Software distribution models have historically been on premises, however, as industry has become more digital, cloud-based solutions have become increasingly popular, including SaaS and its variants, IaaS and PaaS. See our previous article covering cloud computing and the IIoT: Cloud Computing and the Industrial Internet of Things Our previous article covered basic concepts about cloud … Read more
Over the last decade, cloud service providers have improved technology, particularly data security and integrity. These remain the top concern of many manufacturing businesses, but as improvements are rolled out, more and more companies are adopting cloud solutions. What is Cloud Computing? The cloud is a collection of servers that enable access to software and … Read more
Industrial network switches connect automation equipment, controllers, and other such devices. Learn about unmanaged, managed, and PoE enabled switches, as well as the differences between switches, routers, and hubs. Take a look at our previous articles to learn what control engineers need to know about networking gear: Introduction to Servers for Industrial Applications Introduction to … Read more
Network routers are designed to route and pass information between a system of connected computers and devices. Learn about the role of routers in industrial applications and how to properly maintain them. Take a look at our previous article on servers: Introduction to Servers for Industrial Applications Network routers are in charge of the flow of … Read more
Servers are vital to the flow of information in and around organizations, acting as a hub for information transfer and storage. Learn about the role of servers in industry and the potential challenges that come with maintaining them. If you are the consumer of information, you may not pay much attention to servers, networks, and … Read more
An overview of the requirements, standards, applications, and main differences between Profinet and Profibus communication protocol, connectors, and evolution from its original technology. Profibus and Profinet are two of the most popular communication protocols used in industrial automation. Both protocols share a similar origin story, as they were conceived out of the need for standardizing … Read more
Every method of connecting to an industrial device—USB, serial, or Ethernet—poses challenges. For Ethernet, we often must adjust the IP address of our PC, not only the device itself. The story is familiar. You find yourself configuring a new networked device to find that it only contains a single or double Ethernet port. No familiar … Read more
Industrial communication channels often contain terms such as ‘Modbus over RS485’ or ‘CIP Safety over Ethernet’. What does it mean to send one network over another, and how does it work to your advantage? Industrial networking relies on the knowledge of professionals who are becoming more widely recognized with the term ‘OT’, meaning operational technology. … Read more
Learn about Modbus security in industrial automation, including vulnerabilities, fixes, and alternative solutions. There are many pros and cons associated with the integration of security on existing Modbus systems. The primary driver for security introduction is the addition of TCP/IP networking to utilize cloud networking, and this brings with it many potential vulnerabilities. Concern for … Read more
This article will introduce Modbus, an industrial protocol that laid the foundation for fieldbus communication in industrial systems. In 1979, Modicon introduced an application layer protocol (layer 7 of the OSI model) for use with its Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC). This protocol was called Modbus and became the first widely used fieldbus in the history … Read more