Hello,
As Remote Access is coming more and more popular, I would like to have some opinions from people that use the solutions that are available.
In theory, a proper Remote Access solution should make your connection to a plc, just as robust if you are on the other side of the planet, as if you are standing next to it. However, my experience is that this is not always so. We use Remote Access where we have a lot of different equipment that sometimes needs protocol converters (Ethernet - RS232 etc...).We also use VPN to reach our routers/switches. Depending on where the plant is located, the data traffic has to go through maybe 15-20 hops through worldwide routers, and into the plant. I have seen connections go down, while we are trending values, and it is hard to say why they go down.
There are many benefits from Remote Access, but sometimes I feel that it is not as easy as described. People often take for granted that IT/Automation interface between plant, vendor, ISPs etc is as easy as logging into Facebook....
Do any of you have any opinions on this, and maybe advices on how to make this stuff as bulletproof as possible. We also install equipment on ships, and that makes it even harder, as the can change locations frequently.
Thanks
As Remote Access is coming more and more popular, I would like to have some opinions from people that use the solutions that are available.
In theory, a proper Remote Access solution should make your connection to a plc, just as robust if you are on the other side of the planet, as if you are standing next to it. However, my experience is that this is not always so. We use Remote Access where we have a lot of different equipment that sometimes needs protocol converters (Ethernet - RS232 etc...).We also use VPN to reach our routers/switches. Depending on where the plant is located, the data traffic has to go through maybe 15-20 hops through worldwide routers, and into the plant. I have seen connections go down, while we are trending values, and it is hard to say why they go down.
There are many benefits from Remote Access, but sometimes I feel that it is not as easy as described. People often take for granted that IT/Automation interface between plant, vendor, ISPs etc is as easy as logging into Facebook....
Do any of you have any opinions on this, and maybe advices on how to make this stuff as bulletproof as possible. We also install equipment on ships, and that makes it even harder, as the can change locations frequently.
Thanks