Device and method for connecting a production device to a network

A method for connecting a production apparatus having a network interface with a network, the production apparatus being a data-processing production apparatus and/or a data-generating production apparatus, the method comprising:

• providing a connection apparatus, wherein the connection apparatus includes
• a memory,
• a processor with the memory, wherein the processor is configured to access the memory for reading and writing,
• a first network interface configured to be connected with the network,
• a second network interface configured to be connected with the production apparatus,
• a computer program code stored in the memory for execution by the processor,
• wherein the computer program code comprises instructions
• upon whose execution data packets received at the second network interface via a second protocol are forwarded to the first network interface and are sent via a first protocol into the network, and/or
• upon whose execution data packets received at the first network interface via a first protocol are forwarded to the second network interface and are sent via a second protocol to the production apparatus, and
• wherein the computer program code further comprises instructions upon whose execution the processor applies a packet filter to the data packets, wherein the packet filter is applied by the processor on the way of the data packets between the first network interface and the second network interface;
• and
• connecting the network interface of the production apparatus with the second network interface of the connection apparatus,
• wherein the production apparatus is not visible from the network,
• wherein the production apparatus comprises at least one housing and the signal connection between the connection apparatus and the production apparatus extends completely within the housing and in which the connection apparatus is disposed in the housing,
• wherein the housing is constituted such that it prevents an unauthorized access at least to the ports of the network interfaces due to a locking element of the production apparatus which can be secured by a lock or by the production apparatus reacting to inputs of an authorized user, and
• wherein the program code stored in the connection apparatus includes instructions and configuration data, so that upon the execution of the instructions a setting up of a connection from the production apparatus to a specified internal IP address of the connection apparatus is recognized and the internal IP address is replaced by at least one IP address in the network, which at least one IP address is included in the configuration data of the connection apparatus.

A system comprising:

• a production apparatus having a network interface, the production apparatus being a data-processing production apparatus and/or a data-generating production apparatus;
• and
• a connection apparatus connected to the production apparatus,
• wherein the connection apparatus is configured to connect the production apparatus with a network,
• wherein the connection apparatus includes:
• a memory,
• a processor with the memory, wherein the processor is configured to access the memory for reading and writing,
• a first network interface configured to be connected with the network,
• a second network interface configured to be connected with the production apparatus,
• a computer program code stored in the memory for execution by the processor,
• wherein the computer program code comprises instructions
• upon whose execution data packets received at the second network interface via a second protocol are forwarded to the first network interface and are sent via a first protocol into the network, and/or
• upon whose execution data packets received at the first network interface via a first protocol are forwarded to the second network interface and are sent via a second protocol to the production apparatus, and
• wherein the computer program code further comprises instructions upon whose execution the processor applies a packet filter to the data packets,
• wherein the packet filter is applied by the processor on the way of the data packets between the first network interface and the second network interface, and
• wherein the production apparatus comprises at least one housing and the signal connection between the connection apparatus and the production apparatus extends completely within the housing and in which the connection apparatus is disposed in the housing,
• wherein the housing is constituted such that it prevents an unauthorized access at least to the ports of the network interfaces due to a locking element of the production apparatus which can be secured by a lock or by the production apparatus reacting to inputs of an authorized user, and
• wherein the program code stored in the connection apparatus includes instructions and configuration data, so that upon the execution of the instructions a setting up of a connection from the production apparatus to a specified internal IP address of the connection apparatus is recognized and the internal IP address is replaced by at least one IP address in the network, which at least one IP address is included in the configuration data of the connection apparatus.