OPC Foundation and PLCopen have combined their technologies to form one platform and manufacturer-independent information and communication architecture. The mix of OPC Unified Architecture (UA) and IEC 61131-3 is thus the future-safe basis for the realisation of automation tasks.

The objective is to increase the reusability of controller and visualisation modules and their communication and thus to considerably increase efficiency in the engineering process.

Please click to open the Technical Brochure by OPCFoundation.

The convergence of IT and industrial automation networks has created great opportunities, but with this comes increased security threats from hackers, worms, and viruses. Clearly, remote utility network administrators must rethink their approach to network security. Ethernet networks have proliferated across many of our workplaces today; that includes utilities such as pumping stations, electrical substations, and oil pumping wells. Initial implementation of Ethernet networks at pumping stations disregarded security measures since most of these networks did not have external network access (i.e. connection to the public internet). However, this safety is in fact illusory. However safe that it may seem, it turns out to be just the opposite. Studies have now shown that most attacks (83%*) occur from within the intranet, and not from external internet connections. Further, PLCs and RTUs distributed within the network are not designed to support traditional firewall and anti-virus software protection such as would be used in an IT network.

Please click White paper by Amplicon to read in detail.

This application note describes the recommended settings for integrating the Stahl IS1 Remote IO System with a Modbus TCP Virtual IO Module. Documentation is provided in the introduction for configuring the Stahl IS1 with a Modbus TCP interface in addition to the Modbus TCP Virtual IO Module manual.

please click Application Note by Mynah to read in detail.

Network security for switches and network infrastructure is gaining more attention than it once did as more people and businesses rely on their networks as a normal course of their daily lives and businesses. Most people who have direct oversight of their network security are concerned about the safety and security of their network, especially as it relates to data exchanges between offices, cites, states and countries. With the critical nature of networks to keep businesses moving forward and the amount of mission critical data that is pushed and pulled across these networks, the more vulnerable these systems appear to be. The looming doom of a security threat or infrastructure failure can have cascading affects on any business that relies heavily on their network to conduct their daily operations.

Please click 'Network Security' to download White Paper by Lantech communication to read in detail.