Reference Architectures for Industrial Automation and Control Systems

Technical Abstract

Rockwell Automation and Cisco have developed a set of Reference Architectures for Industrial Automation and Control Systems that promote use of standard Ethernet network functions in a hierarchical model. These architectures are designed to provide necessary levels of resiliency, scalability, security (including secure remote access) and high availability. The Reference Architecture has been adopted by numerous customers across a range of industries.

  1. Segmentation, for example Virtual LANs (VLANs) for layer 2 and De-Militarized Zones with firewalls
  2. Multicast management;
  3. Prioritization with QoS
  4. Resiliency on a range of network topologies
  5. Scalability.

This paper will present the key functions and tenets of these Reference Architectures.

Paper and presentation from the 2012 ODVA Industry Conference & 15th Annual Meeting

Paul Didier, Cisco Systems, Inc.