I am an OEM that has field techs that only use Allen Bradley equipment every once in a blue moon. Is there a way my field guys can use a hotspot to their computer and I can route through their computer to modify/control an AB PLC?
The connection looks like this:
My computer with RSLogix500 or Studio5000 —vpn–> Remote computer connected to wifi hotspot --NIC–> AB PLC
I have tried Teamviewer VPN very unsuccessfully. Does any one have experience that I can gleam?
Thanks in advanced.
A couple ways to do this.
1 - Can you install the software on their laptops / a vm on their laptop, then you use Teamviewer to control their PC?
2 - Have the tech bring an eWon or Phoenix Contact mGuard unit with them. Wire it up and let you connect that way.
3 - Bridge the wifi network and the wired network, and you might be able to use the vpn server on the laptop, connect to the vpn then have the traffic go out the wired nic to the PLC. I’ve done something like that before. VPN on a PC on internet nic, bridged the nics so I could then go out the wired port and connect to the PLCs.
- https://helpdeskgeek.com/how-to/bridge-network-connections-in-windows-7-8-10/
1 - would remove lag between the plc and the software.
2/3 will be laggy since the plc traffic is going over the network.
I’m one of the “field guys” you speak of. Our techs do exactly what you’re trying to do. I setup a wifi hotspot on my phone and they connect via teamviewer VPN. I don’t know what they do on their end so I may not be a lot of help here, but at least you know that it can most certainly be done.
Hey, I work for a distributor out of Upstate New York and I have heard this from a lot of my customers. I have had the most success and consistency using a Remote Connection technology that’s specifically made for Industrial Automation. It’s called Secomea, which stands for Secure Communications Made Easy. They have an embedded version of the software that you can install on the remote computer and then access it from anywhere in the world. There are three parts to the system — The Link Manager – The Gate Manager – The Site Manager. The site manager is where the remote device is, the link manager is going to live on your computer and the gate manager is what manages the connection. Instead of using VPN technology it is more like a proxy technology where the connection is bounced around to a bunch of different servers so there is no way to trace it, it’s extremely secure. Like any professional solution however it does cost money but it is the only one out there that has no recurring fees. Every other service you find will eventually get to a level where they require a recurring fee. Anyways this is one option that is bulletproof that you can get setup for a couple hundred bucks, and the support is hands down the best I’ve seen. Good luck to you and if you want to know more or want help getting started reach out to me in the comments
Take a look at Tosibox
I do this everyday since our equipment is all over the US. Follow videos but the only thing not mentioned is make the AB PLC Processor’s gateway IP address the static IP address of the remote PC’s IP address you VPN into for it to work properly. This allows me to only need RS studio 5000 and the rockwell activation on my PC and not the remote PC to make PLC changes at my desk in a different state.
If cost is not an issue… look into a TosiBox and Key. They work every time for me, no PC required @ PLC. Cellphone + Travel Router (as Wireless Client pre-configured for Cellphone hotspot). Plug and play at that point. I have programmed AB micro 800 series and HMI’s with Connected Component Workshop fro across the country.
I was never able to get any of the teamviewer VPN stuff working. It’s like they intentionally don’t allow bridging of adapters or proper network tunneling. It’s probably part of some corporate version or something.
I would recommend looking into an ewon flexy 205 with a cellular module ( http://ewon.biz ). I use usmobile.com for my service as it’s contract free and you can cancel through the website. If you need more help, you can call them up.
Also just saw your comment on Ewon, the site manager embedded for Secomea is under $500 and once you have a license you could even get a device up and running for $125
You have to install the software on the computer you are trying to remote access.
Also I usually just use “Remote Desktop Connection” because it was made by microsoft for Microsoft operating systems and works on PCs as old as windows 2000.
The way we do it is we have a VMs on a plant server and all software for Allen bradley is on those VMs. Also all PLCs are on the same network as the Server.
The plant network is separate from the office network, so to program PLCs from my office, I always have to access the VMs on the server. I also have a laptop, but that’s usually only for getting something started which doesn’t happen often, most days it’s just maintaining or fixing a problem. which I do from my office.
With IT’s permission I can practically access the plant network from anywhere in the world. from practically any device (including my Samsung galaxy).
Here is a doc for a Siemens Step 7 PLC with Teamviewer VPN but it works with a AB PLC as well. As a FYI, if you use a hotspot internet connection on the remote PC and not going through a router for remote connecting to the remote PC’s network, make the AB PLC gateway’s IP address the IP address of the remote PC and not the router’s Ip address since is doesn’t exist with a hotspot being used instead.
Also make sure the service “Routing and Remote Access” is turned on in windows on the remote PC as well. Also the " Add a route" portion has to be done again on your programming PC every time you reboot your programming PC.
Obviously skip page 9 if your using the AB PLC and not a Siemens Setp7 PLC and just use rslinx to establish the connection like in the below videos I link in my other post.
Im sure its some setting that I am missing. After I get that figured out, it will be easy.
Seconded. B&R private-labels Secomea Site/Link/Gate Managers to serve as their remote connectivity suite, and I’ve configured a handful of systems. As convoluted as this type of hardware can get, the Secomea solution is pretty simple to set up, cost effective, and most importantly, secure.
What can you tell me about this? It seems like something that we could use. Does it do that sort of funneling that I’m referring to?
Yeah, I have 3 ewons and they are great but currently in use full time on site. Sounds like I will have to buy 3 more.
Not true, I use teamviewer everyday for remotely connecting to AB PLCs directly. It works but its not very intuitive to set up.
That’s the same document I rely on !
My company uses TeamViewer extensively for remote support of our customers. It works both to get my local RSLogix 5000 session online, and for me to work on their desktop.
I know it’s expensive. I know the expenses are recurring. I pay them with a grin.
I also use a USB redirector from Ultima Software to allow me to connect my local USB dongle from Indusoft to the remote computer. I always install the full Indusoft Web Studtio on my HMI computers but only activate the runtime for ordinary use. The FlexiHub product from Eltima lets me just keep my high-tag-count Engineering dongle at the office and use it to work on dozens of HMIs.
The most common mistake I’ve made is failing to set up the various automation devices (PLC, drives, servos, etc) with the HMI computer’s local automation LAN address as the Default Gateway.
Yes it does, as long as your tech connects that remote computer to the internet using that hotspot you will be able to connect with the AB PLC. Also here is another tip, I have a lot of customers who have techs that keep hardware site manager in their bag, then they just pull it out when they need it, enter the hotspot settings, and you have a tunnel to the AB PLC. You can reuse the site manager over and over again if you want it’s really helpful
Oh good, you’re familiar.
But yeah, spending nearly a grand every time you need to remote in is a bit much, especially if it’s minor stuff.
Thats great. How did you bridge the connection? Or do you have programming software on the remote PC?