IBH Link UA:Description
Overview
The IBH Link UA connects PLCs and industrial devices to OPC UA, IIoT and cloud applications. Depending on the hardware version, it provides an OPC UA server and client, protocol gateways, certificate management, firewall functions and edge services in a compact DIN-rail device.
Configuration and administration
The device is administered through its web interface. PLC variables and address spaces can be configured using:
- the free IBH OPC UA Editor
- Siemens STEP7
- Siemens TIA Portal
Projects and variable definitions are transferred to the IBH Link UA over Ethernet. Symbolic access, data-block structures and variable attributes can be included in the OPC UA address space.
OPC UA server and client
The IBH Link UA can operate as an OPC UA server and client at the same time. As a server it makes PLC and device data available to OPC UA clients such as SCADA, MES and ERP systems. The integrated client can exchange data with external OPC UA servers and connect devices from different manufacturers.
Supported functions include historical data, Alarms & Conditions, custom variables, methods and custom information models.
IIoT, edge and cloud
Depending on the device and configuration, the IBH Link UA supports:
- MQTT publish/subscribe and Sparkplug B
- Python methods and custom data models
- connections to cloud services such as AWS and Microsoft Azure
- Docker on supported quad-core devices
- TeamViewer IoT remote access
Network and firewall
The network interfaces can separate the machine network from the management network. The integrated firewall restricts communication between these levels. Depending on the hardware revision, the device provides four Fast Ethernet ports or two Gigabit Ethernet ports.
Network settings, firewall rules and OPC UA endpoint URLs are configured in the web interface.
Security and certificates
OPC UA security includes user authentication, message signing, encryption and certificate-based trust. The device supports current OPC UA security policies and centralized certificate management through a Global Discovery Service (GDS).
See Security and Certificates for commissioning details.
Operation and monitoring
The web interface provides system status, diagnostics, logs, configuration backup and restore, and firmware administration. The device can also be integrated into a monitoring system through Nagios/NRPE.