Connect multiple PLCnext controllers to webplatform

Proficloud
1

Hi everybody,
I have been in automation for 15 years now, but I am new to the PLCnext eco system. At the moment we have a specific question from a customer and for this I was busy coming up with the right system design. I had a few questions about this, hope you can help me.

Situation:
We have our own existing web platform with which we monitor customer installations. Now we also want to be able to send a few signals from the web platform to the customer installations locally. We want to use the plcnext controller for this.
At the moment it would be about 50 locations, but eventually perhaps 1000 locations in the future. The design must therefore remain scalable.

Question 1
We want to link the plcnext directly to our web platform via rest api, this is normally based on the IP address. Since the plc is connected on location to a customer network, I expect a lot of hassle with firewalls, ip addresses, etc.
is it possible to connect securely based on the UUID or another way so that we are not dependent on the customer’s network and do not have to supply a separate 4G modem with the PLC?

Question 2
The above could possibly be realized via the proficloud solution.
PLC > proficloud > our web platform
We also want to be able to send a number of parameters locally to the PLC via our web platform. These signals are not time critical, but within 10-20 seconds would be desirable.
We could make a watchdog in the plc with a kind of mode what it should do in case of network loss.
Is this set-up and response times feasible or not recommended for a live environment?

Question 3
The Metric license count in proficloud will be important if you are talking about these larger numbers.
Suppose you want to realize multiple signals in two directions between the PLC and the web platform:

  • 1 integer value 0-100 from web platform > PLC
  • 1 integer value 0-5000 from web platform > PLC
  • 2 BOOL values from web platform > PLC
  • 2 BOOL values from PLC > web platform (watchdog/heartbeat)

Can these signals be combined in, for example, one DOUBLE WORD? So that it counts as one metric?

Hopefully you can provide me with advice on how this could be set up properly, safely, but also scalable and manageable.

Regards Arnold

2

Hello!
Let me share one thought about your questions. I don’t know how does your web-platform organized, so excuse if I’ll mess.
It seems to me that all your tasks can be covered by organization of VPN tunnel between your plc pool and web-platform server. PLC have to manage vpn-client by it’s own, to securely connect to platform via customers network and internet, and regress possible local hassles. As proof of concept, take a look at Logmein Hamachi. It has armhf deb package, that easely can be installed on axcf1152/2152 plc, and organize small network playground for free.
Best regards

3

Another way to deal with this task is play around TLS-socket connection between local plc and remote web-platform. TLS-socket FB’s provided PLCNext engineer from the box.

4

Hi Everybody,
i am trying to connect two AXC 2152 and one Bus Coupler Profinet, in PLCNext Engineer at the same time, in the same red but i have a Problem, the software detect all Online Devices, but i can add all device in one unique project. I am sure, i am doing something wrong but i don’t know what.
Just to feel confident, this is possible do in PLCNext? I mean, PLCNext support multiples controller, and bus coupler at the same time?
I have one of AXC 2152 with IP 192.168.1.2 and the other one AXC 2152 with IP 192.168.1.3. Additionally i have one remote I/O (bus coupler with 4 I/O Modules) with IP address 192.168.1.105
Please help me, What is the correct procedure for working with and adding multiple controllers and bus couplers on the same network?

5

Hello!
There is only one PLC per project allowed as trunk of project. But there is up to 64 profinet devices can be attached to profinet controller of AXCF2152 plc.
So, in this case one of PLCs have to be declared as profinet device, and exchange some data with the main one. And for that underlying plc separate PLCN Engineer project have to be created.
As for multiply masters on the same profinet network, with access to the the same bus couplers, I`m not sure it will operate as expected too.
Br