Secure Remote Access for PLCnext control

Discover how you can provide remote service with full access to your Phoenix Contact control and equipment, in an easy and secure way.

1. Remote VPN access to Phoenix Contact controllers with IXON Cloud
2. Two connectivity options to remotely access your PLCnext controller
3. Remote control of PLCnext HMI and other connected PLC equipment
4. How to extract data from PLCnext devices with IXON Cloud
5. Discover IXON Cloud for remote access to your PLCnext controller

Remote VPN access to Phoenix Contact controllers with IXON Cloud

IXON offers a powerful remote access solution and industrial IoT platform for the Phoenix Contact controller range: IXON Cloud. It enables machine builders and system integrators to get easy, fast and secure remote VPN access to the programming software and network of PLCnext. From anywhere at any time.

Benefits of IXON Cloud for Phoenix Contact controllers:

• All-in-one solution where hardware and cloud work together seamlessly, which makes it easy to configure with the Plug & Play setup 
• Web-based cloud portal and mobile app for secure and fast access to all your devices
• User-friendly through the intuitive and customisable interface
• Top-notch security level, thanks to the built-in firewall and IXON’s dedicated security experts
• Unlimited users without licenses to optimally work together with colleagues, partners and customers
• Scalable to your (customers’) needs in terms of number of machines and users, integrations and additional features such as data logging and alarms.

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Two connectivity options to remotely access your PLCnext controller

There are two easy ways to set up a secure connection to your PLCnext device from anywhere in the world:

1. IXON Cloud Connector
   IXON has developed an IXagent for PLCnext: IXON Cloud Connector. This embedded software can be installed directly from the PLCnext store onto your PLCnext device and enables secure VPN access. Installation is quick and easy but is limited to access to the PLCnext device only.
2. IXrouter
   The IXrouter is IXON’s edge device and has more flexibility than the embedded connector. Different models of the IXrouter enable an internet connection via ethernet, 4G/LTE or Wi-Fi. The IXrouter can access the PLCnext controller and provides full access to industrial components in the machine network such as an HMI, IP camera, robot or sensors. To ensure a secure solution it has a built-in firewall to separate the company's network from the machine network.

With the IXrouter, you can easily connect your PLCnext controller to the IXON Cloud portal. Just follow 3 simple steps, and it’s done in minutes thanks to the Plug & Play set up. Create an IXON Cloud account, configure the IXrouter and set up a secure VPN connection to connect your PLC to the IXON Cloud. 

Both connectivity options connect your PLCnext controller securely to the IXON Cloud using a VPN tunnel. Your machines are remotely accessible in just minutes and can easily be configured to collect and store data in IXON Cloud

This short video demonstrates what you can expect from the IXON Cloud connector for PLCnext.

Remote control of PLCnext HMI and other connected PLC equipment

With remote access to your PLCnext device you can monitor and manage what happens in your machine. To get the full picture of the machine status IXON Cloud offers additional access options. We support VNC and HTTP services. This means you can remotely view and control local web servers and HMI panels without needing a VPN client. 

Remote monitoring and control of HMI touch screens

We support the VNC protocol to remotely access any industrial control system connected to your Phoenix Contact PLC or PLCnext (when using the IXrouter). This functionality is included and free of charge.

An HMI remote viewer & monitoring option is available using the VNC protocol. View, access and fully control your Phoenix Contact touch screen (or any other HMI brand which supports VNC) remotely via your browser or mobile apps. 

Tip: Download the IXON Cloud mobile app to get push messages of your PLCnext device on your smartphone, access the dashboards, control HMIs and access the web server. Available for iPhone and Android.

Remote access to PLCnext web server 

Easily access and control the PLCnext web server directly and securely from your browser, no additional software needed. A speedy and seamless connection is guaranteed, as it runs via IXON's worldwide VPN network. 

When your PLC runs an HTTP or HTTPS server, you can access it without requiring a VPN connection. With your IXON Cloud account you can quickly access the HTTP or HTTPS server on any mobile and desktop device with an internet connection.

How to extract data from PLCnext devices with IXON Cloud

Via the IXrouter you can log and store data from your PLCnext device in IXON Cloud. It collects, prepares, transmits and stores data using a secure MQTT, automatically setting up a connection from the PLCnext device to the IXON Cloud. This gives you the opportunity to visualise data and build real-time or historical dashboards. Result: easier failure analysis and opportunities to offer additional services. 

The IXrouter supports several industrial protocols to automatically read data from PLCnext devices. Data can be transmitted to the IXON Cloud to make it available for data visualisation, data analysis, alarms, or integration with external platforms via the API:

Supported protocols for PLCnext controller:

• Modbus TCP/IP
• OPC-UA 

With cloud data logging you can configure the data protocol and device address from your IXON Cloud account without any coding. Push the configuration settings to the IXrouter and it will automatically read the data and store it on the IXON Cloud. 

Create dashboards with collected PLCnext data

Once your data is collected from your PLC and securely stored in IXON Cloud, you can use it to configure custom dashboards. With the drag & drop editor, you can add widgets and build multiple dashboards based on the collected data. Add a gauge, period, tables or graph widget to create a data report or live monitor for your machines. IXON’s API makes it possible to combine PLC data with data from other sources.

Set up alarms and notifications for PLCnext controller

To create and receive alarms from your machines you need to activate IXON’s alarms & notifications in your account. Choose the variable, the priority, set the condition and instructions for the operator. Next, define who must receive a mobile push message or email when the alarm is triggered.

Discover IXON Cloud for remote access to your PLCnext controller

Experience the ease of use of the IXON Cloud platform yourself through the interactive tour. Sign up to get access and browse around in our demo platform. Test our remote access tools and explore how to customise the platform to your specific needs. Free of obligation.

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