June 2, 2015 - A license for Phoenix Contact’s FL mGuard security devices can protect OPC Classic applications. While traditional firewalls do not offer protection for this protocol, users of mGuard firmware version 8.1 and beyond can now upgrade to the OPC inspector license.
The OPC inspector firmware looks into the transmitted data packets, analyzing and modifying them as necessary. The OPC inspector dynamically creates firewall rules matching the ports and directions used by OPC traffic. It identifies and blocks all non-OPC traffic. It also permits the use of network address translation (NAT) procedures, such as masquerading or 1:1 NAT routing.
The OPC Classic communication protocol is widely used in the automation industry. Instead of using fixed TCP port numbers, OPC Classic negotiates new port numbers within the first open connection. This means that intermediary firewalls can only be used with wide-open rules, greatly reducing the security and protection they provide. The mGuard OPC Inspector license counters this problem by using a deep-packet inspection for OPC Classic.
About Phoenix Contact
Phoenix Contact develops and manufactures industrial electrical and electronic technology products that power, protect, connect and automate systems, and equipment for a wide range of industries. Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG, Blomberg, Germany, operates 50 international subsidiaries, including Phoenix Contact USA in Middletown, Pa.