Network Validation Unit for Industrial Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current industrial automation and control systems lack an automated solution for validating the correctness of commissioned communication networks, leading to potential production delays, downtimes, and security risks due to undetected errors in network configurations.
Innovation Solution
A validation unit and method that utilize programmed software modules to collect and compare actual network data with planned data using protocols like SNMP, IEC 61850, and LLDP, detecting differences and generating notifications for discrepancies, thereby ensuring automatic, reliable, and fast validation of communication networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual validation methods are used for network configuration, then ease of operation is maintained, but productivity is reduced due to time-consuming commissioning processes
Solution Approach 1:
The validation unit automatically collects configuration data from network devices and performs validation without requiring manual intervention. The system self-services by autonomously comparing actual configurations against planned configurations, eliminating the need for manual validation processes while maintaining simplicity for the operator.
Solution Approach 2:
The validation unit acts as an intermediary between the network devices and the commissioning process. It collects data from multiple network devices, processes this information centrally, and provides validation results, thereby simplifying the overall system while improving productivity through automated mediation.
2Productivity
If automated validation is implemented, then productivity is improved through faster commissioning, but device complexity increases due to additional validation infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The validation unit is designed to work with multiple network device types and communication protocols (SNMP, IEC 61850, LLDP) through a single platform. This multi-functionality allows the system to handle diverse validation scenarios without requiring separate specialized tools, thereby improving productivity while controlling infrastructure complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adapts to different validation scenarios by changing operational parameters such as communication protocols, data collection methods, and validation criteria rather than requiring structural changes to the infrastructure. This allows flexible validation across different network configurations without increasing physical complexity.
3Reliability
If comprehensive network validation is performed, then reliability is improved by detecting configuration errors, but loss of time increases due to extensive validation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The validation unit performs comprehensive checks on all critical network configuration parameters simultaneously rather than sequentially. By conducting preliminary validation of multiple aspects (connectivity, configuration data, protocol compliance) in parallel, the system achieves high reliability without proportionally increasing validation duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The validation process operates continuously and efficiently by collecting data from multiple sources concurrently and processing validation checks without interruption. This continuous operation ensures thorough validation of network configurations while minimizing total validation time through optimized data collection and processing workflows.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a unit (10) for validating a communication network of an industrial automation and control system. The validation unit (10) comprises a planner module (11) configured to store plan data defining a designed communication network of an industrial automation and control system and a collector module (12) configured to collect effective data defining a deployed communication network of the industrial automation and control system. The validation unit (10) further comprises a difference detector (13) configured to detect differences between the designed communication network and the deployed communication network using the plan data and the effective data. Accordingly, faults or errors in a deployed communication network of the industrial automation and control system can be efficiently detected.