DataHub use case
In a multibillion-dollar upgrade to a large North American city's water supply system, the Cogent DataHub was chosen to provide secure connectivity between the SCADA systems of each remote pumping station and the utility's central offices.
In the first phase of the project, a DataHub was installed at each remote location and connected via OPC DA to that station's SCADA system. Each of these DataHubs was then connected in turn to the central office. The data flow from the stations to the central office was configured to be outbound only, which prevents any data from being sent to remote pump stations.
With data from all the pumping stations arriving in a central DataHub, they were able to use it in a variety of ways. Selected data from each station was recorded in a database, using the DataHub's Database function. An additional DataHub was installed in the IT department to mirror and bridge data to other OPC servers in operation.
In the next phase of the project, the utility company set up new tunnel connections between each of the remote pumping stations to allow them to share data with each other. In this way each station was informed of the general condition of the entire system, and if one station saw performance degrade, the other stations became aware of it in real time, and could quickly adjust their production as needed.
The final phase of the project was to implement redundancy. Some of the remote sites had two redundant SCADA systems. By setting up a separate connection for each system to the central DataHub, system engineers were able to use the DataHub's redundancy feature to switch connections whenever the active one went down.
What does Skkynet do?
Skkynet provides software solutions and services for secure, real-time industrial data communications. DataHub® middleware technology is available for embedded systems, cloud applications and as on-premise software, allowing users to capture, monitor, control,
view, securely network and consolidate real-time process data over insecure networks. Our patented approach is based on security-by-design and allows you to reshape system architecture giving users (at different company levels) access to plant data, keeping critical systems safe behind closed DMZs and firewalls . Skkynet is actively involved in developing solutions forIndustrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and applications Industry 4.0.
What problems does it solve?
Skkynet solves the problem of secure access to process data. In the past, the critical infrastructure and industrial systems they were isolated from corporate networks and the Internet, making access to Industrial Big Data difficult or impossible. With the advent of digitalization, IIoT, Industrie 4.0 (and the need for remote access to industrial systems during the COVID 19 pandemic) companies now require access to their industrial data in real time like never before. However, traditional technologies based on a client-server model require firewalls to be opened for access the data of the "plant floor". Solutions using VPN or MQTT are not adequate to meet the needs of securely isolating corporate networks and operations while still providing access for monitoring and control of mission-critical systems. Skkynet uses our protocol (DHTP) to allow the two-way data flow between networks through proxies and DMZs, which means secure data communications between the operational and management levels of a company, including cloud platforms.
Who are your customers and fields of application?
Users of Skkynet software and services are found in all industries: Energy, Oil & Gas, Minerals & Mining, Manufacturing, Food & Beverage, Pharma & Healthcare, Machines & Tools, Transportation and many more.
Among our major customers are system integrators such as Siemens, AVEVA, ABB, Yokogawa, Honeywell, Metso, and dozens of specialized integrators. End users include Shell, GSK, Air Products, Gamesa, Caterpillar, IBM, GE, Equinor, Goodyear, BASF, SCG, Tata, Fuji Electric, TEVA, Kimberley-Clark, E.ON, HeidelbergCement, Boeing, Gazprom, Bombardier and Bank of Canada, to name just a few.
These customers and system integrators use Skkynet software and services to access, integrate and redistribute their process data, allowing them to manage their systems more efficiently and reduce costs.
