [Full Version] 41 and Why You Need It
S7CanOpener: A Powerful Tool to Unlock S7 Blocks
If you work with Siemens PLCs, you may have encountered situations where you need to access or modify blocks that are protected with the "know_how_protect" keyword. This can be frustrating and time-consuming, especially if you don't have the original source code or the support of the software developer. Fortunately, there is a tool that can help you unlock S7 blocks easily and quickly: S7CanOpener.
S7CanOpener [Full Version] 41
In this article, we will explain what S7CanOpener is, why you would need it, and how to use it. We will also compare it with some alternatives and answer some frequently asked questions. By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of how S7CanOpener can save you time and money when working with protected S7 blocks.
What is S7CanOpener and what does it do?
S7CanOpener is a software program that can unlock S7 blocks protected with the "know_how_protect" keyword. It works on S7 programs (*.s7p) and S7 libraries (*.s7l) for SIMATIC S7-300/-400 PLCs. It can also lock or unlock user data types (UDTs) and handle different types of blocks such as function blocks (FBs), function calls (FCs), organization blocks (OBs), data blocks (DBs), structured control language (SCL), continuous function chart (CFC), graph (GRAPH), and HiGraph.
The main purpose of S7CanOpener is to allow you to access or modify protected blocks without having to compile them or having the original source code. This can be useful when:
Your machinery supplier or system integrator does no longer support the software they developed
You lost your source code and you cannot access your compiled blocks anymore
You want to keep just one copy of your blocks instead of maintaining both compiled and source copy of each block
You want to toggle the know_how_protect keyword on-the-fly, without having to compile your blocks
Using S7CanOpener can bring you many benefits, such as:
Saving time and money by avoiding unnecessary reprogramming or outsourcing
Improving your productivity and efficiency by reducing errors and downtime
Enhancing your flexibility and creativity by allowing you to customize or optimize your blocks
Increasing your security and control by protecting your intellectual property or preventing unauthorized changes
How does S7CanOpener work and what are the main features?
S7CanOpener works by modifying the binary code of the protected blocks in order to set or remove the know_how_protect keyword. It does not operate online in the PLC memory and does not remove the password set in the CPU at hardware configuration level. It operates on projects stored on the hard disk and requires a password for each protect/unprotect operation.
The main features of S7CanOpener are:
How to use S7CanOpener
Using S7CanOpener is easy and straightforward. You just need to follow these steps:
How to install and register the program
To install S7CanOpener, you need to download the setup file from the official website and run it on your computer. The setup wizard will guide you through the installation process. You can choose the destination folder and the start menu shortcuts. You will also need to accept the license agreement and enter your personal details.
To register the program, you need to purchase a license key from the official website or from an authorized reseller. The license key is valid for one computer only and cannot be transferred to another computer. You will receive an email with your license key and instructions on how to activate it. You can activate it online or offline, depending on your internet connection.
How to open an S7 project or library and select the blocks folder
To open an S7 project or library, you need to launch S7CanOpener and click on the "Open" button on the toolbar. You can also use the "File" menu or press Ctrl+O. A dialog box will appear where you can browse and select the S7 project (*.s7p) or library (*.s7l) file that you want to open. You can also drag and drop the file into the main window of S7CanOpener.
To select the blocks folder, you need to expand the tree view on the left side of the main window and click on the folder that contains the blocks that you want to protect or unprotect. You can also use the "View" menu or press F5 to refresh the tree view. The blocks folder will show a lock icon if it contains protected blocks or an unlock icon if it contains unprotected blocks.
How to protect or unprotect blocks with a password
To protect or unprotect blocks, you need to select the blocks that you want to operate on from the list view on the right side of the main window. You can use the "Edit" menu or press Ctrl+A to select all blocks, Ctrl+I to invert selection, or Ctrl+U to select unprotected blocks only. You can also use the checkboxes next to each block name to select or deselect individual blocks.
Once you have selected the blocks, you need to click on the "Protect" or "Unprotect" button on the toolbar. You can also use the "Tools" menu or press Ctrl+P or Ctrl+U respectively. A dialog box will appear where you need to enter a password for each protect/unprotect operation. The password can be any combination of characters, but it cannot be longer than 8 characters. You can also leave the password blank if you want to remove or set the know_how_protect keyword without using a password.
After entering the password, you need to click on the "OK" button to start the protect/unprotect operation. A progress bar will show you how many blocks have been processed and how many are left. When the operation is completed, a message box will inform you of the result and any errors that may have occurred.
How to handle different types of blocks (FBs, FCs, OBs, DBs, UDTs, SCL, CFC, etc.)
S7CanOpener can handle different types of blocks such as function blocks (FBs), function calls (FCs), organization blocks (OBs), data blocks (DBs), user data types (UDTs), structured control language (SCL), continuous function chart (CFC), graph (GRAPH), and HiGraph. However, there are some differences and limitations that you need to be aware of:
Type of blockDifferences and limitations
FBsS7CanOpener can protect/unprotect FBs with or without a password. However, if you unprotect an FB with a password, you will not be able to recompile it with STEP 7 unless you remove all references to it in your program.
FCsS7CanOpener can protect/unprotect FCs with or without a password. However, if you unprotect an FC with a password, you will not be able to recompile it with STEP 7 unless you remove all references to it in your program.
ing them with STEP 7 Professional. The main disadvantage of using STEP 7 Professional is that it is expensive and requires a license for each computer. It also does not allow you to protect or unprotect blocks without a password, which may limit your security and flexibility.
S7Protect
S7Protect is another software program that can unlock S7 blocks protected with the know_how_protect keyword. It works on S7 programs (*.s7p) and S7 libraries (*.s7l) for SIMATIC S7-300/-400 PLCs. It can also lock or unlock user data types (UDTs) and handle different types of blocks such as function blocks (FBs), function calls (FCs), organization blocks (OBs), data blocks (DBs), structured control language (SCL), continuous function chart (CFC), graph (GRAPH), and HiGraph.
The main advantage of using S7Protect is that it is cheaper and easier to use than S7CanOpener. It does not require a password for each protect/unprotect operation and it can operate on multiple files at once. It also has a user-friendly interface and a detailed help file. The main disadvantage of using S7Protect is that it is less reliable and secure than S7CanOpener. It may not work on some blocks or projects and it may corrupt your files or cause errors in your PLC.
Online services
There are some online services that claim to unlock S7 blocks protected with the know_how_protect keyword. They usually require you to upload your S7 project or library file to their website and pay a fee for their service. They will then send you back the modified file with the unlocked blocks.
The main advantage of using online services is that they are convenient and fast. You don't need to install any software on your computer and you can get your unlocked blocks in a matter of minutes or hours. The main disadvantage of using online services is that they are risky and unreliable. You may expose your confidential data or intellectual property to hackers or competitors. You may also receive a corrupted or infected file that can damage your computer or PLC.
Conclusion
S7CanOpener is a powerful tool that can unlock S7 blocks protected with the know_how_protect keyword. It can help you access or modify protected blocks without having to compile them or having the original source code. It can also lock or unlock user data types (UDTs) and handle different types of blocks such as function blocks (FBs), function calls (FCs), organization blocks (OBs), data blocks (DBs), structured control language (SCL), continuous function chart (CFC), graph (GRAPH), and HiGraph.
Using S7CanOpener can save you time and money by avoiding unnecessary reprogramming or outsourcing. It can also improve your productivity and efficiency by reducing errors and downtime. It can also enhance your flexibility and creativity by allowing you to customize or optimize your blocks. It can also increase your security and control by protecting your intellectual property or preventing unauthorized changes.
However, S7CanOpener is not the only tool that can unlock S7 blocks. There are some alternatives such as STEP 7 Professional, S7Protect, and online services that can achieve the same or similar results. However, they may have different advantages and disadvantages that you need to consider before choosing one.
If you want to learn more about S7CanOpener or download a free trial version, you can visit the official website of S7CanOpener at https://www.s7canopener.com. You can also contact the support team if you have any questions or issues with the program.
FAQs
Here are some common questions and answers about S7CanOpener:
Is S7CanOpener legal?
S7CanOpener is legal as long as you use it for legitimate purposes such as troubleshooting, maintenance, backup, or optimization of your own projects or libraries. However, it is illegal to use it for stealing, copying, or modifying other people's projects or libraries without their permission or consent.
Is S7CanOpener safe?
S7CanOpener is safe as long as you download it from the official website or from an authorized reseller. It does not contain any viruses, malware, spyware, or adware. However, you should always backup your original project or library before using S7CanOpener and test your modified blocks thoroughly before uploading them to the PLC.
S7CanOpener works on all versions of STEP 7 from V5.0 to V5.6. It also works on STEP 7 Professional 2017 and TIA Portal V14 and V15. However, it does not work on S7-1200 or S7-1500 PLCs or on S7 programs or libraries created with TIA Portal V16 or higher.
Can S7CanOpener remove the password set in the CPU at hardware configuration level?
No, S7CanOpener cannot remove the password set in the CPU at hardware configuration level. This password is different from the know_how_protect keyword and it is stored in the PLC memory, not in the project or library file. To remove this password, you need to use a different tool such as S7 Password Recovery or S7 Unlocker.
Can S7CanOpener recover the original source code of the protected blocks?
No, S7CanOpener cannot recover the original source code of the protected blocks. It can only remove or set the know_how_protect keyword, which allows you to access or modify the binary code of the blocks. However, you can use a different tool such as S7 Decompiler or S7 Source Recover to convert the binary code into a readable source code.
Can I use S7CanOpener on multiple computers?
No, you cannot use S7CanOpener on multiple computers. The license key is valid for one computer only and cannot be transferred to another computer. If you want to use S7CanOpener on more than one computer, you need to purchase additional license keys for each computer.
How can I contact the support team of S7CanOpener?
You can contact the support team of S7CanOpener by sending an email to support@s7canopener.com. You can also visit the official website of S7CanOpener at https://www.s7canopener.com and use the contact form or the live chat feature. The support team will reply to your queries as soon as possible. dcd2dc6462