SPONSORED BY: SOFTING
With the integration of OPC UA Reverse Connect into its dataFEED OPC Suite Extended V5.22, Softing enables secure communication between OPC UA components in OT and IT that are separated by firewalls or DMZs. In addition, the current version V5.25 offers the “File Read” function which allows access to process data available via XML files.
dataFEED OPC Suite Extended is an all-in-one solution for OPC communication and cloud connectivity, providing access to controllers and IoT devices of leading manufacturers. With the new OPC UA Reverse Connect functionality, the suite ensures secure communication between OPC UA components separated by firewalls or DMZs.
Secure Connection with “Reverse Connect”
OPC UA Reverse Connect avoids traditional client-server connections where the client establishes the connection to the server. Instead, the server actively connects to the client. This is important for networks where the server is in a protected environment, such as the production network of a factory. There is no need to open firewall ports from the IT network to the OT network. The risk of an attack on the production network is thus eliminated, as the firewall remains closed.
Fast and Easy Data Integration with “File Read”
File Read allows process values from XML files to be integrated quickly and securely into production control applications such as MES or OEE via the standard OPC Classic or OPC UA interfaces. The production data can also be integrated into IIoT cloud solutions via MQTT or REST. Furthermore, there is the option of data logging for documentation, analysis, or verification in a separate database.
An All-in-One Data Integration Solution
The dataFEED OPC Suite enables access to the controllers of leading manufacturers such as Siemens SIMATIC S7, Rockwell ControlLogix, B&R, Mitsubishi as well as Modbus controllers (e.g., from Wago). It acts as a gateway between the two OPC standards so that existing OPC Classic components and applications can also be integrated into modern OPC UA solutions for Industry 4.0 applications. Production data is transferred to IoT Cloud or Big Data applications via the MQTT and REST protocols. The suite also supports the storage of production data in a file, in an SQL database, or in MongoDB and CouchDB. Thanks to the extensive data pre-processing functionality, data can be easily and flexibly customized.