Besides installing servers, cabinets and control room equipment, a properly designed communication network is essential for any SCADA system. The purpose of a communications network within a SCADA system is to connect the remote terminal units (RTUs) with the SCADA Master.
Between 3G and 4G LTE networks, the geographical coverage area for SCADA networks has exploded.
As the need for reliable, real-time data communication in mission-critical SCADA systems continues to increase, utilities like electric power are seeking new and innovative ways to improve communications infrastructure. However, the more RTUs there are, the more communication equipment needs to be deployed. The answer? Zero-touch deployment.
There is an automatic provisioning solution known as EasyDeploy which reduce the complexities of tracking, configuring and managing multiple devices across numerous locations, with varying user needs and permissions.
EasyDeploy makes configuring SCADA routers fast and easy
EasyDeploy means you don’t have to configure the router by plugging it in, connecting it to a computer and using the command line or web interface to enter configuration data.
Instead, EasyDeploy lets you specify all the device configuration, scripts, applications and software from a USB flash drive.
The benefits of EasyDeploy
- The SCADA device can be sent from the warehouse to the deployment site without any pre-configuration steps.
- The procedure required to deploy the device is simplified, resulting in reduced operational and administrative costs.
- Large numbers of devices can be rolled-out in a very short time.
EasyDeploy uses AutoRUN
AutoRUN provides automatic configuration for a new device that you connect to the network and turn on, or for any existing device configured for AutoRUN.
This AutoRUN mechanism allows the new device to configure itself out-of-the-box with no manual intervention, using the configuration available on the network, locally through USB storage media, or a combination of both.
AutoRun instructions
Configuration Server
USB Configuration method
Conclusion
EasyDeploy not only reduces the time to deploy a SCADA network compared to manual configuration, but dramatically reduces the number of configuration errors, which means your network is up and running faster with less troubleshooting and less headaches.
