Cloud Computing Digital Information Data Center Technology. Computer Information Storage. Cybersecurity 3d Illustration

CloudRail Solutions

CloudRail, one of Belden’s connected brands, enables operational efficiency by connecting industrial assets to cloud platforms in hours instead of weeks or months. Its cloud-based device management solution helps customers securely bridge OT and IT communications. Together, Belden connected brands deliver complete connection solutions that unlock untold possibilities for businesses and the world.

Central management of OT to IT connectivity

All CloudRail edge devices are controlled through the central and cloud-based CloudRail Device Management Cloud, the CloudRail.DMC. Provision new devices, deploy Edge Functions, monitor the device status, install updates and many more. Browser based, accessible from everywhere in the world and secure. Security features like end-to-end encryption, TPMs, failover scenarios or multi-role user access fulfill all requirements of enterprise customers.

API

A public API allows programmatic access to the features of the CloudRail.DMC. This is especially useful for large-scale and automated roll-out processes or a deep integration into existing systems.

Enterprise security

CloudRail fulfills Enterprise security and compliance requirements, even for industries like Aerospace & Defense or Pharma. The solution offers concepts like end-to-end encryption, TPM, failover scenarios, build-in firewalls or multi-role user access control.

Remote firmware updates

Remote firmware updates provide new features, security patches and long-term compatibility. No matter if you manage one or thousands of CloudRail enabled devices, this keeps your installations secure and reliable.

Cloud Database Management System Concept - Cloud-native Databases - Devices and Databases Surrounding Digital Cloud - 3D Illustration

Cloud platforms

Connect to all leading cloud platforms or on-premise systems, even in parallel.

CloudRail works with all leading cloud platforms. Explore below which cloud providers and respective services are supported.

• AWS: IoT Core, IoT Sitewise, IoT Sitewise Edge, Greengrass
• Microsoft Azure: IoT Hub, IoT Central, IoT Edge
• Google Cloud: PubSub
• MQTT Broker
• Webhook

Ready to use OT connectors

CloudRail acquires all data from the shop-floor (OT) and provides it ready-to-use for your IIoT application (IT). Modern machines or factory management systems are connected via OPC-UA. In brownfield scenarios secondary sensors are used to retrofit old assets. Energy meters can be connected via Modbus. CloudRail is compatible with all major cloud platforms like AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google and many more.

IO-LINK Connector and Sensors
Modbus TCP/RTU Connector
Plug&Play Device Provisioning
OPC-UA Connector

Plug&Play Sensors

The CloudRail.Box Max lets you connect over 12.000 industrial sensors or actuators to any cloud - plug&play in less than a minute.

Especially for retrofitting in brownfield environments, this allows you to put additional sensors like e.g. vibration or temperature on existing machines and send the data to the cloud. CloudRail supports sensors from almost any vendor like for example IFM, Sick, Turck, Pepperl+Fuchs and many more.

Distributed IO-Modules (IO-Link Sensors)

The CloudRail.Box Max uses IO-Link Masters to connect with the sensors. One CloudRail.Box can connect to up to 8 IO-Modules, as long as they are in the same network.

Each port of an IO-Module can be used as:
• IO-Link Input (any IO-Link sensor)
• IO-Link Output (any IO-Link actuator like a light)
• Digital Input
• Digital Output
• Analog Input 4…20mA (with an IO-Link DP2200 adaptor)
• Analog Output 4…20mA (with an IO-Link adaptor)

Supported IO-Link sensors

CloudRail works Plug&Play with all IO-Link sensors or actuators (over 12,000 sensor models). IO-Link sensors are for example available from vendors like IFM, Pepperl+Fuchs, Turck, Sick, Contrinex, Balluff and many more.

Here are some examples for available sensors:

• temperature sensors
• photoelectric sensors
• vibration sensors
• RFID reader/writer
• ultrasonic sensors
• inductive sensors
• pressure sensors
• light indicators/HMI
• flow sensors

Supported IO-Link masters

All Belden IO-Link Masters supporting REST and Modbus for IoT Integration.

0980 LSL 3010-121-0006-001, 0980 LSL 3311-121-0006-008, 0980 LSL 3210-121-0006-004, 0980 LSL 3111-121-0006-002, 0980 LSL 3211-121-0006-004, 0980 LSL 3410-121-0006-010, 0980 LSL 3411-121-0006-010, 0980 LSL 3110-121-0006-002, 0980 LSL 3011-121-0006-001, 0980 LSL 3310-121-0006-008, 0980 XSL 3912-121-007D-00F, 0980 XSL 3912-121-027D-01F, 0980 XSL 3913-121-027D-01F, 0980 XSL 3913-121-007D-01F, 0980 XSL 3912-121-007D-01F

IFM

IFM IO-Link masters of the DataLine edition. Connected to the CloudRail.Box via the IoT-port

(Y-Path, parallel connection to a PLC possible)

AL1300, AL1301, AL1302, AL1303, AL1320, AL1321, AL1322, AL1323 AL1330, AL1331, AL1332, AL1333 AL1340, AL1341, AL1342, AL1343, AL1350, AL1351, AL1352, AL1353, AL1900, AL1920, AL1930, AL1940, AL1950

Modbus TCP / RTU connector

In addition to IO-Modules, CloudRail can also work with Modbus devices such as energy meters. For Modbus RTU, just use the RS485 port on the CloudRail.Box Max. Modbus TCP support will be available soon.

Electric power meter measuring power usage with High voltage post. Watt hour electric meter measurement tool.

Plug&Play Device Provisioning and Data Normalization

CloudRail makes IIoT data acquisition simple and scalable. The system automatically provisions new devices to the target cloud platform, provides the necessary semantic information and normalizes data. Connect a machine within minutes and manage large scale and multi site roll-outs based on the same platform.

OPC-UA Connector

OPC-UA stands for Open Platform Communications United Architecture and is a universal data exchange standard for industrial communication. OPC-UA is independent from manufacturers or system providers, thus it can be used to enable communications between machines or from machines to any server or cloud-service.

Whether you are operating new machinery with OPC-UA already integrated or want to retrofit your existing machines with an OPC-UA server, CloudRail is a fast and convenient solution to connect with cloud-services like AWS or Microsoft Azure.

The edge gateway CloudRail.Box Max automatically searches through the breach-structure of the OPC-UA server and extracts all of the contained objects. Subsequently, you can select datapoints and connect them to any cloud-service with just a few clicks using the CloudRail.DMC.