Redundancy: a ClearSCADA solution

September 2008 SCADA/HMI

Introduction

It is well known that computer hardware fails or needs to be taken offline from time to time, and as such scada redundancy requirements are a very real and valid requirement. Questions that need to be considered include:

* Is changeover bumpless?

* Are communications redundant?

* What data is duplicated?

* What is involved in configuration?

* When would you require redundancy?

Scenario 1

The primary scada server has just failed, or a new operating system patch needs to be installed. Typically the following would be required to keep the client’s stations fully operational:

* Alternative communications links to the field, either via the same media or a second network card, radio or a dial-up connection.

* Operator stations should automatically switch to standby server without any user intervention.

* LAN/WAN redundancy in case the network switch has failed.

Scenario 2

The physical location of the primary servers has become compromised due to fire, power failure etc. The design architecture must provide:

* A backup-server in another location.

* This location will often involve narrow bandwidth or slow broadband networks to synchronise data, and as such need to do incremental synchronisation.

What data should be redundant?

In order to ensure that operator stations continue to function fully even though the primary server may have failed, or that the operator station cannot access the server due to a network break, all server data needs to be redundant, for instance:

* Configuration.

* Alarm and event journals.

* Trend and history archives.

* Reports.

This might sound simple, but configuration includes all graphic displays, templates, logic programs, alarm redirection rules, report templates, user security and anything else that is user configurable.

The ClearSCADA product has quad redundancy, and a second redundant server can be set up literally in a matter of minutes.

For more information contact Jaco Hoogenboezem, SCADAgroup, +27 (0)83 282 5706, [email protected], www.controlmicrosystems.com

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