New software provides centralized visibility into networked assets and speeds up device deployment
MILWAUKEE, May 7, 2018 — Plant-floor personnel have the difficult task of monitoring and maintaining a growing number of IoT devices on their networks. Rather than using complex or unfamiliar IT tools to do this, they can use the new FactoryTalk Network Manager software from Rockwell Automation. It allows them to monitor the health of their Allen-Bradley Stratix managed switches, troubleshoot switch issues and quickly configure new managed switches all from one easy-to-use software interface.
“Many plant-floor personnel struggle to piece together information about managed switches and devices from different sources,” said Lorenzo Majewski, product manager, Rockwell Automation. “With the FactoryTalk Network Manager software, they can access this information in one collective spot. In addition, real-time alarms and events from network switches can help them conduct faster, more precise troubleshooting.”
With potentially hundreds if not thousands of devices in a large facility, users can get overwhelmed by the amount of information they need to manage. The FactoryTalk Network Manager software automatically discovers assets, their associated IP addresses, and creates a topology of these connected devices. The software’s intuitive interface offers grouping of equipment along with dashboard information, so users can organize devices into specific areas or analyze them individually.
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The software also uses user-created configuration templates to get new switches up and running faster and more efficiently. These templates can be shared across an organization, or with OEMs and system integrators to further ease network deployments, commissions and maintenance efforts.
The FactoryTalk Network Manager software provides role-based access control with auditing capabilities to help track user-specific activities and changes. The software supports multiple protocols, including Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), Common Industrial Protocol (CIP), Modbus, BACnet and PROFINET. Access to the web-
based platform is available via a personal computer in a control room or a mobile device on the plant floor.
As part of the Integrated Architecture system from Rockwell Automation, the FactoryTalk Network Manager software provides seamless integration with the Stratix family of industrial network switches.
About Rockwell Automation
Rockwell Automation Inc. (NYSE: ROK), the world’s largest company dedicated to industrial automation and information, makes its customers more productive and the world more sustainable. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., Rockwell Automation employs approximately 22,000 people serving customers in more than 80 countries.
Media Contacts
Tiffany Pfremmer
Rockwell Automation
414.382.4814
tbockhop@ra.rockwell.com
Keegan Leddy
Padilla
612.455.1941
keegan.leddy@padillaco.com
Allen-Bradley, FactoryTalk Network Manager, Integrated Architecture, LISTEN. THINK. SOLVE. and Stratix are trademarks of Rockwell Automation Inc.
PROFINET is a trademark of PROFIBUS and PROFINET International (PI).
CIP is a trademark of ODVA Inc.
Published May 7, 2018