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How a Dual-Ethernet HMI Becomes a Gateway into Your Control Network

 
Security is paramount in today's technologically advanced times, and so is connectivity. Many PLCs take advantage of Ethernet communication to transmit data to a monitoring device, such as an HMI. Plant corporate networks, of course, can also run via Ethernet and Wi-Fi networking. But how do you get data from the PLC to your corporate network without making compromises in terms of bandwidth and security, or without placing the PLC directly onto this same corporate network?
Our Dual-Ethernet models conveniently divide competing connectivity demands between two separate networks. This offers the benefit of connecting to the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), while increasing the reliability and security of your private control network so your machinery can keep operating at peak performance.

The HMI becomes a gateway into your control network.

The PLC can transmit everything to the HMI without having to deal with slowdowns or network traffic, and the HMI can maintain a connection to the plant network for VNC monitoring, sending status reports, data log files, and email alarms. In the event of a catastrophic failure in your corporate network, the HMI maintains its PLC connection, which means the machine stays up and running. Only data that is intentionally shared with the Internet will be accessible from the outside world. PLC and other machine hardware on the control network cannot be directly accessed, greatly improving security and preserving bandwidth for time-critical control tasks. Maintaining separate networks is a best practice for the security-conscious, and our Dual-Ethernet models allow that to happen at a great price.


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