IT in Manufacturing


Key considerations when designing IIoT networks for smart businesses

October 2018 IT in Manufacturing

In the era of the IIoT, industries have opportunities to become more productive, more efficient and more dynamic. For example, the IIoT provides businesses with new capabilities such as dashboards that show device status and data in real-time, as well as the on-demand production of customised products. However, many applications still have to overcome several networking challenges before they can really reap the benefits. A successful IIoT strategy is driven by a number of key factors related to connectivity. This article takes an in-depth look at three of these key points.

In the era of the IIoT, industries have opportunities to become more productive, more efficient and more dynamic. For example, the IIoT provides businesses with new capabilities such as dashboards that show device status and data in real-time, as well as the on-demand production of customised products. However, many applications still have to overcome several networking challenges before they can really reap the benefits. A successful IIoT strategy is driven by a number of key factors related to connectivity. This article takes an in-depth look at three of these key points.

1. Interoperability with existing and new machines

Within the automation industry, companies typically purchase equipment that they will use for decades. When new trends evolve, such as the IIoT, business owners do not want to replace their existing equipment, but rather want solutions that allow them to incorporate their unconnected legacy devices into modern solutions. Broadly speaking, two options are available to them:

Protocol gateways for multi-language connectivity

Industrial protocol gateways convert and connect legacy equipment with one unified communication protocol before transporting data to IT systems, for example, converting different proprietary industrial protocols used by legacy devices into one more common protocol, such as Modbus/TCP, Ethernet/IP, or Profinet. This simplifies OT engineers’ efforts when they need to extract data from multiple sensors and machines that use different communication protocols.

OPC UA to future-proof a network design

When it comes to newly purchased devices, supporting OPC Unified Architecture (UA) protocols is essential. OPC UA is platform independent and ensures a seamless flow of information among devices from multiple vendors. Originally, OPC UA worked on a client-server model, but when dealing with hundreds or thousands of devices that all need to be interconnected across multiple sites, a more scalable solution was needed. This led to the adoption of the publisher-subscriber model (PubSub), which allows for more streamlined communication that offers improved scalability and resilience. Furthermore, PubSub also extends the OPC UA protocol to cloud-based communication in the automation industry.

2. Facilitating communication between the OT and IT with IIoT gateways

Close cooperation between IT and OT professionals is fundamental to leverage any smart application’s IIoT platform. To be successful, both domains need access to industrial data. IT departments, which oversee enterprise resource planning (ERP) and sometimes MES, need to review this data to form the bigger picture and then develop solutions for each of the issues that hamper an operation’s reliability. OT professionals are more closely involved with the physical operations on the factory floor and have to figure out how to make all the divergent systems, fitted mostly with proprietary technologies, work together. Business owners must find a suitable solution to allow these two groups of people and two different sets of protocols to work together.

IIoT gateways are frequently used to bring the OT and IT worlds together. They will continue to play an important role in IIoT networks in the foreseeable future because these networks do not currently use a set of universal protocols. Direct transmission of vast amounts of data across these networks can lead to network latency, and IT personnel have to put in a lot of extra effort to identify useful data, resulting in delayed data analytics. To deal with this, there are some features that gateways should support to make the process more effective.

Smart processing capabilities: as gateways are deployed across many different applications, each gateway should have specific rules so that only the information useful to that application is passed to the cloud where the data will be analysed. As the data is filtered before it is transmitted to IT applications, the transmission times are shortened and the operators only have the relevant data, which allows them to perform more accurate data analysis.

Secure remote communication: in order to prevent data stored on the gateway from being tampered with, it should be secured with a file protection system such as Trust Platform Modules (TPM). For remote connections, a VPN should be used to connect the control centre and the gateway.

3. Ensuring network security from LAN-centric to LAN/WAN convergence

With multiple devices connected on the same network, all entry points can be vulnerable to unauthorised access if proper security measures are not taken. This problem is exacerbated by the fact that many industrial protocols were not designed with cybersecurity in mind. As devices now frequently connect to the Internet, they can be open to remote access over that network because legacy protocols rarely support encryption or user authentication. The problem business owners need to overcome is how to ensure that their networks are protected now and into the future as networks continue to evolve.

Many system operators have stated that the best way to secure a network against cyberattacks is to use the defence-in-depth security architecture, which is designed to protect individual zones and cells. Any communication that needs to take place across these zones or cells must be done through a firewall or VPN. Deploying this type of architecture reduces the chance that the whole network will fail due to an attack, because each layer is able to address a different security threat. It also reduces the risk to the entire network. If a problem occurs in one part of the network, there is a higher chance that the problem can be contained within that layer and will not spread to the other layers.

After the network has been secured, the next step to consider is how to ensure that users cannot adversely change settings by accident, or on purpose. This problem can arise from users who operate and manage the network, third-party system integrators, and contractors that are required to perform maintenance on the network. The best way to secure against this threat is to enhance the network devices’ cybersecurity to ensure that they cannot have their settings altered in a way that puts the devices or the network at risk. Many cybersecurity experts view the IEC 62443 standard as the most relevant publication for how to secure devices on industrial networks. This standard includes a series of guidelines, reports, and other relevant documentation that define procedures for implementing electronically secure IACS (industrial automation & control systems) networks.



Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Schneider Electric’s Five-Pillar Strategy takes the guesswork out of equip
Schneider Electric South Africa IT in Manufacturing
Schneider Electric’s Field Service Cycle, otherwise known as the Five-Pillar Strategy, is a structured approach to managing the lifecycle of equipment to prolong asset lifespan while reducing the total cost of ownership for customers.

Read more...
Enhancing operational safety and efficiency through advanced risk-based modelling
IT in Manufacturing
Now, more than ever, capital and operational cost can be reduced while enhancing operational safety and increasing production uptime by applying transformative methods such as Computational Fluid Dynamics modelling.

Read more...
Laying the groundwork in IT/OT
IT in Manufacturing
In the realm of manufacturing, the core mandate is to deliver value to stakeholders. For many in the industry, this is best achieved through a risk-averse approach. Only upon establishing a robust foundation should a business consider venturing into advanced optimisation or cutting-edge technological innovations such as industrial AI.

Read more...
Looking into the future of machine vision
Omron Electronics IT in Manufacturing
Artificial intelligence (AI) is driving a significant transformation in all areas of industrial automation, and machine vision is no exception. Omron’s AI-powered machine vision systems seamlessly integrate state-of-the-art algorithms, enabling machines to analyse and interpret visual data meticulously.

Read more...
Driving digital transformation in the truck industry
Siemens South Africa IT in Manufacturing
Tatra Trucks, a leading truck manufacturer in Czechia, has adopted the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio of industry software including Teamcenter software for product lifecycle management and the Mendix low code platform to help increase production volume and strengthen its ability to manufacture vehicles that meet specific customer requirements.

Read more...
Opinion piece: Digital twins in manufacturing – design, optimise and expand
Schneider Electric South Africa IT in Manufacturing
Digital twin technology can help create better products, fast. It can also transform the work of product development. This strong statement from McKinsey reinforces how far digital twins have come in manufacturing.

Read more...
Asset tracking is key to driving operational excellence and sustainable growth
Schneider Electric South Africa IT in Manufacturing
Asset tracking plays a critical role in the success of industrial businesses. By effectively managing and monitoring assets, companies can optimise their operations, ensuring that resources are used efficiently. This leads to improved productivity and reduced costs.

Read more...
Siemens democratises AI-driven PCB design for small and medium electronics teams
Siemens South Africa IT in Manufacturing
Siemens Digital Industries Software is making its AI-enhanced electronic systems design technology more accessible to small and mid-sized businesses with PADS Pro Essentials software and Xpedition Standard software.

Read more...
Predicting and preventing cyber-attacks with AI and generative AI
IT in Manufacturing
The speed at which cyber threats are evolving is unprecedented. As a result, companies need to implement state-of-the-art technology to protect their data and systems.

Read more...
Real-world lessons in digital transformation
IT in Manufacturing
Synthesis has helped businesses across multiple industries with their digital transformation by solving their unique integration challenges.

Read more...









While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.




© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd | All Rights Reserved