OPC UA & MQTT Aggregation Platform
Secure PLC & CNC Data Aggregation
SDEX Suite is an industrial OPC UA and MQTT data aggregation platform that securely aggregates and distributes PLC and CNC data to IT systems. This OT/IT data aggregation middleware enables scalable industrial data connectivity across Windows, Docker, and gateway deployments.
Overview
Faster Integration and Deployment
- Plug-and-play connectivity to PLC and CNC controllers from leading manufacturers
- Preconfigured OPC UA and MQTT communication paths
- Minimal engineering effort — no PLC program changes
- Short time-to-market for IIoT and analytics projects
Integrated Industrial Cybersecurity
- Secure IT/OT separation via middleware architecture
- Reduced risk of unauthorized access, cyber threats, and production downtime
- End-to-end protection with TLS/SSL encryption, authentication, and role-based access control (RBAC)
- Advanced security mechanisms include whitelisting, blacklisting, DoS prevention, and IEC 62443-aligned
Flexible Deployment across IT and OT Environments
- Consistent operation across Windows, Docker, and industrial gateway environments
- Deployment flexibility to match existing IT and OT infrastructures
- Simplified maintenance and upgrade processes through unified versioning and licensing
- Scalable implementation from single machines to global, multi-site architectures
Unified and Scalable Data Access
- Vendor-independent data access across heterogeneous PLC and CNC environments
- Consistent data structures through standardized OPC UA information models (PADIM, Weihenstephan)
- Simplified integration into IT, SCADA, MES, ERP, and cloud systems via Unified Namespace (UNS) architectures
- Improved data availability and analytic consistency for reliable reporting, optimization, and advanced analytics
Optional Hardware Gateway for Maximum Network Segmentation and Operational Security
- Enhanced network protection through physical separation of OT and IT interfaces
- Secure edge deployment close to machines or inside control cabinets without dependency on existing PCs or servers
- Reliable continuous operation in harsh industrial environments through robust, industrial-grade hardware
- Reduced commissioning effort and operational risk through a dedicated, preconfigured SDEX Suite runtime
PLC with OPC UA Server
Centralized Data Aggregation and Interface Abstraction
- Centralized aggregation of PLC and CNC data from multiple OPC UA servers into a unified namespace
- Simplified application access through a single aggregation server instead of multiple individual data sources
- Fine-grained data selection through flexible OPC UA service-based filtering down to item level
- Reduced configuration and maintenance effort by avoiding individual setup for each OPC UA source and client
Siemens SIMATIC controllers
Efficient Access to Siemens SIMATIC PLC data
- Comprehensive read and write data access from SIMATIC S7-300, S7-400, S7-1200, S7-1500 controllers
- Seamless integration of optimized data blocks from SIMATIC S7-1200 and S7-1500 controllers for efficient data handling.
- Simplified namespace configuration through direct import of STEP 7 or TIA Portal project files or live variable browsing
- Consistent and scalable data modeling with support for S7 structures and expandable arrays
Allen-Bradley controllers
Efficient Access to Allen-Bradley Controller Data
- Reliable read and write data access from ControlLogix (CLX) and CompactLogix controller via EtherNet/IP CIP.
- Flexible connectivity through routing capabilities for complex network topologies
- Comprehensive data coverage through support of all elementary (atomic) data types
- Consistent and scalable data modeling with support for user-defined data types (UDTs) and arrays
Modbus TCP controllers
Efficient Access to Modbus TCP Controller Data
- Vendor-independent read and write access to process data from Modbus TCP controllers (e.g., Schneider Electric, Wago, Siemens PAC, Beckhoff, Phoenix Contact)
- Simplified and transparent namespace definition using standard Modbus TCP syntax
SINUMERIK CNC controllers
Efficient Access to Siemens SINUMERIK CNC Data
- Direct access to production and tooling data from SINUMERIK 840D Solution Line and Power Line CNC systems
- Structured and customizable data representation through predefined namespaces for machine-specific datasets
- Transparent visibility of tools and magazines through automatic tool recognition
- Reliable access to NC and PLC alarms, GUD variables, and R parameters for monitoring and diagnostics
FANUC CNC controllers
Efficient Access to FANUC CNC Data
- Direct access to production and tooling data from FANUC CNC systems, including Series 30i/31i/32i/35i, 0i, Power Motion i-A, and NCGuide
- Structured and customizable data representation through predefined namespaces with support for user-defined PMC areas
- Transparent access to machines and process data without changes to existing CNC programs
What questions do consumers ask that our product answers?
How can I securely connect PLCs and CNCs to IT or cloud systems?
PLCs and CNCs should be connected through a secure middleware layer that separates OT and IT networks. SDEX Suite provides this layer by securely accessing machine data and exposing it to IT, MES, or cloud systems via OPC UA and MQTT, using encryption and controlled access.
How do I provide access to PLC data without changing the PLC program?
SDEX Suite accesses existing PLC and CNC data externally, without modifying the running controller program. This avoids production downtime and risk while making the required data available through standardized interfaces such as OPC UA and MQTT.
Can industrial data be centralized without giving IT direct access to machines?
Yes. With SDEX Suite, machines remain isolated within the OT network. IT systems connect only to SDEX Suite, which centrally manages, filters, and distributes the data without granting direct IT access to PLCs or CNC controllers.
How can industrial machine data be standardized for IT and analytics applications?
Industrial machine data can be standardized by mapping vendor-specific data into a unified address space. SDEX Suite structures PLC and CNC data consistently, making it easier for IT, MES, and analytics applications to consume and reuse the data.
What platform can aggregate multi-vendor PLC data using OPC UA and MQTT?
SDEX Suite aggregates data from PLCs and CNCs from multiple vendors and makes it available via OPC UA and MQTT. It provides a vendor-independent platform that supports scalable industrial data integration across heterogeneous automation environments.
Technical Data
| Software - Windows / Docker | ||
| Supported Protocols |
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| Supported MQTT Specifications | V3.1, V3.1.1 & V5 | |
| Supported MQTT Features |
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| Supported OPC Specifications | OPC Unified Architecture V1.05.02 | |
| OPC UA Roles | OPC UA Client and OPC UA Server (by both all profiles from nano to standard) | |
| OPC UA Profiles | Data Access, Complex Data, Methods, Reverse Connect (including file transfer) | |
| OPC UA Transport | TCP Transport, UA Binary Encoding, UA Secure Conversation HTTPS Transport, UA Binary Encoding | |
| OPC UA Security | Security Methods | Elliptic Curve Cryptography Aes256Sha256-RsaPss Aes128SHA256-RsaOaep Basic256Sha256 Basic256 Basic128Rsa15 None |
| Authentication | Anonymous Username and Password Certificate | |
| OPC UA Firewall |
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| OPC Compliance | Test based on compliance test tools of OPC Foundation | |
| Configuration Interface |
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| Logging, Diagnostics |
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| Supported Operating Systems | Windows based application |
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| Docker based application |
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| Supported Architectures | AMD64, ARM64, ARM32 | |
| Minimum Hardware Requirements | Disk Space: 320 MB (Docker), 400 MB (Windows) RAM: 2 GB | |
| Licensing | Licensed via Softing‘s License Server | |
| Demo Version | Time-limited to 72 hours | |
| REST-API | Available for Docker based application | |
Technical Data
| Gateway | ||
| Hardware | Processor | Broadcom BCM2711 quad-core ARM Cortex-A72 (ARM v8) 64-bit SoC @ 1,5GHz |
| Status LEDs (Gateway) | PWR (Power Supply), RUN (Running), ERR (Error), APP (Application) | |
| Real-Time Clock | Real-Time clock with buffering, setting the time via browser or by NTP server (buffer time depends on conditions such as ambient temperature and duration of use) | |
| Interfaces | Ethernet | 2x IEEE 802.3 10BASE-T/100BASE-TX/1000BASE-T, Connector: RJ45 |
| USB | 1x USB 2.0, Connector: Type A | |
| HDMI | 1x HDMI 2.0, Connector: Type A | |
| Supported Communication Protocols |
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| Physical Properties | Dimensions (H x W x D) | 120 mm x 28 mm x 110 mm |
| Weight | Approx. 420g | |
| Power Supply | 24Vdc ±20%, SELV/PELV supply mandatory, typical input current 500mA (max. 1A, considering rush-in current at switch-on) | |
| Typical Power Loss | 9.5W | |
| Operating Temperature | -20°C … +60°C | |
| Storage Temperature | -40°C … +85°C | |
| Relative Humidity | 5% … 95%, non-condensing | |
| Cooling | Convection, no fan | |
| Mounting | DIN rail 35mm | |
| Protection Class | IP20 | |
| Conformity/Standard | CE | Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) EN61000-6-2 Generic standards – Immunity standard for industrial environments EN61000-6-3 Generic standards – Emission standard for residential, commercial, and light-industrial environments EN61000-6-4 Generic standards – Emission standard for industrial environments EN61326-1 Electrical equipment for measurement, control, and laboratory use EN61131-2 Programmable controllers – zone B EN55011 Industrial, scientific, and medical equipment – Radio-frequency disturbance characteristics – Group 1 Class B EN55032 Electromagnetic compatibility of multimedia equipment – Emission Requirements - Class B EN 50581:2012/EN IEC 63000:2018 RoHS, Assessment of the restriction of hazardous substances |
| FCC | FCC 47 CFR Part 15B and ICES-003 – Class B | |
| VCCI | Class B Information Technology Equipment (ITE) set forth in the Agreement of Voluntary Control Council for Interference by Information Technology Equipment (VCCI), April 2015 | |
Order Information
| Scope of Delivery (Software - Windows / Docker) | |
| Software | SDEX Suite, Download via Softing Webpage or Docker Hub |
| License Key | E-mail delivery |
| Documentation | Online help (German / English) and Github (Docker) |
| Order Numbers | |
| LRA-XX-040001 | SDEX Suite Standard – Perpetual License |
| LMA-XX-040101 | SDEX Suite Standard – Software Upgrade License |
| LRA-XX-040002 | SDEX Suite Advanced – Perpetual License |
| LMA-XX-040102 | SDEX Suite Advanced – Software Upgrade License |
| LRA-XX-040003 | SDEX Suite Enterprise – Perpetual License |
| LMA-XX-040103 | SDEX Suite Enterprise – Software Upgrade License |
| Scope of Delivery (Gateway) | |
| Hardware | SDEX Suite Gateway |
| Software | Integrated web interface to configure the device Integrated web interface to configure the machine data connectivity Integrated web interface to administrate the controller connectivity licenses |
| License Key | When ordered together with the device: Printed on the device label and pre-activated for immediate use |
| Order Numbers | |
| GAL-YY-040101 | SDEX Suite Gateway Standard |
| GAL-YY-040102 | SDEX Suite Gateway Advanced |
| Additional products and services | |
| GAL-YY-040000 | SDEX Suite Gateway |
| 161701-PRO | ACCON NetLink PRO compact (Adapter to connect with S7-300/S7-400 PLCs and SINUMERIK 840D PL CNCs without CP or ethernet interface) |
| 700-5596-04 | AC/DC plug-in power supply, 24 V, 30 W, EU/UK/US plugs |
Downloads
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Drivers & Software
- SDEX Suite | Download Checksums V1.00
- SDEX Suite | Windows Installer V1.00
- SDEX Suite | Docker Image V1.00 (AMD64)
- SDEX Suite | Docker Image V1.00 (ARM_V7)
- SDEX Suite | Docker Image V1.00 (ARM64)
- SDEX Suite | Docker Hub
- SDEX Suite Gateway | Docker Image V1.00 (ARM_V7)
- SDEX Suite Gateway | adminUI | Application File V1.20.1
- SDEX Suite Gateway | adminUI | Configuration File V1.00
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Manuals & Documentation
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Data Sheets & Brochures
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Softing Industrial
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