US 11,768,479 B2 · System and method for secure connections in a high availability industrial controller

Abstract

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.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method for secure connections in a high availability industrial controller, the method comprising the steps of:

establishing a first secure connection over an industrial network between a primary controller and at least one input device, wherein connection data defines the first secure connection;
transmitting the connection data from the primary controller to a secondary controller via a communication connection between the primary and secondary controllers;
receiving a plurality of input signals from the at least one input device at the primary controller via the first secure connection when the primary controller is executing without a fault condition;
transmitting the plurality of input signals from the primary controller to the secondary controller;
detecting the fault condition in the primary controller;
and
transferring the first secure connection from the primary controller to the secondary controller when the fault condition is detected and receiving the plurality of input signals from the at least one input device at the secondary controller via the first secure connection when the primary controller has the fault condition.

4 more elements

A system for secure connections in a high availability industrial controller for a controlled machine or process, the system comprising:

at least one input device configured to receive a plurality of input signals from devices on the controlled machine or process;
a first industrial automation controller configured to establish a first secure connection between the first industrial automation controller and the at least one input device over an industrial network, wherein connection data defines the first secure connection;
and
a second industrial automation controller in communication with the first industrial automation controller, wherein the second industrial automation controller is configured to receive the connection data from the first industrial automation controller after the first industrial automation controller establishes the first secure connection, and wherein:
the first industrial automation controller is further configured to:
receive the plurality of input signals from the at least one input device via the first secure connection, and
transmit the plurality of input signals to the second industrial controller;
and
the second industrial automation controller is further configured to transfer the first secure connection from the first controller to the second controller when a fault condition is detected in the first controller.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

System and method for secure connections in a high availability industrial controller

Life of this patent

System and method for secure connections in a high availability industrial controller

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20