Ethernet remote I/O modules.

Ethernet expandable I/O modules now offer field-selectable EtherNet/IP or Modbus TCP/IP networking protocol.

The new BusWorks® NT series remote I/O modules from Acromag, are now enhanced with EtherNet/IP support. Ethernet industrial protocol, EtherNet/IP, is traditional Ethernet combined with an industrial application layer protocol targeted to industrial automation. Applications for these high-performance Ethernet I/O modules are remote monitoring and control, condition monitoring and predictive maintenance, building HVAC energy consumption, and more.

These modules were tested at an ODVA, Open DeviceNet Vendors Association, vendor-independent Test Service Provider, and received an ODVA Declaration of Conformity. This organization confirms interoperability across vendors and systems.

NTE Ethernet I/O models have dual RJ45 ports and a webserver with Modbus TCP/IP and Ethernet/IP communication to monitor or control the internal I/O channels. An integrated DIN rail bus allows connections of up to three NTX expansion I/O modules. Each I/O module adds up to 16 input or output signals allowing a mix of voltage, current, temperature, TTL, and relay control signals networked on one IP address. The space-saving design requires only 25mm of DIN rail per module. Ethernet I/O modules distribute 9-32V DC power along the DIN rail bus to expansion modules. Hazardous location approvals, high noise immunity, and -40 to 70°C operation make this I/O ideal for use in harsh environments.

“NT Series Ethernet I/O modules are user-configurable for Ethernet/IP or Modbus/TCP, offering a convenient solution for engineers with multi-protocol control systems,” states Robert Greenfield, Acromag’s Business Development Manager.

The NT2000 Series offers a broad variety of I/O signal processing options. Nine I/O configurations are available as either NTE Ethernet I/O or NTX expansion I/O models. Analog I/O models feature eight differential or sixteen single-ended inputs for monitoring current or voltage signals. Discrete I/O models provide 16 tandem input/output channels with either active high/low input and sinking/sourcing output. A six-channel mechanical relay output model is also available. For temperature monitoring, a thermocouple input model supports many sensor types and also millivolt ranges. More models will release over the coming months for additional I/O functions.

Profinet communication is planned for release soon. Each module will support all three protocols which are selectable using any web browser to configure the network settings and I/O operation. The modules typically function as a network slave, but also offer Acromag’s i2o® peer-to-peer communication technology to transfer data between modules directly without a host or master in between. Multicast capability is included.

Acromag, a mid-sized international corporation, has been developing and manufacturing measurement and control products for more than 60 years. They offer a complete line of industrial I/O products including process instruments, signal conditioning equipment, data acquisition boards, distributed I/O systems, and communication devices.

@Acromag #Pauto #Communications

Urgent/11 free - reassurance!

The recent announcement of security vulnerabilities discovered in the Wind River® VxWorks® IPnet TCP/IP stack has prompted questions from Opto 22 customers about what impact this discovery may have on TCP/IP-based products developed and manufactured by Opto 22.

(Armis logo for Urgent/11)

"Opto 22 would like to reassure our customers that, after careful and thorough review, we can state that none of our hardware or software products contain the VxWorks IPnet TCP/IP stack or variants of that software and are, therefore, not directly exposed to any attacks that might target these vulnerabilities. This statement applies to the recent Opto 22 product family groov EPIC® (edge programmable industrial controller), the groov® Edge Appliance (groov Box), the SNAP PAC® System, and SNAP Ethernet I/O® products."

These security vulnerabilities, dubbed URGENT/11 by Armis, an enterprise IoT security firm that made the discoveries, have far-reaching implications and affect an extremely large array of industrial, medical, and enterprise environments. These include mission-critical systems such as SCADA, industrial controllers, PLCs, PACs, and more. Other systems outside traditional industrial devices like patient monitors and MRI machines, as well as firewalls, routers, modems, VOIP phones, and printers are also affected.

Specific information about the eleven CVEs (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures) related to the URGENT/11 discovery may be found on Wind River’s webpage.

Due to the fundamental design of industrial controllers and how they connect to a wide range of devices, some may confuse firmware vulnerabilities such as URGENT/11 with better known viruses and malicious software we frequently hear about. It is important to understand that only
the devices that have embedded the affected IPnet TCP/IP stack are subject to attacks that target this vulnerability.

Opto 22 cannot respond to or address the possible risks or exposures created by hardware and software products manufactured by other companies. It’s important to carefully review the information provided by manufacturers of the hardware and software that run your applications and networks, making sure that they clearly indicate the specific model numbers or product names affected by this vulnerability.

Customers should be aware that some companies might use Opto 22 language or terms (for example, “EPIC controller”) to describe their products. These are general descriptions and have absolutely no connection to the Opto 22 groov EPIC® controller, a product name that is a registered trademark owned by Opto 22 and protected under the USPTO trademark laws of the United States. Be sure to check specific model numbers and product names, not just general descriptions, in order to minimize confusion.

For a list of affected companies and links to published advisories and their products, a visit to the URGENT/11 webpage on the Armis website for more information.

@opto22 #PAuto #Cybersecurity @WindRiver @ArmisSecurity