Online CHP plant maintenance with VPN router
Mannheim, 14. April 2014
Online access to plant control systems of cogeneration or combined heat and power plants (CHP) via the Internet is a piece of cake these days. To gain access, MWM deploys the latest in VPN channels. It is more economical for the customer than access via modem and enables secure access to the plant wherever an Internet connection is available. Alternatively the VPN can even establish its own mobile wireless data connection.
Online CHP plant control systems
CHP plant control systems via secure access
The analog modem or (static) IP modem for remote maintenance via the internet will be replaced by an on-site VPN router (Remote Plant Gateway – RPG). The advantage over remote access to plant control systems via modem: The VPN router for the customer’s CHP plant autonomously establishes an outside connection, i.e. only outgoing connections via standard ports are utilized. There are no incoming connections into the customer/plant network for remote maintenance. Equipped with an additional wireless antenna and a SIM card, the VPN router is even capable of creating a mobile data link.
Here is how it works: The VPN router installed in the customer’s plant autonomously connects to the MWM Rendezvous Server (RVS). The RVS is located in the MWM data center in Mannheim and is the “meeting point” in the internet. The customer can link up to the RVS from a PC, laptop, etc. Once logged on to the RVS, the customer is provided an overview of his systems that are available for connection over the internet. He can establish a secure connection to the system(s) and remotely operate the TEM (Total Electronic Management) as engine/genset control systems. In order to view the plant control systems on the customer’s computer/laptop, the J-View software application is required.
Advantages of plant control systems via internet
This type of remote maintenance offers MWM customers several advantages. For example, the VPN remote maintenance can be simply integrated into existing company networks – even for existing systems, maintenance access per Remote Plant Gateway (RPG) can be easily retrofitted. Wherever an internet connection is available, secure access to the system is possible via VPN – even worldwide. What’s more, the system consisting of the VPN router and RVS always operates according to the latest security guidelines. The access offers dual safeguards through a password log-in and a USB e-token, a type of electronic key. The customer can link up to the MWM RVS from a PC or a laptop computer, and work is underway to allow access via mobile end-user devices. Via the RVS, the customer establishes a VPN connection to the system and can remotely operate the control software with the help of the J-View application.
Security
In order to ensure the highest level of security for remote access to CHP plants, the connection to MWM’s Rendezvous Server requires two levels of authentication with a user name and password, along with a USB e-token from MWM. The token, a form of electronic key, contains a user certificate, which is valid for a particular period of time.
Roll-Out
The start of the new remote access to plant control systems is planned for the near future and will then be available to clients. Please contact your sales manager. You may also contact our sales team under: sales@mwm.net.
For technical details please contact our product management under: productmanagement@mwm.net.
