Rockwell launches network operations and maintenance software
Rockwell Automation has released new software designed to simplify network operations and maintenance and give centralised visibility into networked assets.
The new FactoryTalk Network Manager software is designed for monitoring and maintaining a growing number of IoT devices on networks.
It allows monitoring of Allen-Bradley Stratix managed switches, troubleshooting switch issues and configuration of new managed switches from one software interface.
“Many plant-floor personnel struggle to piece together information about managed switches and devices from different sources,” said Lorenzo Majewski, product manager, Rockwell Automation.
“With the FactoryTalk Network Manager software, they can access this information in one collective spot. In addition, real-time alarms and events from network switches can help them conduct faster, more precise troubleshooting.”
The software automatically discovers assets, their associated IP addresses, and creates a topology of these connected devices. The software’s interface offers grouping of equipment along with dashboard information, so users can organise devices into specific areas or analyse them individually, says the company.
The software also uses user-created configuration templates to get new switches up and running faster and more efficiently. These templates can be shared across an organization, or with OEMs and system integrators to further ease network deployments, commissions and maintenance efforts, says the company.
The software provides role-based access control with auditing capabilities to help track user-specific activities and changes. The software supports multiple protocols, including Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), Common Industrial Protocol (CIP), Modbus, BACnet and PROFINET.
Access to the web-based platform is available via a personal computer in a control room or a mobile device on the plant floor.
As part of the Integrated Architecture system from Rockwell Automation, the software provides seamless integration with the Stratix family of industrial network switches.