Westermo industrial Ethernet switch
reduces the stress for ABB Force Measurement

ABB FM (Force Measurement) is using Westermo´s Redfox industrial Ethernet switch with its latest version of Stressometer system for measurement and control of rolling mills. The implementation of the Redfox Industrial device has helped to reduce the number of data communication products needed from six to one, simplifying the system and lowering costs.

ABB FM is a leading global supplier of control systems for rolling mills. The company´s Stressometer system, consisting of a variety of measuring and control instruments, optimises the process to produce the highest quality rolled products. When implementing a previous version of the Stressometer system, the rolling mill control network would often consist of up to six different networking devices. These included switches, routers, converters and firewalls that would invariably be supplied by different manufacturers. This could result in compatibility issues and a lack of critical networking functions such as secure VPNs and separation of networks. It also resulted in difficulties installing and maintaining these complex networks. The greater number of products needing to be configured meant it took longer to install and required a higher level of network knowledge. The need to use multiple products also contributed to a congested control cabinet, which would then need to be cooled. This leads to increased maintenance requirements as fans become worn.

The networking solution for Stressometer is now based on a single RedFox Industrial 18 port, layer 3 switch running Westermo´s WeOS operating system. The WeOS operating system has been developed by Westermo to provide layer 2 and layer 3 functions, which means the RedFox Industrial device can be used as both a switch and a router. The WeOS operating system can also manage complex networking issues including advanced security. For example each port can be configured with individual firewall rules and support is provided for encrypted VPN tunnels, which means you can connect securely over the internet.

These new functions provided by Redfox Industrial Are now enabling the Stressometer system to handle multiple data communication networks within the mill using a single networking device.

"We have been delivering this latest version of the Stressometer system incorporating the RedFox Industrial device since 2010 and we have had no problems at all with the data communications," says Christer Gustafsson, Data Communications Manager at ABB FM. "When we upgraded our system we wanted a more unified networking solution. The Westermo device helps achieve this by avoiding compatibility problems between products from different manufacturers. Because of this the system is now easier for us to install and maintain and costs less to deliver."

The RedFox Industrial´s WeOS operating system enables the communication network to be subdivided into three Virtual VLANs: A protected VLAN, using an encrypted VPN tunnel that is not accessible by the client, connects all the measuring and control instruments. A second VLAN connects to the rolling mill control computer and the third connects to the mill's office network. This provides a link to the Internet and enables the system to be monitored securely from outside the industrial network.

The new network solution for the Stressometer system is delivered preconfigured and installation is as simple as plugging in a few cables. Once in place, it is virtually maintenance free. If the Stressometer system requires updates or servicing, ABB FM can simply access the protected part of the network over the Internet via the encrypted VPN tunnel. Although the system is pre-configured it is still very flexible. Should equipment be plugged in or moved Network Address Translation (NAT) rules can be applied without affecting the original configuration.

The ABB Stressometer systems are installed in tough industrial environments. Westermo´s RedFox Industrial switch has been designed specifically for such applications and will operate in environments with high levels of electromagnetic interference and in extreme temperatures of between -40 to +70degC.

"We have tried many different industrial data communication products from different suppliers, but none have been good enough for our demanding requirements. The new solution, incorporating the Westermo device, works very well and requires very little technical support," concludes Gustafsson.

Westermo in profile
Westermo provides a full range of industrial data communications solutions for demanding applications in the transport, water and energy markets among others. For more than 35 years Westermo has been at the forefront of technological development and often pushed the limits of what is technically possible. In order to provide the best possible support, we have local presence in more than 35 countries through our authorized distributors and own offices. Since 2008 Westermo has been part of the Beijer Electronics Group, a fast growing technology company with extensive experience of industrial automation, developing and marketing competitive products and solutions with focus on the user

For further information, e-mail: magnus.jansson@westermo.se or view website: www.westermo.com  Refer to page 120

Belden plug-n-protect OPC firewall
provides robust cyber security for automation facilities

Picture shows the Hirschmann™ EAGLE20 Tofino OPC Enforcer capable of protecting networks using OPC Classic, the world's most widely used industrial integration protocol.

Belden's version 1.6.0 of its Hirschmann™ EAGLE20 Tofino industrial network security system, includes the EAGLE20 Tofino OPC Enforcer Loadable Software Module (LSM). Developed by Byres Security Inc. for Hirschmann™, the OPC Enforcer locks down any system using the widely installed OPC Classic protocol, providing superior security over what can be achieved with conventional firewall solutions. The result is improved network reliability and security for the process control and SCADA industries.

OPC Classic is widely used in control systems as an interoperability solution, interfacing control applications from multiple vendors. But the technologies underlying it were designed before network security issues were widely understood. As a result, OPC Classic has been almost impossible to secure until now. Thomas J. Burke, President, OPC Foundation, commented "The Tofino OPC Enforcer is an important innovation and a great solution for the 90% of industrial networks that use OPC Classic."

The EAGLE20 Tofino OPC Enforcer provides two important benefits: 1) It provides robust security and stability for systems using OPC Classic, thus preventing industrial network attacks and accidents. Unlike other firewalls, this product inspects tracks and secures every connection made by an OPC application, opening only the exact TCP port required for a connection between an OPC client and server. 2) It is implemented without any system changes. The EAGLE20 Tofino hardware is simply installed into the live network and configured using a drag and drop editor to select permitted clients and servers. Once installed, network security is assured, with all OPC traffic managed behind the scenes.

While a lot of the headlines around cyber security focus on hacker attacks, in fact many incidents result from internal network incidents.

"Past plant shutdowns, for example, haven't been caused by hackers. Instead they were the result of badly configured software causing traffic storms that impacted critical controllers and other systems," said Eric Byres, security expert and Chief Technical Officer at Byres Security. "The EAGLE20 Tofino OPC Enforcer LSM does much more than block hackers and viruses from accessing the safety system. Its dynamic port management and built-in traffic-rate controls prevent many basic network problems from spreading throughout a plant."

For further information about Belden, view website: www.beldensolutions.com or e-mail: inet-sales@belden.com  Refer to next page

Brad Micro-Change M12 Circular Hybrid Technology (CHT) Connectors from Molex

Molex Incorporated's innovative Brad® Micro-Change® M12 Circular Hybrid Technology (CHT) connector combines Cat 5e data speed and power supply for high signal integrity and excellent performance. By combining both the power and data lines in one M12 connector, the Micro-Change CHT reduces footprint in addition to both installation and cabling costs in Process and Automation Control and Industrial applications as well as in HVAC systems, Telecoms Infrastructure, Vision Systems and Surveillance Cameras, Mil/Aero and Non-Automotive Transportation (NAT).

Based on the robust Brad Micro-Change M12 threaded connector design, the Micro-Change CHT connector comprises 2 shielded twisted pairs cat 5e data lines and either 2 or 4 contacts capable of carrying up to 10A per contact. It is overmoulded to ensure complete IP67-rated sealing and provide dependable strain relief. The fully-shielded 4-pin array for the Cat5e lines with wrap around metal tube (patent pending) allows for optimum signal integrity and performance - the two overlapping tubes channel the signal through the connector without affecting crosstalk and EMI (Electromagnetic Interference).

The Micro-Change CHT 4+2 and 4+4 configuration is currently available in the M12 threaded form factor  but future plans include extending the design into Ultra-Lock®, M16 and M23 connector formats. "As the unique Molex shielding concept of the Micro-Change Circular Hybrid Technology connector is not limited to the M12 format," explains Ted Szarkowski, global product manager for integrated products, industrial at Molex, "we are able to adapt the technology to meet specific customer needs and requirements." For further information, view website: www.molex.com/link/xrc.html   Refer to page 108

Molex high-speed interconnect solutions

Molex  demonstrated and showcased a wide range of innovative fibre optic interconnect solutions and complete sub-systems optimised for high-speed communications at ECOC - the largest European optical communications event and the meeting place for everyone in the fibre optic communication technology industry.

Picture: Quad Small Form-factor Pluggable (QSFP+) Active Optical Cable (AOC) assemblies.

Providing the longest link distance and lowest power consumption on the market today, the Quad Small Form-factor Pluggable (QSFP+) Active Optical Cable (AOC) assemblies can achieve total bandwidths of 40Gbps over long reaches of up to 4km (2.49 miles) using only 0.78W per cable end.  By improving overall data centre power consumption, additional ports can be deployed, resulting in increased connectivity options and overall cost savings.

For next-generation high-density applications found in telecommunications, data networking, test and measurement and medical diagnostic equipment, Molex has developed the z-Quad Small Form-factor Pluggable Plus (zQSFP+) interconnect solution. The end-to-end system includes Surface Mount Technology (SMT) connectors, electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding cages, passive copper cable assemblies and Active Optical Cable (AOC) assemblies. For the Extended Data Rate (EDR) standard, with a speed of 25Gbps per lane, Molex is targeting sampling availbility of  an 100Gbps zQSFP+ EDR version (4x 25Gbps) AOC in mid-2012. 

For further information, view website: www.molex.com/product/fiber/index.html