Skkynet has released version 11 of its Cogent DataHub software. The new version features a better security model, offers an improved WebView HMI experience, and connects to a wider range of data historians. It also features updates and improvements for MQTT and the Cogent DataHub service for Microsoft Azure.

Improved security

A completely new security model:

  • Importing user accounts from a local Windows computer or an external LDAP server.
  • MFA – Authenticate users using multi-factor authentication, including TOTP (one-time one-time password).
  • Differentiate access permissions of users based on the connection source (for example, IP address, CIDR) and the connection protocol (for example, OPCUA, MQTT, TCP).
  • Create custom roles and permission sets for application features and to better protect data using domain-specific permissions.
  • Granularity of permissions more robust to authorize users.

The new security model uses a new file and format and automatically migrates version 10 security data (for example, users and permissions). It's also easy to roll back to v10 (see documentation).

WebView improvements
DataHub WebView features a number of new features and functionality, including:
  • Multiple page tabs: You can now open multiple pages in edit mode and quickly switch between them. An improved page handling algorithm allows you to quickly switch between pages in run mode.
  • Page viewer control: The new page viewer control lets you fit multiple pages onto a single page. It is useful for creating dashboard views and slide shows.
  • Accessing and modifying controls: Controls can now be searched for, selected and edited in bulk.
  • Lines and arrows: There is a new control for drawing lines and arrows on the page.
  • New script editor: A new script editor offers a more intuitive coding environment with syntax highlighting and search/replace.
Other connections with historians

In version 11, the DataHub External Historian feature connects to:

  • Apache Kafka
  • Azure Event Hubs
  • OPC Classic HDA

Support for ODBC, which allows connection to any SQL database, is currently under development and will be available soon. Additionally, it will soon be possible to use data sources other than InfluxDB.

Better OPC DA client connections

The DataHub OPC DA server in version 11 can provide OPC elements to clients without the domainname: prefix assigned by DataHub.

MQTT improvements

Both the MQTT server and client features include support for Sparkplug 3 and MQTT V5 in version 11.

Cogent DataHub service for Azure

Support for DataHub version 11 running on Azure now includes Git versioning of configuration changes, as well as the ability to edit Azure Firewall rules and add custom DNS names.

Data diode mode

Data Diode mode, available in version 11, configures DataHub tunnels to immediately discard all incoming data without any processing. This mode also allows tunnels to pass through any hardware data diode that supports TCP emulation.

Pig iron.

Other notes

Version 10.05 has also been released which fixes numerous bugs and improvements. The full list of these improvements is available here. Version 10.05 is not a critical update.

With the release of version 11, the DataHub version 10 will reach end-of-life on July 2, 2026. At that point, no more licenses will be issued for version 10 and no support will be available for customers who are not on the maintenance support plan. It is strongly recommended that you upgrade your licenses to Version 11 prior to the end-of-life date to ensure continued support of your DataHub software.

Recall also that DataHub versions 8 and 9 will reach end of life on January 1, 2025.

Find out more about Cogent DataHub by Skkynet

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