PLC Alias Mapping for Accessing Internal Function Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
In control systems with multiple connected units, users face difficulties in accessing target function units without knowing the IP address of the access destination, especially as the number of connected units increases, leading to a need for a technology that can facilitate communication without requiring IP address ascertainment.
Innovation Solution
A unit connectable to a PLC is provided, which includes a communication unit for relaying communication between external devices and internal units, a setting unit for acquiring and substituting address information with identifiers, and a link information generation unit for generating access links, allowing access to internal units from external devices without revealing their IP addresses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users directly access function units using IP addresses, then communication between external devices and function units is established, but it becomes difficult to grasp and manage IP addresses as the number of function units increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) as an intermediary device between external devices and function units. The PLC manages the mapping between aliases and IP addresses, allowing users to access function units through simple aliases without needing to know or manage complex IP address information. The PLC receives access requests containing aliases, resolves them to corresponding IP addresses, and forwards the requests to the appropriate function units.
2Adaptability or versatility
If IP addresses of internal units are disclosed to external devices, then direct communication is enabled, but security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The PLC acts as a security intermediary that shields internal function units from direct exposure to external devices. It maintains a private mapping table between aliases and IP addresses that is not accessible to external devices. The PLC performs alias resolution and IP address translation, ensuring that external devices only interact with the PLC through secure alias-based access, thereby preventing direct IP address disclosure and reducing security vulnerabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates an abstract representation (alias) of the function units' identity that can be safely shared with external devices, while the actual IP addresses remain protected. The alias serves as a copy or substitute for the real IP address, allowing communication to proceed without exposing sensitive addressing information.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a technology with which it is possible to access a function unit to be accessed without ascertaining an IP address of the function unit. Provided is a unit comprising: a communication unit for relaying a communication between an external device connected to a first network and another unit connected to a second network; a setting unit for acquiring address information of the other unit in the second network from the other unit and generating setting information in which the address information is associated with an identifier which substitutes for the address information; and a link information generation unit for generating, on the basis of the identifier, link information used to access information on the other unit from the external device.