Methods and apparatus to virtualize a process control system are described. A described process control system includes a server cluster including one or more servers. When operating, the server cluster provides a virtual workstation or virtual server, a virtual controller to interoperate with the virtual workstation or server and to implement process control operations, and a virtual input/output device to interoperate with the virtual controller and coupled to one or more field devices within the process control system.

A system includes a first module configured to collect automation plant-related data that include at least operating data, and to generate based on the operating data manipulation-proof usage data which are then transmitted to a second module configured to determine at least a part of the manipulation-proof usage data, to form a checksum from the at least one part of the manipulation-proof usage data, to transfer the checksum to at least one node of a distributed ledger network, and to store the manipulation-proof usage data in an area outside the distributed ledger network. A third module participates in the distributed ledger network and is configured to obtain the manipulation-proof usage data from the area and to check the correctness of the manipulation-proof usage data by forming a checksum.

A first gateway device for connecting an OPC UA client to a data-driven controller and/or control system includes a first interface implementing an OPC UA server and is configured to receive, from the OPC UA client, at least one call to invoke an OPC UA method on an OPC UA object, and a second interface that sends a request to write at least one value to at least one control variable of the data-driven controller and/or control system, and first translation logic therebetween. A second gateway device connects a data-driven controller and/or control system to a controlled device or subsystem of an industrial plant and includes a third interface that receives a value of a control variable, and a fourth interface that sends a call to invoke an OPC UA method on an OPC UA object, and second translation logic therebetween.

A Multi-Purpose Dynamic Simulation and run-time Control platform includes a virtual process environment coupled to a physical process environment, where components/nodes of the virtual and physical process environments cooperate to dynamically perform run-time process control of an industrial process plant and/or simulations thereof. Virtual components may include virtual run-time nodes and/or simulated nodes. The MPDSC includes an I/O Switch which delivers I/O data between virtual and/or physical nodes, e.g., by using publish/subscribe mechanisms, thereby virtualizing physical I/O process data delivery. Nodes serviced by the I/O Switch may include respective component behavior modules that are unaware as to whether or not they are being utilized on a virtual or physical node. Simulations may be performed in real-time and even in conjunction with run-time operations of the plant, and/or simulations may be manipulated as desired (speed, values, administration, etc.). The platform simultaneously supports simulation and run-time operations and interactions/intersections therebetween.

Secure data transmission between an input device and both industrial controllers in a high-availability system utilizes a secure connection established between the primary industrial controller and the input device. Data required to establish the secure connection is stored on the primary controller as part of the connection data corresponding to the secure connection. The input device transmits data to the primary controller over the secure connection according to the desired level of security. The primary controller transmits the connection data defining the secure connection to the secondary controller. If a failure occurs in the primary controller, the secondary controller establishes a connection to the input device using the connection data for the secure connection, such that the secondary controller may assume responsibility for the controller end of the secure connection. The primary controller transmits the input signals to the secondary controller via the dedicated connection between controllers.

A modular I/O system for an industrial automation network includes a network adapter including first and second adapter modules, wherein each adapter module is configured for connection with an industrial network. The I/O system further includes a first I/O device with first and second I/O modules each configured for operative connection to a controlled system for input/output of data with respect to the controlled system. The I/O system further includes first and second independent backplane data networks that connect each of the first and second adapter modules to each of the first and second I/O modules. The network adapter includes first and second removable backplane network switches and the first I/O device includes third and fourth removable backplane network switches that establish the backplane networks. The backplane network switches can be Ethernet gigabit switches.

The present application discloses a method of handling a transaction request, including: performing an information exchange between a manufacturing execution system and a machine control system by an agent module; the information exchange including: sending a first transaction request by the machine control system to the agent module, and then sending the first transaction request by the agent module to the manufacturing execution system.

A communication system comprising a first industrial machine and a second industrial machine, which are configured to communicate with each other, wherein the first industrial machine is configured to transmit a copy instruction to the second industrial machine, and wherein the second industrial machine is configured to: update data in a first storage area based on its own operation; copy the data in the first storage area to a second storage area when the copy instruction is received; and transmit the data in the second storage area to the first industrial machine.

A Multi-Purpose Dynamic Simulation and run-time Control platform includes a virtual process environment coupled to a physical process environment, where components/nodes of the virtual and physical process environments cooperate to dynamically perform run-time process control of an industrial process plant and/or simulations thereof. Virtual components may include virtual run-time nodes and/or simulated nodes. The MPDSC includes an I/O Switch which delivers I/O data between virtual and/or physical nodes, e.g., by using publish/subscribe mechanisms, thereby virtualizing physical I/O process data delivery. Nodes serviced by the I/O Switch may include respective component behavior modules that are unaware as to whether or not they are being utilized on a virtual or physical node. Simulations may be performed in real-time and even in conjunction with run-time operations of the plant, and/or simulations may be manipulated as desired (speed, values, administration, etc.). The platform simultaneously supports simulation and run-time operations and interactions/intersections therebetween.

A system for performing industrial automation control may include a first device that generates a first set of data formatted according to a first protocol and a second device that generates an automation command. The automation command may control the first device based on the first set of data. The second device may interpret data formatted according to a second protocol. The system may include a broker system coupled between the first device and the second device to transform data communicated between the devices, such as the first set of data, the automation command, or both. For example, the broker system may transmit a set of data generated to communicate the first set of data to the second device formatted according to the second protocol as opposed to being formatting according to the first protocol.