SCADA Network

So welcome to my blog. In this post I am gonna write about SCADA network. This actually come to my mind because of web show named Mr. Robot. The show is awesome if you love hacking believe me you will enjoy the series. So basically the SCADA ( Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition ) is a control system architecture comprising computers, networked data communications and graphical user interface for high level process supervisory management, while also comprising other peripheral devices like programmable logic controllers and discrete proportional-integral-derivative controllers to interface with process plant or machinery. SCADA networks used for monitoring and controlling the  industry like  telecommunication, water plant, etc. It is one of the most commonly used industrial control system, in spite of concerns about SCADA system being vulnerable to cyberattack. 

This network is used for gathering info about the system, transferring that info to central site, alerting the home station or carry out necessary analysis and control. There is system components of SCADA:-

• Supervisory Computers

This elements gather data and send control commands to field connected devices. It refers to a high level of overall monitoring of individuals process controllers, which is not necessary for the operation of each controller, but gives the operator an overall plant process view. This take one of two form. In one, the process continue autonomously. In the next, it take instruction , carries it autonomously, reports the result and wait for another command. 

• Remote Terminal Unit

Remote Control Unit is a microprocessor control electronic device that interface object in physical world. An RTU monitor the digital and analog parameters and transmit data to SCADA master station. It run setup software to connects data input stream and data output streams, define communications protocol, and troubleshoot installation in the fields. 

• Programmable Logic controller

A PLC or program controller is a industrial digital computer which is ruggedized and adapted to control manufacturing process, such as assembly line, or robotic devices or any activities require high reliability, ease of programming and process fault diagnosis. PLCs can range from small modular devices with ten of Inputs and Outputs. 

• Communications Infrastructure

This connects supervisory computers to RTUs and PLCs, and may use industry standard or manufacturer proprietary protocols. Both RTUs and PLCs work autonomously on the near real time control of the process, using the last command given from the supervisory system. 

• Human - machine interface

The HMI is a operator windows of supervisory system. It presents plant information in the personnel graphical form. HMI is connected to supervisory to give live presentation of data.