Connected Industry

Control network architecture based on industrial ethernet

The design of the network architecture is based on 5 levels, where level 0 contains all the devices in the field such as sensors, robots or instrumentation equipment. In level 1 we will locate the control devices and in level 2 the equipment necessary to supervise or visualize the lower levels.

The third level refers to all the activities that focus on the main control room, here we can find the operation stations (HMI) and the industrial data center (IDC).

Levels 4 and 5 are part of the business network (IT). An advantage of this type of tiered architecture is that we can achieve a secure convergence with the business network, thanks to an independent network that is not shown but is known as a demilitarized zone (Industrial DMZ - Level 3.5).

Levels

Industrial Data Centers (IDC)/Virtualization

The data center of your organization will be the central point of your infrastructure where all your equipment, systems and applications will converge. For this reason, it is of great importance to have the equipment that guarantees the complete and correct operation of your plant systems.

Either in a traditional way or using server virtualization, ECN Automation provides you with the experience gained over the years executing different projects allowing us to offer you security in the operation of your workplace.

Virtualized systems

Take a big step on the road toward the cloud with the virtualization of your systems.

We define virtualization as the process of creating a virtual or software-based representation rather than a physical one. Virtualization allows you to run different virtual machines simultaneously on the same server, each one working in isolation from the others. Achieve hardware independence, reduce infrastructure costs and electricity consumption.

Benefits

• Centralized administration of all your virtual infrastructure
• Increase the availability of your systems
• Achieve hardware independence
• Reduce shutdown times
• Reduce cost in infrastructure and electricity consumption

Hyperconvergent

Hyperconverged Infrastructure (HCI) is a unified, software-defined system that brings together all the elements of a traditional data center such as storage, computing resources, network, and administration.

This integrated solution uses x86 servers and software to replace purpose-built hardware. With HCI, it is possible to reduce data center complexity and increase scalability.

How does hyperconverged infrastructure work?

A hyperconverged platform consists of four tightly integrated software components:

• Storage virtualization
• Virtualization of computing resources
• Network virtualization
• Advanced management features, including automation

The virtualization software unbinds and clusters the underlying resources, then dynamically allocates them to applications running in virtual machines or containers. Policy-based configuration tailored to applications eliminates the need for complex structures such as LUNs and storage volumes.

Mobility

The current dynamics of operations require immediate access to information anywhere. The capacity of communication networks and cybersecurity gives us the reliable platform to achieve it.
Applying mobility we can access information from data servers, connected devices, CCTV and other sources of information on the plant from anywhere outside the control room, this allows us to view the operation, access reports, process alarms or indicators, through mobile devices.

For this, it is necessary to have a well-managed wireless network that allows mobile devices to be connected to the control / information system. We are talking about devices such as wireless access points that will be responsible for giving that access to the network to mobile devices such as cell phones or electronic tablets that interact with the system.

To achieve this interaction in ECN Automation together with Rockwell Automation we make use of the ThinManager solution with which we offer software solutions for automation networks that allow the secure and centralized configuration and implementation of applications and content to any PC, thin client, mobile device or user. Increase security and protection through advanced authentication and viewing capabilities that reduce maintenance and downtime by simplifying management of all devices and users.

Reliable management of thin clients and mobile devices

• Password at user, user group or role level
• By geolocation
• By QR or RFID scanner

ThinManager architecture