Industrial Data Center within a Converged Plantwide Ethernet Architecture
The prevailing trend in Industrial Automation and Control System (IACS) networking is the convergence of technology, specifically IACS operational technology (OT) with information technology (IT). Converged Plantwide Ethernet (CPwE) helps to enable IACS network technology convergence through the use of standard Ethernet, Internet Protocol (IP), network services, security services, and EtherNet/IP™. A reliable and secure converged IACS network technology helps to enable the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).
Successful deployment of IIoT IACS applications within CPwE Architectures (Figure 1) depends on a robust physical infrastructure design that addresses environmental and performance challenges with best practices from OT and IT. The Rockwell Automation Industrial Data Center (IDC), an example of OT-IT convergence, is a solution collaboration between Cisco, Panduit, and Rockwell Automation. The IDC is a building block for physical infrastructure deployment which helps customers address the physical deployment associated with Level 3 Site Operations of the CPwE Logical Model (Figure 2). As a result, users can achieve resilient, scalable infrastructure that supports proven and flexible CPwE Architectures designed to optimize plant-wide IACS application and network performance.
The IDC provides the switching, compute, and associated resources for applications, network, and security services needed to efficiently operate a plant-wide IACS architecture. The IDC is housed within a control room or other location on the premises. Level 3 Site Operations functionality housed by the IDC range from remote access server, network security, application security, and FactoryTalk® applications such as manufacturing execution systems (MES), process historians, asset management, and operations/safety/security dashboards. Continuity of service is imperative as these functions are used for daily decision making on an ever increasing basis. Reliable and secure network support for these applications keeps business communication and operations running smoothly.
Deploying IDC within a Converged Plantwide Ethernet Architecture CRD (Cisco Reference Design), which is documented in the Deploying IDC within a Converged Plantwide Ethernet Architecture Design Guide, outlines several use cases for designing and deploying end-to-end connectivity between the IDC located within Level 3 Site Operations to IACS assets located within various Cell/Area Zones. CPwE IDC CRD was architected, tested, and documented by Cisco Systems, Panduit, and Rockwell Automation.
Note This release of the CPwE architecture focuses on EtherNet/IP, which uses the ODVA Common Industrial Protocol (CIP™) and is ready for the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). For more information on EtherNet/IP, see odva.org at the following URL:
http://www.odva.org/Technology-Standards/EtherNet-IP/Overview
CPwE IDC CRD
CPwE is the underlying architecture that provides standard network and security services for control and information disciplines, devices, and equipment found in modern IACS applications. The CPwE architecture (Figure 1), through testing and validation, provides design and implementation guidance, test results, and documented configuration settings that can help achieve the real-time communication, reliability, scalability, security, and resiliency requirements of modern IACS applications for manufacturers.
An IACS is deployed in a wide variety of discrete and process manufacturing industries such as automotive, pharmaceuticals, consumer packaged goods, pulp and paper, oil and gas, mining, and energy. IACS applications are made up of multiple control and information disciplines such as continuous process, batch, discrete, and hybrid combinations. One of the challenges facing manufacturers is the need to establish reliable and secure connectivity from IACS assets within the Cell/Area Zone(s) to IACS operational applications within Level 3 Site Operations (Figure 2).
CPwE IDC CRD outlines the concepts, requirements, and technology solutions for IDC (Level 3) connectivity use cases that were architected, tested, and documented by Cisco, Panduit, and Rockwell Automation.
The following is a synopsis for CPwE IDC CRD:
–
Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP)
– End-to-end EtherNet/IP connectivity from the IDC to IACS assets within the Cell/Area Zone (Figure 3)
– End-to-end ThinManager® software connectivity from the IDC to thin clients within the Cell/Area Zone (Figure 4)
Figure 3 CPwE IDC EtherNet/IP Connectivity Use Case
Figure 4 CPwE IDC ThinManager Connectivity Use Case
Summary
CPwE is a collection of tested and validated architectures that are developed by subject matter authorities at Cisco and Rockwell Automation. The testing and validation follow the Cisco Validated Design (CVD) and Cisco Reference Design (CRD) methodologies.
The content of CPwE, which is relevant to both OT and IT disciplines, consists of documented architectures, best practices, guidance, and configuration settings to help manufacturers with design and deployment of a scalable, reliable, secure, and future-ready plant-wide industrial network infrastructure. CPwE also helps manufacturers achieve the benefits of minimizing costs using proven designs that can help lead to quicker deployment and reduced risk in deploying new technology. CPwE is brought to market through a strategic alliance between Cisco Systems and Rockwell Automation.
The Deploying IDC within a Converged Plantwide Ethernet Architecture Design Guide outlines several use cases for designing and deploying end-to-end connectivity between the IDC located within Level 3 Site Operations to IACS assets located within various Cell/Area Zones. The Design Guide highlights the key IACS application requirements, technology, and supporting design considerations to help with the successful design and deployment of these specific connectivity use cases within the framework of CPwE. CPwE IDC CRD was architected, tested, and documented by Cisco, Panduit, and Rockwell Automation.
More information on CPwE Design and Implementation Guides can be found at the following URLs:
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