Tdworld 2926 Selsecurity335
Tdworld 2926 Selsecurity335
Tdworld 2926 Selsecurity335
Tdworld 2926 Selsecurity335
Tdworld 2926 Selsecurity335

Security Gateways Ease Migration from Analog Leased Lines to Ethernet

May 14, 2015
Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc. has added bit-based, serial-to-Ethernet conversion capabilities to its security gateway and port server family

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc. has added bit-based, serial-to-Ethernet conversion capabilities to its security gateway and port server family. This new capability allows utility infrastructure owners and operators to migrate from analog leased lines to new Ethernet-based communications circuits without requiring the replacement of existing SCADA communications front ends (CFEs), remote terminal units (RTUs) and intelligent electronic devices (IEDs).

The SEL-3610, SEL-3620 and SEL-3622 provide a solution to help ease the burden of transitioning from analog to Ethernet services. For years, telecommunication companies have been transitioning critical infrastructure utility customers from analog leased-line to digital, packet-based Ethernet services. With the obsolescing of analog leased-line services, many utilities face the challenge and expense of replacing or upgrading CFEs, RTUs and IEDs to support Ethernet-based communication. The SEL devices provide a cost-effective migration solution to allow utilities to maintain existing CFEs, RTUs and IEDs and convert bit-based serial data interfaces to Ethernet.

The bit-based serial conversion technology in the SEL security gateway and port server product line allows operators to seamlessly convert existing bit-based serial protocols, such as Conitel, Tejas, Van Comm, Redaj and others, to Ethernet packets on the near side of a link, then reconvert those Ethernet data back into bit-based form on the remote side. This allows the devices to be used as drop-in replacements for analog leased-line modem technology without disrupting existing equipment, and with minimal additional latency.

The cost-effective solution also helps infrastructure owners and operators with their NERC CIP compliance efforts through additional features, such as password management, multifactor authentication and exe-GUARD™ anti-malware.

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