3.1. Setup for VMware Workstation Pro

We recommend using the official website for your specific use. If you are only planning to use this for a personal project we have found this download link to be quite helpful (you will have to make a Broadcom account, but this is the official, licensed software): https://support.broadcom.com/group/ecx/productfiles?subFamily=VMware%20Workstation%20Pro&displayGroup=VMware%20Workstation%20Pro%2017.0%20for%20Windows&release=17.6.3&os=&servicePk=&language=EN&freeDownloads=true Now just hit download and follow the installation wizard for a typical download.

3.2. Choosing an operating system for the project

We used Windows 11 Pro since Windows 10 is soon going to stop receiving support from Microsoft and we want to make this as reliable and future proof as possible. This is where you can download the iso file needed: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows11

Go to this part of the webpage, select the version above and hit “Download Now”, you might have to select a language, we used English but you can use whatever you are most comfortable with. Now open VMware and click on “Create a New Virtual Machine” inside of the home Tab.

Make it a typical installation and hit Next

Select your iso file inside of the “Installer disc image file (iso):” and hit Next

Now give your VM a name and choose a location for its install

Windows 11 needs TPM encryption to work, so you must select an Encryption Type, we chose the second option, and give them a password.

For file size and storing type we recommend going with these settings:

After this you should hit Customize Hardware:

For Memory you have to choose at least 8GB of RAM for TIA, we went for 12 For Processors you should choose the number of processors: 1 and number of cores we recommend to use around half of your cores on the CPU (we went for 4) and for better performance you should also select the Virtualize Intel VT-x/EPT or AMD-V/RVI (The CPU we are using is a laptop octa core AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX, from our testing standard computer CPUs work better for TIA no matter the performance metrics, but we chose the laptop for better mobility)

Now move on to the Network adapter Network connection > Bridged Also check “Replicate physical network connection state”

Now hit OK and follow through with the standard windows installation. Here is a tutorial on how to do a proper Windows installation inside of VMware, but you must still follow our previous instructions (after doing them you can jump to: 2:47), if you have not done this before: https://youtu.be/UgHVWV-BuqU?t=167 After Windows is installed you should go inside of the VMware app and go to “VM> Install VMware Tools…” to install VMware drivers for better integration like drag and drop files and copy paste text between host and VM.

3.3. Setting up host and VM IPv4 settings

For the PLC to be able to connect to the ethernet port we advise using these settings: On the HOST PC: Go inside of the Settings application to: “Network & Internet > Ethernet” and next to IP assignment hit on Edit > Manual, turn on the IPv4 settings and these are the settings we used:

These are the only things you need to modify to establish a connection with the PLC on the Host computer inside of the OS settings. To use that ethernet port for normal internet use the only thing you have to do is instead of manual change it back to Automatic.

Now you must go inside of the VMware application, go to Edit > Virtual Network Editor…

Inside of here you should select the “Change Settings” button and now under Bridged to choose your preferred ethernet card, in our case it is the one already selected.

Now for the VM, turn it on and: (It is the same as the HOST, but for the IP address it ends with 1 instead of 0) Go inside of the Settings application to: “Network & Internet > Ethernet” and next to IP assignment hit on Edit > Manual, turn on the IPv4 settings and these are the settings we used: