Virtual Control
The new Virtual PLCnext Control portfolio offers an innovative solution for industrial automation. It abstracts control tasks from physical devices and executes them on high-performance computers, increasing flexibility, scalability, and cost efficiency. As a software code package in an OCI container, it enables seamless integration, combines OT and IT security, and optimizes costs by consolidating multiple PLC instances.
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Efficient and flexible control solutions with Virtual PLCnext Control
Virtual controls are playing an increasingly important role in modern industrial automation. This technology enables you to abstract control tasks from physical devices and execute them on high-performance computer architectures, providing flexibility, scalability, and cost efficiency. The Virtual PLCnext Control is a software code package in the form of an OCI container, which provides a familiar environment with functions as well as operating and programming options that will also be known to you from hardware-based PLCnext Control.
This technology allows resources such as CPU cores and RAM to be scaled dynamically while providing seamless IT/OT convergence and a robust combination of OT and IT security. Easy maintenance and the ability to easily move applications between different hardware platforms make Virtual PLCnext Control a cost-effective and flexible solution for modern control tasks.
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Cost efficiency: By using multiple virtual controls on a single hardware platform, procurement costs can be reduced and new controllers can be implemented quickly and without additional hardware costs.
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Flexibility and scalability: The controllers can be easily adapted and extended to meet new requirements. Resources such as CPU cores, RAM, and network interfaces are scalable. Applications can be seamlessly moved from one hardware to another thanks to container technology.
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Ease of maintenance: Maintenance and updates can be carried out easily using proven IT administration mechanisms. The use of containers simplifies management and deployment.
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Cybersecurity: The combination of IT and OT security measures provides comprehensive protection and the isolated operation of the virtual controls in the container minimizes the risk of security vulnerabilities.
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Energy efficiency: By consolidating hardware, energy consumption can be reduced, therefore offering a sustainable solution.
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Future-proofing: The high degree of adaptability and expansion capability of the Virtual PLCnext Control ensures that you are equipped for future developments and technologies.
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IT/OT convergence: The seamless integration of IT and OT enables more efficient networking and control of data and processes.
Container-based virtual PLC
Thanks to container technology and the resulting increasing hardware independence, Virtual PLCnext Control can benefit directly from the interfaces, functions, and performance of the target hardware. For example, connection to the system network via Wi-Fi and deep learning by using the target hardware performance are possible. Furthermore, Virtual PLCnext Control provides familiar functions from the existing hardware, such as the firewall, the certificate server, fieldbus connections, and even database functions. OPC UA and PROFINET can be used to communicate with the SCADA and control system as well as with the I/O fieldbus level.
Product overview
We will be able to offer you the following licenses in the future. Find the right solution for your application.
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Virtual PLCnext Control
1000 |
Virtual PLCnext Control
2000 |
Virtual PLCnext Control
3000 |
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|---|---|---|---|
| ESM | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| Tasks / ESM | 4 | 8 | 16 |
| Number of ARs | 16 | 64 | 128 |
| Cycle time | 1 ms | 1 ms | 32 |
| Program memory | 4 MB | 8 MB | 12 MB |
| Data storage system | 6 MB | 12 MB | 32 MB |
| Modbus/TCP server | 8 | 16 | 32 |
| PROFINET controller / device | |||
| High-level language programming (C# / C++ / Matlab / ...) | |||
| App manager | |||
| Alarming and retaining |
Areas of application
Virtual PLCnext Control offers versatile solutions for various areas of application in industrial automation. Our technology helps companies to optimize their processes, reduce costs, and increase efficiency. In the following, we show three main areas of application and illustrate how Virtual PLCnext Control can meet your automation requirements.
Edge computing
Edge computing with Virtual PLCnext Control optimizes the entire value chain by reducing latency compared to conventional cloud solutions and enabling the implementation of Industry 4.0 and IoT concepts. This technology is ideal for protocol conversion, data acquisition, and cloud computing. Real-time data processing directly at the source significantly improves efficiency.
What do you get out of it?
- Real-time data processing on site: processing data directly on site reduces latency and significantly improves efficiency.
- Improved reliability: real-time monitoring and analysis increase reliability and enable faster response times.
- Support for Industry 4.0 and IoT: edge computing makes it easier to integrate modern technologies such as Industry 4.0 and IoT.
Example:
A wind farm that uses Virtual PLCnext Control can significantly increase the efficiency and reliability of its systems. Real-time monitoring and analysis of the operating data on site enables proactive planning of maintenance work, thereby minimizing downtime. This results in optimized energy production and improved overall performance of the wind farm.
Device manufacturers
Virtual PLCnext Control provides device manufacturers with a flexible and efficient solution for modern automation requirements. Real-time automation tasks are performed without the need for special control hardware, resulting in cost efficiency. The seamless integration of industrial standard protocols and fieldbus systems, as well as increased flexibility, enable manufacturers to easily adapt to different project requirements.
What do you get out of it?
- Cost efficiency: eliminating dedicated control hardware significantly reduces hardware costs.
- Seamless integration: support for industrial protocols and fieldbus systems enables easy integration into existing systems.
- Increased flexibility: the solution is flexible and can be adapted to various project requirements, which reduces system complexity.
Example:
An OEM that uses Virtual PLCnext Control can reduce production costs and increase flexibility. The control functions are integrated directly into the existing hardware, which reduces system complexity and increases efficiency.
Data centers, telecommunications and IT
Virtual PLCnext Control provides data centers with an efficient solution for control functions. This can be used on various platforms, including servers within data centers, enabling easy scaling and customization. This technology simplifies real-time data processing and analysis, improves operational efficiency, and reduces downtime.
What do you get out of it?
- Reduced hardware costs: using virtual controllers reduces the demand for physical hardware, thereby reducing costs.
- Easy scalability: virtual controllers enable easy scaling by adding or removing virtual machines.
- Reduced maintenance time and downtime: virtual controllers are easier to maintain and can be quickly restarted or replaced if necessary, thereby reducing downtime.
Example:
A data center that uses Virtual PLCnext Control can improve operational efficiency and reduce downtime. The control functions are implemented on servers within the data center, which enables fast recovery and maintenance.