White papers discuss virtualisation in manufacturing and IIoT

Posted to News on 23rd May 2016, 09:19

White papers discuss virtualisation in manufacturing and IIoT

Harting has published two new white papers for businesses planning to implement Industry 4.0 methods and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) networks. The first paper, by Dr Karsten Walther and Dr Jan Regtmeir, makes the case for virtualisation using Linux Containers, while the second defines the practical uses of Linux Containers and describes how to implement the technique using Harting's MICA (Modular Industry Computing Architecture).

Gavin Stoppel, Product and Applications Manager at Harting Ltd, comments: "Companies deploying large-scale automation solutions using Industrial Internet of Things networks and distributed control systems need this type of device. Ruggedised computers are a key element in delivery of Industry 4.0. MICA provides both the logical architecture and an industrial-standard, ready-to-use hardware platform. These white papers argue the case for virtualisation in manufacturing and outline Harting's approach to delivering this vision."

Unlike other devices designed to run Linux Containers, Harting's new MICA is a fully configured device, with a range of input and output options, and an industrial-standard, ruggedised case. It also has built-in security and a range of power sources, including Power over Ethernet (PoE), which provides great flexibility in its deployment and implementation.

Benefits of virtualisation include:

Cost savings through virtualisation of servers and computers in production environments
Security of investment through modular upgradability of existing equipment
Time savings through easy integration
Reduced overhead through user-selectable programming language

Sample application areas are: