IBH Link UA Quad Core 64 Bit
The IBH Link UA Quad Core 64 Bit has the same capabilities as the IBH Link UA Quad Core but is significantly more powerful, running on a 64 bit 1.8 GHz processor with 4 GB of RAM. It is an OPC UA Server and Client module with an integrated firewall for the SIMATIC S5, S7-200, S7-300, S7-400, S7-1200, S7-1500 and LOGO! (Ethernet versions) PLC families, in a compact DIN rail mount unit with four Ethernet ports and a 24 V power supply.
Docker container support
The added processing power makes this model particularly suitable for Docker containers. Docker is an open source tool that provides a portable, consistent runtime environment for software applications. It uses containers as isolated user space environments that run at the operating system level and share the file system and system resources.
Global Discovery Service (GDS) client
A Global Discovery Server provides mechanisms for the central management of:
- CA signed certificates and self signed certificates
- Trusted lists and certificate revocation lists (CRL)
A GDS gives you a single access point for central certificate management, taking on the role of a security server within an OPC UA network. The IBH Link UA Quad Core 64 Bit includes GDS client functionality, and a GDS server from Unified Automation can optionally be installed as a Docker container.
Data models and methods with Python
To link data models or companion specifications with Python modules on the IBH Link UA, the desired companion spec or data model is integrated into the project on the device. The OPC Foundation has specified data models for a wide range of industries. In industrial automation these cover the automation of production facilities and machines, including machine control, monitoring and diagnostics, as well as production process management and energy management. Everything Python offers can then be applied to those models.
Configuration
The IBH Link UA is configured with the free IBH OPC UA Editor, the original Siemens STEP 7, or the TIA Portal. No other special software is needed, so the IBH Link UA integrates seamlessly into the PLC project. It can handle up to 31 STEP 7 and TIA projects at the same time.
Variable definitions are transferred from the programming tool to the IBH Link UA over Ethernet. Variable attributes such as write protection or limits are defined directly within the PLC project, which allows symbolic access to variables and data block structures.
Ports, firewall and network separation
Communication with S5 and S7 PLCs runs over Ethernet. If the PLC has no Ethernet port, the IBH Link S7++ or IBH Link S5++ gateways can be used.
The IBH Link UA has three Ethernet ports for the machine level and one for the supervision level. On the supervision level, only OPC access is permitted, and a firewall sits between the two levels. The Ethernet ports are configured from a standard web browser.
Server and client at the same time
One advantage of the IBH Link UA is that it supports client and server functions simultaneously, which allows data exchange between different OPC UA servers. Control systems and other equipment running OPC UA servers from different manufacturers can exchange data with each other. The client functions are configured from a standard web browser.
User defined variables and MQTT
User defined OPC UA variables: data structures can be defined in a separate namespace and connected to any other OPC UA server through the client function, so other OPC UA clients can read and write those structures as well.
MQTT connection: user defined OPC UA variables can be exchanged with an MQTT broker or server. The IBH Link UA can therefore act as a layer between machines and control systems such as MES and ERP, independently of SIMATIC controllers.
Historical access
Where OPC Data Access provides real time access to data, OPC Historical Access (OPC HDA) provides access to data that has already been stored. Everything from simple data logging systems to complex SCADA systems can query historical data in a standardized way. Historical data is activated from the web browser.
Features at a glance
- 64 bit 1.8 GHz processor with 4 GB RAM
- Docker container support
- Global Discovery Service (GDS) client for central certificate management
- Data models and companion specifications extensible with Python
- OPC UA server for easy connection to MES, ERP and SAP systems and to visualizations
- OPC UA client functions for data exchange between different OPC UA servers
- Certified by the OPC Foundation
- Integrated SoftPLC for data preprocessing
- Four Ethernet ports with firewall for clean separation of machine and supervision levels
- Scalable security levels through exchange of digitally signed certificates
- Connection to S7 PLCs over S7 TCP/IP or IBH Link S7++
- Connection to S5 PLCs over IBH Link S5++
- Support for Mitsubishi MELSEC iQ-R, FX5, QnA and L series controllers
- Support for Rockwell ControlLogix and CompactLogix controllers
- Modbus connection
- MQTT connection
- Configuration with the IBH OPC UA Editor, Siemens STEP 7 or the TIA Portal
- Handles up to 31 projects simultaneously
- Administration through a web browser
- Historical Data
- Alarms and Conditions
- Custom definable address space
- Download and upload of the configuration via MicroSD card
