- June 19, 2013
June 19, 2013 – Software Toolbox released TOP Server Version 5.12 with a Security Policies plug-in for enabling more flexible control of client application access to drivers and data. TOP Server is Software Toolbox’s OPC and native HMI device connectivity software application, offering more than 130 different device drivers and plug-ins.
The Security Policies plug-in increases security for process monitoring and control systems. The free add-on enables granular control over how HMI, SCADA and other data client applications access TOP Server drivers and data for operations such as reading, writing or browsing. The security plug-in also verifies access rights based on user credentials provided by clients using OPC UA connecting to TOP Server, or as blanket permissions for other types of client connections such as OPC DA or Wonderware SuiteLink.
The product release also features two Allen-Bradley Micro800 drivers for serial or Ethernet connectivity, expanded address support for Fisher ROC and more flexible DNP3 timestamp support, as well as enhancements and fixes for many other existing communications drivers. For connectivity to Allen-Bradley Micro800 controllers, TOP Server adds both Micro800 Serial and Micro800 Ethernet drivers to the Allen-Bradley Suite and the Software Toolbox vertical industry Manufacturing Suite. The TOP Server AB Suite can now be used to also integrate Rockwell’s AB Micro800 control systems. TOP Server Version 5.12 also brings improvements to the Fisher ROC Plus driver. The driver has been updated to support additional point types for a wider range of compatibility. Enhancements to set/clear indications have been made to the driver when used with the Electronic Flow Measurement plug-in. TOP Server DNP Suite drivers have been enhanced to support DNP slave devices using local timestamps instead of UTC timestamps, as detailed in the DNP3 specification. Support for both local and UTC timestamps in the device for events and synchronization expands TOP Server compatibility with the largest number of DNP3 slave devices. Additional improvements in TOP Server Version 5.12 include:
- Siemens S7 Ethernet supports Boolean Arrays – The driver can now address arrays of Boolean data type memory.
- Other Driver Updates – Drivers with expanded functionality and improvements include ControlLogix Ethernet and DNP3 Suite. For full details of updates and enhancements in TOP Server Version 5.12, please see the release notes.
“Security is a key issue in all industries with today’s concerns about cybersecurity and protection of industrial infrastructure,” said Kevin Rutherford, brand manager at Software Toolbox. “One of our ongoing objectives is to provide products that facilitate reliable and secure monitoring and control across all industries and the new Security Policies plug-in for TOP Server delivers an additional layer of digital defense.”
ABOUT SOFTWARE TOOLBOX Since 1996, Software Toolbox has been an industry source for industrial automation software, from project conception to completion. The company has served more than 10,000 clients in 110 countries helping them find, evaluate, purchase and support automation software solutions. These solutions include OPC servers, clients, development toolkits, HMI/SCADA add-ins/enhancements, and ActiveX and .NET development tools for Visual Studio C#/VB/C++. Software Toolbox works with its clients in all phases of projects to help them find and determine the right tools to use and to support overall project objectives and maximize their industrial software results.