The OPC (OLE for Process Control) standards have played a pivotal role in enabling seamless communication between various devices and systems. Over time, advancements have been made to bolster the security and functionality of OPC communication. One such significant step is Softing Industrial’s release of version 5.30 of the dataFEED OPC Suite, which introduces the OPC UA tunnel for heightened security in OPC Classic communication, along with support for InfluxDB databases. In this blog post, we delve into these new features and their implications for industrial operations.
Table of content:
- The Evolution of OPC Communication
- Security with OPC UA Tunnel
- Data Management with InfluxDB Integration
- Turn-key DataFEED OPC Suite Extended
- Conclusion
The Evolution of OPC Communication
As industries progress towards Industry 4.0 and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), the need for robust, secure, and interoperable communication becomes critical. The OPC standards have been the cornerstone of such communication for years. However, OPC Classic communication, though effective, posed security challenges, particularly when crossing network boundaries and firewalls. The reliance on DCOM configurations left room for vulnerabilities. Enter the OPC UA tunnel, a groundbreaking solution introduced in the dataFEED OPC Suite version 5.30 by Softing Industrial.
Security with OPC UA Tunnel
The OPC UA (Unified Architecture) standard has emerged as a formidable successor to OPC Classic. Its security mechanisms, including user authentication through certificates, data signing, and encryption, provide a robust framework for protecting data in transit. The dataFEED OPC UA Tunnel leverages these mechanisms to offer a secure and efficient way to access OPC Classic servers across networks and firewalls. With this tunnel, the intricate and sometimes complex DCOM configuration becomes obsolete, streamlining the process and reducing potential points of vulnerability. The tunnel configuration is further simplified by utilising the Export/Import feature, making setup a breeze. Furthermore, the OPC UA tunnel allows for up to 50 connections, ensuring scalability to meet various industrial demands.
Data Management with InfluxDB Integration
Version 5.30 of the dataFEED OPC Suite brings another noteworthy enhancement: the integration with InfluxDB databases. InfluxDB is a prominent NoSQL database known for its scalability, high availability, and rapid read and write operations. With this integration, process data can be securely stored in an InfluxDB for subsequent analysis and processing. This integration bridges the gap between real-time data collection and data analytics, enabling industries to make informed decisions based on historical trends and insights.
Turn-key DataFEED OPC Suite Extended
Softing Industrial’s dataFEED OPC Suite Extended truly embodies the spirit of an all-in-one data integration solution. As a gateway between OPC Classic and OPC UA standards, it seamlessly integrates existing OPC Classic components and applications into modern Industry 4.0 and IIoT environments. By embracing the OPC UA tunnel, industries can transcend the limitations of network boundaries and firewalls, ushering in a new era of secure communication. Moreover, the integration with InfluxDB elevates the suite’s capabilities, offering a pathway to data-driven insights that can drive operational excellence.
Conclusion
As industries march towards greater connectivity, security remains as a critical concern. The release of version 5.30 of the dataFEED OPC Suite by Softing Industrial marks a significant stride in addressing these concerns. The introduction of the OPC UA tunnel revolutionises OPC Classic communication, rendering it more secure and efficient than ever before. Furthermore, the integration with InfluxDB databases provides a conduit for data storage and analysis, empowering industries to extract meaningful insights from their operational data. In a world where data drives progress, Softing Industrial’s dataFEED OPC Suite Extended emerges as a powerful tool for secure, efficient, and insightful industrial communication.
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