Industrial It 800Xa update
Hi,
does it make sense to update Industrial It 800Xa from version 5.0 to version 6.1 on a working DCS?
i could not find a comparison table or some documents on benfits of using version 6 over version 5.0 .
we do have 1o2 redundant seystem including 2 As ,2CS ,2DS and 8 clients. using 8 redundant 864A controllers. using win server 2003.
does it make sense to update Industrial It 800Xa from version 5.0 to version 6.1 on a working DCS?
i could not find a comparison table or some documents on benfits of using version 6 over version 5.0 .
we do have 1o2 redundant seystem including 2 As ,2CS ,2DS and 8 clients. using 8 redundant 864A controllers. using win server 2003.
Asked 5 months ago
Voted best answer
2
The more significant issue is the underlying operating system.
Microsoft support for your operating system is ending. That means no more patches, no more fixes, and most importantly no more security updates for problems that will continue to discovered for several years. There have been a number of extremely serious security vulnerabilities that can result in a totally unrecoverable control system including the recent Bluekeep vulnerability that if exploited can allow an attacker total control over your system. The number of reported attacks on systems is increasing.... For example https://www.zdnet.com/article/aluminium-producer-switches-to-manual-operations-
after-extensive-cyber-attack/
In addition, support for virtualizing 5.0 is limited to TSA ( Temporary Sales Authority ) So finding hardware to continue running your OS is going to become more difficult. If you really plan on keeping your 5.0 system running for several more years then you need a plan to address these issues.
Of course, simply upgrading to V6 wont auto magically fix the problems either, but it will make the whole problem significantly simpler.
If you work for the kind of company that takes 12 to 18 months to find the budget for automation upgrades, then its probably time now to start planning.
Microsoft support for your operating system is ending. That means no more patches, no more fixes, and most importantly no more security updates for problems that will continue to discovered for several years. There have been a number of extremely serious security vulnerabilities that can result in a totally unrecoverable control system including the recent Bluekeep vulnerability that if exploited can allow an attacker total control over your system. The number of reported attacks on systems is increasing.... For example https://www.zdnet.com/article/aluminium-producer-switches-to-manual-operations-
after-extensive-cyber-attack/
In addition, support for virtualizing 5.0 is limited to TSA ( Temporary Sales Authority ) So finding hardware to continue running your OS is going to become more difficult. If you really plan on keeping your 5.0 system running for several more years then you need a plan to address these issues.
Of course, simply upgrading to V6 wont auto magically fix the problems either, but it will make the whole problem significantly simpler.
If you work for the kind of company that takes 12 to 18 months to find the budget for automation upgrades, then its probably time now to start planning.
Answered 5 months ago
Answers
0
hi,
technically you are correct - version 5.0 will do the job.
If you have virtualised it you should be ok hardware wise. I have a 5.0 but its all plain old hardware and i cant build XP or 2003 machines on new hardware anymore. Drivers are a major issue.
From a security standpoint, if your system can see the Internet, even through a firewall, then the lack of security updates for 2003 is an issue. ABB will tell you its a security risk and they are pushing the security products such as application whitelisting in their new versions.
i have a big stock of Dell 2950's and Dell T3400's and wont get money until 2022 so my 5.0 will be around for a while too.
regards
dave
technically you are correct - version 5.0 will do the job.
If you have virtualised it you should be ok hardware wise. I have a 5.0 but its all plain old hardware and i cant build XP or 2003 machines on new hardware anymore. Drivers are a major issue.
From a security standpoint, if your system can see the Internet, even through a firewall, then the lack of security updates for 2003 is an issue. ABB will tell you its a security risk and they are pushing the security products such as application whitelisting in their new versions.
i have a big stock of Dell 2950's and Dell T3400's and wont get money until 2022 so my 5.0 will be around for a while too.
regards
dave
Answered 5 months ago
0
Hi!
Consider to check out the Life Cycle Plan. When you need to buy spare parts for the controller-side you might have a problem. For AC800M some older fieldbus CI ar no longer available.
For instance, CI851 Profibus Master is obsolete. It was replaced by CI854 and for use of it, you need to go to at least to version 5.1.
Otherwise I would say security, security again, robustness, bug fixes and so on.
On the other hand, virtualization combined with isolation from the global access (internet), buys you time to convince system owner the benefits...
BR
Consider to check out the Life Cycle Plan. When you need to buy spare parts for the controller-side you might have a problem. For AC800M some older fieldbus CI ar no longer available.
For instance, CI851 Profibus Master is obsolete. It was replaced by CI854 and for use of it, you need to go to at least to version 5.1.
Otherwise I would say security, security again, robustness, bug fixes and so on.
On the other hand, virtualization combined with isolation from the global access (internet), buys you time to convince system owner the benefits...
BR
Answered 5 months ago
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