It is increasingly common to use the public Internet to ensure communication between S500 and S4 telemetry units, the central control station, or the S4 ecosystem. While the Internet offers several advantages (lower cost, constant connectivity, simplicity, etc.), it also introduces risks related to cyber-attacks.
Creating a VPN network to secure communications over the public Internet
The security of SOFREL devices, as well as data exchanges between devices (interstation) or with the central station, are fully integrated into the SOFREL ecosystem. The SG4000 server is now the cornerstone of cybersecurity for SOFREL telemetry networks.
The application is installed on a Central Station server and is very user‑friendly, allowing the quick and effective creation of a VPN network over the Internet.
This approach optimizes communication and overall system operating costs. The virtual private network (VPN) ensures the security of data exchanges between remote SOFREL stations and the central control station, which hosts the client’s network and management functionalities and ensures all IP communication routing.
Interface with the SCADA station
To optimize operation and communications, the SG4000 server limits direct contacts between remote units and the central station:
Operational Functions:
- Polling of remote stations by a LACBUS Central Station
- Transmission of alarms from remote stations to the Central Station
- Configuration via PC using S4-Tools
- Operation of a remote station from a local PC with S4-View
- Updating stations’ user access and configurations, centralizing ID changes via S4-Manager
- Notifications from remote stations to the Syslog monitoring system
Additional Functions:
- DNS address resolution by the server
- Sending emails from remote stations to a mail server