Virtual Automation Networks: A Solution for Heterogeneous Automation Networks in Manufacturing

The contribution deals with an interesting technology for purposes of industrial automation. The Virtual Automation Networks (VAN) technology is an advanced Ethernet-based industrial communication system which much better corresponds to requirements of industry than all existing Industrial Ethernets. It enables an effective cooperation of public and private networks with a stress on security, safety and real-time properties. It solves also problems with implementation of different wireless technologies into heterogeneous communication structure of distributed industrial automation systems. Virtual Automation Networks project is under development in one of the integrated projects of the 6th Framework Program. Authors present main problems of the virtual automation network as architecture, technological platform, network topology and device profiles in an overview. Finally, principal questions of the name-based routing, and OpenVPN tunneling is explained.