Rockwell Automation Technologies Incorporated

James B Vitrano

Scott D Braun

James S Rustad

Daniel Joseph Middlestetter

August B Schrab

Kurt R Hohensee

John Howard Stuedemann

Neil W Knutsen

John James Jenks

Gregory W Mears

Kenwood H Hall

Michael D Kalan

Brian Alan Batke

Sivaram Balasubramanian

Alex Laurence Nicoll

John C Wilkinson

Teck Siang Tan

Jimmy See Yong Koh

Warren A Simonsen

William A Bartz

Tary J Jasper

Jaime D Fernandes

Mohammadreza Serjooei

Robert Alexander

August Schrab

For uninterrupted network communications, a method detects a protected reset at a network device. In response to the protected reset, the method maintains communication functions of a communication module. The communication module communicates with other network devices using the communication functions. In response to the protected reset, the method resets the network device without resetting the communication module.

Protected reset for network device

An industrial device is configured to implement a lightweight file authentication sequence that rapidly verifies the integrity of mobile code supplied to the industrial device. The industrial device generates a file authentication code (FAC), which is stored on the industrial device and only made accessible to users via a local connection to the industrial device. The device-specific file FAC is installed on the program development application used to develop or edit the mobile code to be executed on the industrial device. The development application provides the mobile code to the industrial device together with a hash-based message authentication code (HMAC) generated using a retrieved copy of the FAC. The industrial device only permits execution of the mobile code if the HMAC included with the mobile code matches a locally created HMAC generated by the industrial device based on the mobile code and the device's local copy of the FAC.

Rapid file authentication on automation devices

In some embodiments, a motor drive system includes a communication subassembly electrically coupled to a control subassembly for providing communication between the control subassembly and at least one external device. The control subassembly and the communication subassembly transmit and receive control data independently of messaging data, greatly enhancing performance and reducing the workload of processors on the control subassembly and communication subassembly. Additionally, the control subassembly and the communication subassembly transmit message data via sequence count based messaging. Communications between the communication subassembly and the control subassembly may include a series of timeout periods and retries, increasing reliability.

Enhanced motor drive communication system and method

A motor drive system includes a control module and a power module for generating control signals and power signals, respectively, for driving an electric motor. An add-on module or subassembly is physically positionable between the control and power modules, and communicates with the control module to allow for communication with external devices.

Modular motor drive communication system and method

A motor control host includes a plurality of ports, a memory, and a processing device. The memory is operable to store an enable mask defining an enablement state for each of the ports. The processing device is operable to send a first message over those selected ports having an affirmative enablement state to maintain a communication link over the selected ports and inhibit the first message for those ports having a negative enablement state. A method for configuring a motor control system including a motor control host having a plurality of ports includes storing an enable mask defining an enablement state for each of the ports. A first message is sent over those selected ports having an affirmative enablement state to maintain a communication link over the selected ports. The first message is inhibited for those ports having a negative enablement state.

Method and apparatus for disabling ports in a motor control system

Techniques for system wide analysis of industrial protocol traffic are provided to determine an optimal location of a security device and/or to dynamically and automatically create rules for security devices, communication modules, and/or proxy devices, including replacement devices. Intrusion detection and/or prevention can be provided for an system utilizing mechanisms for an industrial protocol space. Automated configurable security rule combining can maintain a rule set that is simple and manageable. Configuration and maintenance of industrial protocol devices, communication devices, security-enabled devices, security proxies, and intrusion detection and/or prevention can be simplified within unique industrial environment architectures.

Distributed learn mode for configuring a firewall, security authority, intrusion detection/prevention devices, and the like

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South Milwaukee, WI, United States of America

James B Vitrano