Key Differences Between SCADA, DCS and HMI Systems
description
Transcript of Key Differences Between SCADA, DCS and HMI Systems
1/30/14 Key Differences Between SCADA, DCS and HMI Systems
www.synergistscada.com/key-differences-between-scada-dcs-and-hmi-systems/ 1/3
CALL US: 1 (800) 871-1669
Home Expertise Services Blog Contact
Search
Recent Posts
Cimation Black Hat – SCADA
vulnerabilities in Remote
Terminal Units September 6,
2013
Cimation Cyber Security
Experts to Simulate Attack at
Black Hat July 25, 2013
Exciting News! – Synergist
SCADA Acquired by Cimation
July 8, 2013
Key Differences Between
SCADA, DCS and HMI
Systems – Part 1 February 27,
2013
Citect 101 – How to Restore (a
CTZ) and Run a Citect SCADA
Project February 16, 2013
Building Your own Data Diode
with Open Source Solutions
February 4, 2013
Data Diodes and ICS Security
in the Real World January 30,
2013
Defending Industrial Control
Systems with Data Diodes
January 19, 2013
RSLogix 5000 101 – How to
retrieve a Logix5000 PLC
program January 12, 2013
How to backup a Vijeo Citect
SCADA Project December 1,
2012
“Hail Mary” Troubleshooting
Procedure for Schneider
Electric Vijeo Citect SCADA
Tweet 4
Key DifferencesBetween SCADA, DCSand HMI Systems - Part1Posted by Austin Scott in ICS, SCADA, SCADA 101 on February 27,
2013
4 people like this.Like
Key Differences Between SCADA, DCS
and HMI Systems
Introduction
About a year ago I posted an article on the Key Differences between DCS and SCADA
Systems which outlined the main differences between the two most common types of
industrial control system. To date this has been one of our most popular articles. Since
writing the original article we have significantly raised the bar on our blog article quality.
So, I have decided to write a new article on this topic with some
additional clarifications and diagrams.
Typical SCADA Network Example
SCADA Systems
0
FEB
27
Announcements 1
1/30/14 Key Differences Between SCADA, DCS and HMI Systems
www.synergistscada.com/key-differences-between-scada-dcs-and-hmi-systems/ 2/3
7.20 November 28, 2012
NERC CIP compliance 101 :
An introduction to NERC CIP
compliance November 18,
2012
ICS Firewall Article Community
Feedback Round 2 November
7, 2012
YouTube – Citect Power Tools
Video October 31, 2012
YouTube Video – 10 Things
We Love About Vijeo Citect
SCADA October 22, 2012
Archives
September 2013
July 2013
February 2013
January 2013
December 2012
November 2012
October 2012
August 2012
July 2012
June 2012
April 2012
March 2012
February 2012
January 2012
December 2011
November 2010
October 2009
SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition), is a system designed to gather
information from various points within a system and present it in a central control room. It
allows for the monitoring, controlling and setting of alarms. This industrial control system is
used in many industries, including water treatment, power generation, oil and natural gas,
communications, manufacturing and fabrication. A modern control ecosystem can perform
high level activities such as pricing energy consumption, planning preventative
maintenance, monitoring video security systems, and managing physical access
capabilities. As technology advances and the barriers that once separated the SCADA
system from traditional computers are lifted, we are seeing control systems integrated
with new devices and the valuable data generated used in fascinating ways.
The SCADA system begins with the sensor instrumentation located at each point in the
process. Sensors within the process monitor the amount of input and output at each step
of the way. Temperature, flow rate and valves are all monitored by sensors. From a simple
process, such as milk pasteurization, to a complex distribution system covering an entire
city, a modern SCADA has the capability to monitor a few sensors or millions of sensors.
The values read from sensor instrumentation is often used to alter the process. The input
can be directly applied to the output as is the case in a simple “open-loop control system”
In a more complex process the input can be fed into an algorithm to adjust the desired
output in order to maintain a required set point, as is the case of a “closed-loop control
system”.
SCADA Network Layers
The realtime display of a process is known as the Human-Machine Interface (HMI).
Information is displayed through the HMI in easily understood forms, such as process flow
diagrams, graphs and charts. The information is archived, which gives the human operator
the ability to recognize trends that may indicate problems within the system. The HMI is
comparable to a large computer that shows easy-to-read graphic displays useful in
monitoring alarms and controlling the system.
One of the major benefits of SCADA is in the reduction of time spent collecting and
1/30/14 Key Differences Between SCADA, DCS and HMI Systems
www.synergistscada.com/key-differences-between-scada-dcs-and-hmi-systems/ 3/3
Home Expertise Services Blog Contact search our site
© 2006-2013 Cimation Canada Inc.
Suite 3300, 205 5th Ave SW Calgary, AB CANADA
Interested? Contact us for more information.
1 (800) 871-1669
analyzing data. The HMI presents the data from all points of the operating system
collectively and in real time. This allows operators to make decisions quickly and
efficiently. In addition, labor costs are minimized as personnel are not required to monitor
the individual steps of the process. The monitoring can even be performed remotely from
the operator’s home, resulting in fewer calls for alarm situations after hours. SCADA takes
the complicated task of monitoring millions of points of information and uses computer
technology to present it in centralized, easy to understand ways.
Key Differences Between SCADA, DCS and HMI Systems - Part 2 – Coming March 5th,
2013
Key Differences Between SCADA, DCS and HMI Systems – Part 3 – Coming March
12th, 2013
Further Reading
Top 10 Things we Love About Citect SCADA
Key Differences between DCS and SCADA
The Differences between PLCs, RTUs and PACs