Abstract: Embodiments of system and methods for providing centralized management of a software defined automation (“SDA”) system are disclosed. The SDA system comprises of a collection of controller nodes and logically centralized and yet physically distributed collection of compute nodes by monitoring activities of the compute nodes. In accordance with some embodiments, one or more components of the system monitor execution, network and security environments of the system to detect an event in a first environment. In response to the detected event, at least one component in the first environment is remediated, the remediation of the first environment creating a trigger to cause remediation of at least one component in each of a second and third environments.

Abstract: An industrial software defined network (SDN) architecture, system and methods for centralized and simplified management of an industrial network is disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of a software defined automation system that provides a reference architecture for designing, managing and maintaining a highly available, scalable and flexible automation system. In some embodiments, an SDA system can include a localized subsystem including a system controller node and multiple compute nodes. The multiple compute nodes can be communicatively coupled to the system controller node via a first communication network. The system controller node can manage the multiple compute nodes and virtualization of a control system on a compute node via the first communication network. The virtualized control system includes virtualized control system elements connected to a virtual network that is connected to a second communication network to enable the virtualized control system elements to control a physical control system element via the second communication network connected to the virtual network.

Abstract: An industrial software defined network (SDN) architecture, system and methods for centralized and simplified management of an industrial network is disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of system and methods for providing centralized management of a software defined automation (“SDA”) system are disclosed. The SDA system comprises of a collection of controller nodes and logically centralized and yet physically distributed collection of compute nodes by monitoring activities of the compute nodes. In accordance with some embodiments, one or more components of the system monitor execution, network and security environments of the system to detect an event in a first environment. In response to the detected event, at least one component in the first environment is remediated, the remediation of the first environment creating a trigger to cause remediation of at least one component in each of a second and third environments.

Abstract: Embodiments of system and methods for providing centralized management of a software defined automation (“SDA”) system are disclosed. The SDA system comprises of a collection of controller nodes and logically centralized and yet physically distributed collection of compute nodes by monitoring activities of the compute nodes. In accordance with some embodiments, one or more components of the system monitor execution, network and security environments of the system to detect an event in a first environment. In response to the detected event, at least one component in the first environment is remediated, the remediation of the first environment creating a trigger to cause remediation of at least one component in each of a second and third environments.

Abstract: Embodiments of system and methods for providing centralized management of a software defined automation (“SDA”) system are disclosed. The SDA system comprises of a collection of controller nodes and logically centralized and yet physically distributed collection of compute nodes by monitoring activities of the compute nodes. In accordance with some embodiments, one or more components of the system monitor execution, network and security environments of the system to detect an event in a first environment. In response to the detected event, at least one component in the first environment is remediated, the remediation of the first environment creating a trigger to cause remediation of at least one component in each of a second and third environments.

Abstract: Embodiments of a software defined automation system that provides a reference architecture for designing, managing and maintaining a highly available, scalable and flexible automation system. In some embodiments, an SDA system can include a localized subsystem including a system controller node and multiple compute nodes. The multiple compute nodes can be communicatively coupled to the system controller node via a first communication network. The system controller node can manage the multiple compute nodes and virtualization of a control system on a compute node via the first communication network. The virtualized control system includes virtualized control system elements connected to a virtual network that is connected to a second communication network to enable the virtualized control system elements to control a physical control system element via the second communication network connected to the virtual network.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer readable medium allow a cable break or other network link failure to be detected and reported. The method may include steps of periodically transmitting a packet from a root node in the network to a next node in the network; at each successive non-root node in the loop, manipulating the packet and forwarding the manipulated packet to a next successive node in the loop; when the packet is received back at the root node within a predetermined time period, reporting that the loop is intact; and when the packet is not received back at the root node within the predetermine time period, reporting that a network break has occurred. The network may conform to the STP or RSTP protocols, and may contain one or more rings possibly including dual rings. The PLC may operate as the root node, and the reporting may be done at an application level in the PLC.

Abstract: A system, method, and software product are provided for updating parameters, such as requested packet intervals (RPIs), in a network. The system may include one or more PLCs, communication controllers, and I/O devices coupled in a communication network, such as EtherNet/IP. A request to change a parameter (e.g., scanning rate or timeout value) is transmitted from the PLC to an I/O device specifying a new parameter value or time-out value. The I/O device may receive the message, use a temporary time-out value while processing the message, and transmit an acknowledgement confirming the new value to the PLC. The I/O device may use the updated parameter and new time-out value. The updated parameter may be implemented without the need to take down and re-establish network connections to the affected devices.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer readable medium allow a cable break or other network link failure to be detected and reported. The method may include steps of periodically transmitting a packet from a root node in the network to a next node in the network; at each successive non-root node in the loop, manipulating the packet and forwarding the manipulated packet to a next successive node in the loop; when the packet is received back at the root node within a predetermined time period, reporting that the loop is intact; and when the packet is not received back at the root node within the predetermine time period, reporting that a network break has occurred. The network may conform to the STP or RSTP protocols, and may contain one or more rings possibly including dual rings. The PLC may operate as the root node, and the reporting may be done at an application level in the PLC.

Abstract: Method, apparatuses, and software are described, in which an adapter in an EtherNet/IP network may determine whether a first redundant owner connection between the adapter and a first scanner is open. If it is determined that the first redundant owner connection is not open, then a network status light or other indicator of the adapter may be caused to emit a solid green color or otherwise indicate a first status if a second redundant owner connection between the adapter and a second scanner is open, and to emit a flashing red color or a flashing green color (or otherwise indicate a second or third status) if no redundant owner connection to the adapter is open.

Abstract: A system, method, and software product are provided for updating parameters, such as requested packet intervals (RPIs), in a network. The system may include one or more PLCs, communication controllers, and I/O devices coupled in a communication network, such as EtherNet/IP. A request to change a parameter (e.g., scanning rate or timeout value) is transmitted from the PLC to an I/O device specifying a new parameter value or time-out value. The I/O device may receive the message, use a temporary time-out value while processing the message, and transmit an acknowledgement confirming the new value to the PLC. The I/O device may use the updated parameter and new time-out value. The updated parameter may be implemented without the need to take down and re-establish network connections to the affected devices.

Abstract: A networking system is discussed. The system may be used for industrial networks, where deterministic behavior is often valued. Bounded message travel times may be achieved for a first set of network traffic. Additional traffic may be routed over the networking system without interfering with the message travel times associated with the first set of network traffic. Systems and methods for assigning priority to various sets of network traffic are discussed.

Abstract: A method of configuring a communication network including a network device includes obtaining a first parameter associated with a predetermined topological characteristic of the communication network, a second parameter associated with a communication protocol of the communication network and a third parameter associated with a performance characteristic of the communication network, and calculating a connection timeout value based on the first parameter, the second parameter and the third parameter. The network device is configured to determine whether a communication timeout has occurred on the communication network based on the connection timeout value. Calculating the connection timeout value may include calculating a sum of the first parameter, the second parameter and the third parameter.

Abstract: A networking system is discussed. The system may be used for industrial networks, where deterministic behavior is often valued. Bounded message travel times may be achieved for a first set of network traffic. Additional traffic may be routed over the networking system without interfering with the message travel times associated with the first set of network traffic. Systems and methods for assigning priority to various sets of network traffic are discussed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for redundantly and reactionlessly connecting networks to each other, such as communication networks, particularly Ethernet networks, wherein there is a plurality of network devices which communicate and exchange data with each other via data lines in the network which has at least one, preferably a plurality of network segments, characterized in that at least more than one RSTP protocol instance is implemented on the network devices for coupling network segments so that one network segment can be connected per RSTP protocol instance.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and computer-readable media support diagnosing a communications network using a network protocol that ensures a loop-free topology to prevent bridge loops. One of the network devices is identified as a selected device in a network ring, where the selected device interacts with the network ring through first and second ports. The values of some of the parameters of the selected device are modified to be distinguishable from that of any network device in the ring, and diagnostics about the functioning of the network protocol are then performed to obtain state information about the first and second ports. When one of the ports is determined to be in the blocking state, network redundancy for the network ring is verified. However, when neither of the ports is not in the blocking state, a redundancy problem may be detected.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer readable medium are provided for configuring devices in a network, such as an Industrial Ethernet network. An application program includes application-specific configuration data intended to configure one or more devices in the network. The configuration data may be exported from the application and saved in one or more files. When each device boots up, it performs a network query to obtain its configuration data from a corresponding one of the files. Each device may perform a standardized network query, such as a DHCP query, to obtain preliminary network configuration data. Thereafter, the device may use another standard networking protocol, such as FTP or TFTP, to query its application-specific configuration data from a configuration file. Thereafter, the device and the application program may communicate according to the configuration parameters.

Abstract: Method, apparatuses, and software are described, in which an adapter in an EtherNet/IP network may determine whether a first redundant owner connection between the adapter and a first scanner is open. If it is determined that the first redundant owner connection is not open, then a network status light or other indicator of the adapter may be caused to emit a solid green color or otherwise indicate a first status if a second redundant owner connection between the adapter and a second scanner is open, and to emit a flashing red color or a flashing green color (or otherwise indicate a second or third status) if no redundant owner connection to the adapter is open.