15 min read
SFTPSSHFile transfer
What is SFTP?
Learn how SFTP transfers files over SSH, how port 22 and authentication work and how the protocol differs from FTP and FTPS
Read articleLearn
Industrial automation, explained clearly
Foundations, terminology, and technical context for PLCs, OT/IT integration, and plant software.
Foundations
Articles
13 min read
SCADASupervisory controlAutomation pyramid
What is SCADA?
An introduction to SCADA: architecture and components, the automation pyramid, SCADA vs. PLC and HMI, common software, security, and SCADA's role in Industry 4.0.
Read article22 min read
Industry 4.0IIoTDigital twin
What is Industry 4.0?
Definition, IIoT, industrial AI, digital twins, RAMI 4.0, OT security, challenges, a roadmap, and documented brownfield practice.
Read article14 min read
OPC UAInformation modelOT/IT
What is OPC UA?
An introduction to OPC UA: information model, client-server, Pub/Sub, security, comparison to MQTT and Modbus, and practice with PLCs, SCADA, and Siemens TIA Portal.
Read article12 min read
MQTTPublish/subscribeIIoT
What is MQTT?
An introduction to MQTT: brokers, clients, topics, publish/subscribe, QoS, retained messages, security, and industrial use cases.
Read article15 min read
PLC basicsAutomationIEC 61131-3
What is a PLC?
A plain-language introduction to programmable logic controllers: hardware, scan cycle, programming languages, applications, and vendors.
Read article