Software module to connect SIMATIC S7 controllers to IIoT applications

edgeConnector Siemens connects Siemens SIMATIC S7-300/400, and S7-1200/1500 controller and provides access to data via an OPC UA server interface. In addition, the data can also be transmitted to MQTT brokers using MQTT. As a docker container, it offers flexible deployment options, for example on devices running Azure IoT Edge or AWS IoT Greengrass.

The application is easy to configure locally via a built-in Web interface. It can also be managed remotely via its REST API. Configuration is flexible and includes fine-tuned security settings (e.g. role based access rights for OPC UA client applications).

As a first strategic extension of Softing’s dataFEED product family into virtualization- and container technology, the new product leverages Softing deep experience with brownfield connectivity with MQTT and OPC UA technology, and makes it available for new and highly efficient IoT solution architectures.

Access to Siemens PLC Data from OPC UA Applications

• Read and write access to SIMATIC S7-300/400/1200/1500 data
• Support of optimized data blocks in SIMATIC S7-1200/1500 controllers
• Namespace configuration by importing SIMATIC STEP7 or TIA Portal project files or by direct browsing the variables in S7-1200/1500 controllers
• Standardized OPC UA communication for data integration into management systems like ERP, MES or SCADA or for data exchange with other docker containers like Microsoft OPC Publisher or Amazon AWS IoT SiteWise
• Connection of up to 20 Siemens PLCs with one Container Runtime
• Dedicated for retrofit upgrades of existing Siemens controllers

Easy Cloud-driven or Local Deployment

• Container images stored in different online repositories like Docker Hub, Azure Container Registry (ACR) or Amazon Elastic Container Registry (ECR)
• Simple data transmission to an MQTT broker using the MQTT publisher functionality for local or cloud-based solutions
• Recipe manager functionality for writing process data from the cloud to controllers (MQTT Subscriber)
• Licensing via Softing Floating Licence Server

Lightweight Flexible Container Solution

• Less resources plus increased scalability and flexibility
• Support of security standards as SSL/TLS, X.509 certificates, authentication and data encryption
• Highly flexible state-of-the-art application to be deployed, adjusted or started and stopped immediately, if needed
• Deployment and configuration also via management systems such as Kubernetes, Azure IoT Edge or AWS IoT Greengrass