Vnet/IP is a new control network protocol that incorporates general communication capabilities without compromising the reliability and stability of real-time communications.

Ethernet-based control network

Openness: coexistence with general-purpose Ethernet communications
An integrated platform supporting TCP/IP communications makes it possible to configure networks using commercially available network equipment.

An ideal control network that ensures highly reliable real-time communication.

With Vnet/IP, both open communications and control communications use the same busses. Sharing the same communications band enables both types of communications to be performed simultaneously.

Usually uses BUS1. When a problem occurs on BUS1, it switches to BUS2.

-   For Yokogawa packages

-   For general-purpose Ethernet

In a large-scale system, numerous devices are connected to a control bus. At certain times, a large number of alarm events can occur simultaneously and lead to a sudden increase in the communications load on the control bus. Under such circumstances, the highly reliable real-time communications can be guaranteed by Vnet/IP. So that Vnet/IP is a very good choice for the large scale system since the communication load of the control bus is no longer worrisome.

-   Supports a wide variety of network equipment, which can be selected depending on the application.

-   The ability to use commercially available network equipment makes for much more cost effective solutions.

The high reliability and real-time communications capability of Vnet/IP is well suited for control systems. Moreover, its redundant configuration means that control can switch smoothly and promptly to a backup bus if a technical problem occurs.

For using Vnet/IP with open communication, enhanced security software is employed to protect the control bus from three major threats to networks: interception, alteration, and deception. Network security is also enhanced through the use of a boundary router.

On a Vnet/IP network, the network status can be monitored without using additional tools. Communications among domains and among stations can also be monitored. When a network problem occurs, customers can get detailed information right away, thus greatly reducing the downtime for troubleshooting.

As requested by users, a new feature has been provided that enables the remote operation and monitoring of the control system from any location using a general purpose PC. This may be done, for example, from an office desktop at an overseas office or from a mobile terminal in the field. With this remote capability, even engineering tasks may be done outside the control room.

This new remote operation and monitoring feature uses the terminal service function of Microsoft Windows Server 2003. Any PC can access the remote operation and monitoring server through an intranet or a dedicated line, eliminating the need to be directly connected to the control networks.

Operation, monitoring, and engineering can be done from any remote location, even overseas. And it does not matter what sort of client terminal or operating system you are using; even a notebook or a tablet PC will get the job done.

Operation and monitoring from a remote location can have the same excellent performance as when using a HIS in an control room.　Features such as a one-second refresh rate for windows, and a multiple window-mode guarantee a remote terminal the same excellent operability as an HIS in a control room.

Up to eight remote clients can be connected to a server and perform operation and monitoring at the same time. With a legacy remote desktop connection, it was possible to connect just one remote console session at a time, and to increase the number of remotely connected clients it was necessary to have more terminal server HISs in the control room. With this new feature, only one HIS with the Windows Server 2003 terminal server needs to be installed in the control room, and this can provide server services to an increased number of remote consoles and at a lower cost. This is a standard feature of Windows Server 2003 and no additional software is required, making for a very reasonable implementation cost.

Enhanced security features are available for the remote operation and monitoring clients, including automatic logoff and user-based security settings.

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A context menu can be displayed by right-clicking the graphic window.

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The functions keys on a general-purpose keyboard can be assigned the same functions as those on the dedicated keyboard.

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The folder icons displayed in System View are user-definable. A user created image can be used as the icon.

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The clock of the PC used for engineering can be synchronized with the clock of V net.

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A new module that is compatible with the pulse input and analog output multiplexer card (PAC card) used in the legacy systems of CENTUM V、CENTUM-XL has been added to the I/O module lineup. When migrating the I/O modules of a legacy system, the existing cables between the CENTUM and the field devices can be used.

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The maximum number of FF-H1 communication modules allowed in a compact FCS has been increased from 8 to 30, giving more choice and flexibility in the design of fieldbus segments.

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The downloading of software to field devices is supported.

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FF-H1 module communication performance has been improved.