Amplicon has announced the release of a new industrial grade router, the EDR-G902. This router is designed to establish a secure high-speed connection to remote systems with enhanced security functions, an easy configuration interface, with a rugged design.

The EDR-G902 can function as a LAN-to-LAN router/firewall, a LAN-to-LAN bridge firewall and a LAN-to-WAN router/firewall with NAT and VPN functionality. This flexibility means that the EDR-G902 can fortify specific areas of your automation network, such as WAN security to protect your network from external attacks, internal LAN protection by isolating and safeguarding your critical assets from internal network threats while also providing remote VPN secure access.

Amplicon Website

HMS Industrial Networks now releases a series of Anybus CompactCom modules equipped with M12 connectors. This enables network connectivity for machinery which operates in wet, dusty, or otherwise demanding industrial environments.  Networks are initially PROFIBUS, PROFINET, DeviceNet, EtherNet/IP, Modbus TCP and EtherCAT.

Enabling IP ratings up to IP67

Just as the standard CompactCom modules, the new M12 versions will be available with and without housing. The M12 version without housing makes it possible to achieve a protection rating of IP67 (IP = Ingress Protection). This means that the product is completely sealed from dust and can resist water.

The CompactCom M12 versions with housing are IP20 rated, just as the standard CompactCom modules with the default fieldbus connectors.

“We see companies standardizing on M12 connectors for various reasons,” says Stefan Källström, Product Manager, Embedded Solutions at HMS. “Some use it because they provide a sturdy and secured wire connection, while others need to reach higher IP rating since their machines operate in wet or in dusty environments. With the new M12 connectors, we enable device manufacturers and end users to get access to the most common fieldbus and industrial Ethernet networks and still maintain a high IP rating“.

The Anybus CompactCom modules with M12 connectors offer the same functionality as standard CompactCom modules, including complete interchangeability between modules. This means that once the Anybus CompactCom concept is implemented into a product, it is possible to just plug in any CompactCom module to get access to the targeted network.

Anybus CompactCom with M12 connectors for harsh environments network access

Built with the best of Rockwell Automation and Cisco technology, the highly scalable, compact-sized Allen-Bradley Stratix 5700 layer 2 managed industrial Ethernet switch meets a broad range of switching capabilities – from entry-level, machine-builder applications through converged or IT-ready integrated user solutions. Using the world's leading network infrastructure software – Cisco IOS – the Stratix 5700 switch delivers secure integration of business-critical services and support from the plant floor to the enterprise. The Stratix 5700 managed switch also simplifies the design and development of machine-level networks through configuration and monitoring tools. These tools help enable easy setup and diagnostics from within the Rockwell Automation Integrated Architecture system – bridging the gap between IT and the automation engineer.

“In the past, users and machine builders alike have been challenged getting information to the right person at the right time. But the advanced feature set of the Stratix 5700 switch, including simplified configuration and integration of the IT and manufacturing networks, helps ease these challenges so that our customers can make better, more informed business decisions,” said Mark Devonshire, product manager for Stratix switches, Rockwell Automation. “Through our relationship with Cisco, our goal is to develop tools and products that simplify network design and communications, to help increase productivity and profitability.”

The introduction of the Stratix 5700 switch adds to the broad family of Allen-Bradley switches, which includes the Stratix 2000 unmanaged switch, the Stratix 6000 fixed managed switch, the Stratix 8000 modular managed switch, and the Stratix 8300 layer 3 modular managed switch. Like the Stratix 8000 family of switches, the Stratix 5700 switch also utilizes Cisco IOS technology. The portfolio contains many popular features that are in use today by IT and controls organizations that deploy standard, unmodified Ethernet, with settings optimized for use in EtherNet/IP applications.

“The ‘Internet of Things’ is transforming the manufacturing industry, where the physical manufacturing line is accessed and monitored though an intelligent network to help manufacturers better manage production quality and costs. Using the latest industrial switching technology from Cisco, the Stratix 5700 switch from Rockwell Automation offers high availability, Quality of Service (QoS), remote-access security, and automated monitoring to provide the best factory network capability,” said Yuta Endo, product manager, Connected Industries business unit, Cisco. Rockwell Automation and Cisco are committed to being the most valuable resource in the industry for helping manufacturers improve business performance by bridging the technical and cultural gaps between the plant floor and higher-level information systems using EtherNet/IP – the world’s leading open industrial Ethernet network.

Ethernet ModbusTCP to Modbus RTU Master gateway.

The popular Modbus protocol is commonly used on serial devices. The Modbus protocol requires very exact timing and quick resposes, which make it difficult to use protocols such as Modbus on a normal Serial Server.

To be able to control Modbus devices over Ethernet, an Ethernet version of Modbus, Modbus/TCP has been devloped by the the Modbus organisation. Modbus/TCP encapsulates the Modbus protocol within an IP frame of TCP/IP. Basically the Anybus X-gateway TCP-RTU Gateway handles the encapsulation between Modbus/TCP and Modbus-RTU. The Anybus-X TCP-RTU Gateway supports RS-232 & RS485 through a 9-pole DSUB connector. It supports 10/100Mbps Ethernet through a standard Ethernet connector (RJ-45). For more information on this product by HMS click 'HMS Ethernet ModbusTCP Slave - Modbus RTU Master'

Company Website: HMS