Cloud-Based OT Network Management: The Advantages Are Here
One of the most significant drivers of change in networking, IT, and OT alike, has been the adoption of cloud technology. The shift toward cloud-based processing and design is not just a trend—it represents a paradigm shift in how OT networks are built, and how building automation is managed, monitored, and maintained. Let’s examine how […]
Managing VLANs and BBMDs in BACnet Networks: A Practical Guide
On paper, virtual local area networks (VLANs) and BACnet Broadcast Management Devices (BBMDs) seem completely at odds. VLANs are meant to separate and segregate traffic into multiple subnets. At the same time, BBMDs are designed to bypass all that work to broadcast messages across different parts of the network without limiting which devices should get […]
What Is BACnet/SC? Understanding “The Next Generation” of BACnet Security
With the increasing integration of cloud-based systems, IoT devices, and external network connections, operational technology (OT) networks have become more vulnerable to cyber threats. For many organizations using building automation systems (BAS), focusing on operational efficiency and connectivity has historically outpaced the emphasis on security. Older OT systems, like MS/TP, often lack basic encryption and […]
How to Use a BBMD in OT Networks
BBMDs act as a sort of forwarding service. They’re especially useful on large, complicated networks. A BBMD forwards messages from one subnetwork to another, so communications can be broadcast locally.
The Ultimate BACnet FAQ
One of the biggest barriers we’ve encountered in the OT networking industry is the significant lack of easily accessible educational resources. For individuals who are new to the business of BAS, it presents a substantial challenge to navigate and find reliable BACnet FAQ material that can provide credible information and guidance. Of course, lots of […]
The Master Systems Integrator Ultimate Guide
The who, what, where, why, and how of Master Systems Integrators. The Master Systems Integrator (MSI) is not a new term by any stretch of the imagination. It’s been setting roots in the industry for years. As more IP-connected devices are installed in buildings every single day, though, the MSI has become much, much more […]
What You Need to Know About KNX in Smart Building Systems
BACnet gets compared to a lot of other protocols on the market, including LonWorks, Modbus, and KNX. We’re explaining how each of these protocols are different, and how they stack up against each other. In this article, learn about KNX. In a world where smart buildings are increasingly prevalent, the need for a reliable, efficient, […]
What’s In a BACnet Packet Capture?
There comes a time in every OT technician’s life (probably more often than they’d like) when they just can’t figure out what the heck is going on. After all, BACnet issues have a habit of masking their root cause behind common symptoms: Duplicate devices can throw up strange errors that look like physical connection issues, […]
BACnet Router Basics: What They Are and When You Need One
The concept of “routers” and “gateways” for BACnet management has morphed a lot over time: A BACnet router and a BACnet gateway can be the same thing, but they don’t have to be. You may need both of them to maintain communications across your networks, but you’ll probably have them both already. And don’t forget […]
How BACnet Excessive Read Rate Slows Down Your OT Network
What is Read Rate in Operational Technology? Falling under the umbrella of “data polling” attributes, “BACnet excessive read rate” is the frequency at which a device on your network is requesting data from another device as part of data acquisition management processes in OT systems. Read rate is a key metric in managing building control […]
