A SNAP PAC controller communicates over Ethernet. Is it OK if two PCs are trying to communicate with the PAC at the same time, or will they interfere with each other? 

This was the question in a recent OptoForum post, and it got a quick answer: yes, it's OK.

Whether it's a standalone S-series or a rack-mounted R-series PAC, you can have many devices simultaneously requesting data from and sending data to a SNAP PAC.

Topics: Tips, optonews, PACs, Integrators, Networking, OptoNews 2015-10-07

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What time is it?

Do you know what time it is? Does your SNAP PAC controller know what time it is? Are they the same time? Who’s right?

In this week's blog we are going to talk about this big ball of wibbly wobbly timey wimey stuff.… No, not time travel, but actual time…. Specifically how to set your PAC Controller to the current time.

No reading ahead; remember, time flies like an arrow and fruit flies like a banana.

Topics: Internet of Things, PLCs, IoT, PACs, OEM, Networking, PAC Project

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Layers of security:

I wish there were, but there just isn’t.... There is no one device, hardware, or software that is the single defense for all known and future network attack vectors—including the one critical weakness: humans. You know, some thing or device that you could simply put at your network's front door and have it reject all the bad guys, but allow the friendlies in without question. Secure and easy is still a wish.

The solution then really comes down to layers. Adding layers that each will take a lot of time and a lot of effort to peel back, so much so that most attackers simply give up and move on.

The past few blog posts have talked about some of those layers, so let's now put it all together and see just how we might go about building a very robust mobile-accessible industrial automation network.

Topics: Process control, Discrete control, groov, Internet of Things, PLCs, Remote monitoring, Electronics, Tips, IoT, Machine builder, PACs, OEM, Integrators, Networking

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Tale of two LANs

Would you like to view critical plant status from anywhere on the Internet?

Are you worried that if you connect your automation network to your company’s IT network (which is likely connected to the Internet), the wrong people could access your control system? Or that traffic like YouTube might impact your automation network throughput?

Would you like to get an email or text message alerting you to an out-of-band condition, but since your automation network is not linked to the IT department email server, you can’t set anything like that up?

There are a lot of advantages and only a few disadvantages to segmenting your IT (Information Technology) network from your OT (Operational Technology, in other words your controls) networks. While there are a few different ways to segment networks, in this blog we are going to look at separating them using one of two Opto 22 products: SNAP PAC Controllers and groov.

Topics: Process control, groov, Internet of Things, Electronics, IoT, Machine builder, PACs, Networking

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Two keys for secure communications:

What are SSL/TLS and HTTPS? You may have heard them being used on the Internet, and you have more than likely used them when logging into your bank, but what are they?

Is there anything you need to do to use these secure protocols?

What goes on "behind the curtain" in your web browser when you use them?

In this week's blog we are going to continue the theme of network security by taking a close look at SSL/TLS and HTTPS.

Topics: Discrete control, groov, Internet of Things, Remote monitoring, Electronics, Tips, IoT, Machine builder, Integrators, Networking

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Mobile device use - Russian Roulette or the new normal?

Many of us have a either a smartphone or tablet, and some of us have both. We use them for all sorts of tasks every day. Are we simply pushing our luck? Are we rolling the dice every time we use them? Or can we use them in a secure manner that helps us be more productive and thus have a higher quality of life?

This week's blog is going to look at some pros and cons of the humble mobile device and what steps we can take to even out the odds.

Topics: groov, Internet of Things, Remote monitoring, Electronics, Tips, IoT, Networking

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Top 5 Myths for Securing a Wifi network

If you want to use a mobile device in your automation system, you are going to need to use Wifi for the simple fact that most mobile devices do not support a physical Ethernet connection to your network.

Adding Wifi is often seen as a security risk. Not done right, it can be; done right, it need not be.

Like many technolgies, Wifi has matured and become more robust. That said, poor advice still circles the web on how to secure your Wifi network that simply doesn't work anymore. Let's take a look at a few myths about securing Wifi that need busting, and what techniques we can use to bust them.

Topics: groov, Internet of Things, Remote monitoring, Electronics, Tips, IoT, Networking

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Security is a trade-off between easy to use and secure.

In this blog we are going to take a look at a method of security that is often overlooked and yet can make a system a lot more secure.

The humble password.

For years we have all been taught to use a password that is a mix of letters and symbols. But should we rather be using a passphrase?

Which is better to use and why?

Topics: groov, Internet of Things, Tips, IoT, Networking