According to one or more embodiments of the disclosure, a device in a network identifies a packet sent via the network towards an endpoint as being a control packet for the endpoint. The device extracts one or more control parameter values from the control packet. The device compares the one or more control parameter values to a policy associated with the endpoint. The device initiates a corrective measure, based on a determination that the one or more control parameter values violate the policy associated with the endpoint.

An automation system employing multiple automated devices can establish and utilize two-way communication independent of a network controller by generating a unique network address with respective local circuitry. The local circuitry can be incorporated into a device or physically installed on-site in the form of an attachment, which allows automated devices to be upgraded and supplemented without altering the programming of a network controller.

An automation system employing multiple automated devices can establish and utilize two-way communication independent of a network controller by generating a unique network address with respective local circuitry. The local circuitry can be incorporated into a device or physically installed on-site in the form of an attachment, which allows automated devices to be upgraded and supplemented without altering the programming of a network controller.

Third party developed control logic for automation controllers is provided to customers using a communication network. At least one tool is provided for a third party to develop control logic for an automation controller. The automation controller is remotely located from the communication network. A hardware platform on which to operate the control logic is selected. Once built, the control logic is linked to at least one operational characteristic of the hardware platform such that the control logic is operable to perform at least one predetermined function of the automation controller using the hardware platform.

A dynamic environment (e.g., an automated industrial process) has multiple conditions in response to which corresponding actions are required, and comprises various equipment, control device(s) to control the equipment, and one or more sensors to generate input signal(s) representing a monitored condition of the environment. A control system for the environment comprises a master processor and one or more co-processors, wherein the master processor configures a given co-processor to evaluate only a first subset of conditions expected to occur in the environment within a specified time period (e.g., less than a response time of the master processor), and to provide first control information representing an action to be taken if a particular condition of the first subset is satisfied. The co-processor receives the input signal(s) representing the monitored condition, processes the input signal(s) so as to determine if the particular condition of the first subset is satisfied, and provides the first control information to the control devices so as to control the equipment. Exemplary applications include dynamic environments in which machine vision techniques and/or equipment are employed.

Exemplified herein is a graphical user interface for an industrial automation system that provides, in a single aggregated and eloquent view, a configuration workspace to discover and present configuration details of control components within an industrial automation system. These components may include industrial controllers, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems, programmable automation controllers (PACs), and the like, which have modules (as well as submodules) connected thereto. Among other things, the configuration workspace enables a holistic view of identified hardware configuration and the modular reconciliation and troubleshoot of the network device and module configurations.

Exemplified herein is a graphical user interface for an industrial automation system that provides, in a single aggregated and eloquent view, a configuration workspace to discover and present configuration details of control components within an industrial automation system. These components may include industrial controllers, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems, programmable automation controllers (PACs), and the like, which have modules (as well as submodules) connected thereto. Among other things, the configuration workspace enables a holistic view of identified hardware configuration and the modular reconciliation and troubleshoot of the network device and module configurations.

A programmable discrete input module is described. In one or more implementations, the programmable discrete input module comprises a pulse width modulation module configured to generate a pulse width modulated signal based upon an input signal and a pulse width demodulation module configured to generate a demodulated pulse width signal. An isolator is configured to isolate the pulse width modulation module and the pulse width demodulation module and to generate isolated modulated pulse width signal based upon the pulse width modulated signal for the pulse width demodulation module to generate the demodulated pulse width signal. The programmable discrete input module also includes a first comparator and a second comparator for comparing the demodulated pulse width signal with a respective programmable reference and a digital filter configured to filter a comparison signal output by the first comparator or the second comparator to generate a discrete input signal.

An electrical power supply system for a programmable logic controller, including: a first electrical power supply module configured to operate in a master mode to deliver at least one electrical supply voltage to the programmable logic controller; a second electrical power supply module configured to operate in a slave mode to deliver the electrical supply voltage to the programmable logic controller in event of failure of the first electrical power supply module; a control module configured to temporarily control switching of the first electrical power supply module to the slave mode and switching of the second electrical power supply module to the master mode; and a test module configured to test the second electrical power supply module when the second electrical power supply module is switched to the master mode.

A system for virtual patching of security vulnerabilities in an industrial production environment includes an industrial automation device (e.g., a PLC). The industrial automation device comprises an instance of a distributed database spanning a plurality of industrial automation devices and storing one or more virtual patches and an app container comprising a virtual patching engine security application. The app container is configured to collect system information generated by the industrial automation device during operation, and apply the one or more virtual patches to the system information to identify one or more security attacks.