Protocol Converter
A Protocol Converter is a Data Flow Component designed to ingest data from various sources into the Unified Namespace.
Features
Manufacturing-Specific Protocols
With benthos-umh, we've added protocols tailored for manufacturing:
- OPC UA, including auto-browse and subscribe for folder nodes.
- s7comm, for Siemens S7 without Optimized Block Access
- Modbus for Modbus over TCP/IP
- Community-supported protocols like Beckhoff ADS
Robust Testing
All officially supported protocols are automatically tested before each release against a wide range of PLCs and servers, including WAGO PFC100/PFC200, Siemens S7-1200, Prosys, Kepware, Softing DataFeed, and various public simulators.
Simplified Configuration
Save time when setting up new devices
- Auto-Detection: Automatically detects many configuration parameters, such as browsing and subscribing to all child nodes in OPC UA or selecting the correct OPC UA endpoint.
- Minimal Manual Setup: Use the Management Console to select the protocol. Most configurations are auto-detected based on existing information like the Connection, which includes IP, Port, and location details (enterprise, site, area, etc.).
- Easy Tag Extraction: For OPC UA, point to a NodeID and an existing connection, and the Protocol Converter will extract tags and sort them into your Unified Namespace under the specified location.
Advanced Customization
Designed for power users.
- Fine-Tuning: Use Bloblang or JavaScript to fine-tune configurations. Supports Report-by-Exception, RegEx, and more.
- Alternative Tools: If Benthos isn't suitable or lacks a connector, you can use Node-RED or deploy any other commercial protocol converter within the UMH.
- Templating (upcoming): Create once a protocol converter, add templating variables, and then scale them out across multiple Connections. For fine-tuning, simply adjust the variables in the Connections UI.
Efficient Troubleshooting
You cannot influence real-world operations, but you can influence how quick you are able to resolve any issues arising from them.
- Network Issues: The Connections feature alerts you if a device is unreachable or if there are connectivity issues.
- Protocol Converter Errors: Any startup issues or infrastructure related errors with the Protocol Converter are displayed prominently.
- Log Monitoring: Warnings or errors in the Protocol Converter logs are visible within the Management Console
- Data Flow Insights: Monitor data throughput to identify if no data is flowing or if there are data spikes.
- Remote Access: Access logs of each Protocol Converter and view Benthos metrics remotely
Management Console
Accessible
Unite all data in a single point with our real-time and event driven architecture: the Unified Namespace
Manageable
Gain full control and transparency over your IT and OT systems
Resilient
Built with scaleable & proven cloud native technologies on top of established automation standards