SAN JOSE, CA--(Marketwired - November 18, 2015) - With the introduction of the first software configurable 5-channel Ethernet I/O module, Bedrock Automation extends to the industrial Ethernet domain its commitment to deliver Simple, Scalable and Secure™ automation. The new SIO4.E Ethernet I/O module plugs into the revolutionary Bedrock™ pinless electromagnetic backplane to receive Bedrock's patented Black Fabric ™ cyber security protection. Each of the module's five I/O channels is independently software configurable. The initial library of Ethernet protocols includes Ethernet IP, Modbus TCP, and OPC UA on TCP IP. All channels also deliver Power over Ethernet (PoE) while Bedrock's unrivaled computing horsepower and advanced electronics enable easier integration into real-time communications and control strategies.

Ethernet as a real-time control variable

Tightly coupling Ethernet into the process control and I/O network enables deployment of a wide range of edge device and enterprise data into real-time control logic, much in the same way an engineer incorporates more typical process sensor and actuator data. This results in real-time communication channels for the exchange of data between OT production and IT enterprise systems.

"Unlike an Ethernet switch traditionally sitting at Purdue levels 3 to 5 with the operations and business networks, the SIO4.E module delivers Ethernet as secure I/O at levels 0 and 1 with the sensor, actuator and process control logic. This collapses the legacy hierarchical ICS model into a simplified and inherently more secure automation architecture. Equally empowering is the deployment of OPC UA on any of the SIO4.E Ethernet I/O channels, opening up a world of opportunity and innovation while reducing all aspects of software lifecycle cost. This is the way of the future," says Bedrock CTO and Engineering VP, Albert Rooyakkers.

Securing Ethernet I/O

Ethernet is becoming widely adopted for open industrial control system (ICS) applications because it builds on proven, high-speed stacks that have been enhanced for use on industrial devices such as robots, PLCs, sensors, CNCs and other industrial machines. Bedrock secures Ethernet I/O in many ways, including by connecting the FIPS compliant anti-tamper SIO4.E I/O module on a pinless electromagnetic backplane, embedding authentication logic, true random number generation (TRNG) and cryptographic keys into the semiconductor hardware and by isolating information flow within each channel by way of separation kernel functionality in a secure real-time operating system (RTOS).

"Robust ICS cyber security is just part of the tremendous value that the new Bedrock module brings to process automation," says Bedrock Automation President Bob Honor. "The fact that each channel can be software configured adds new levels of flexibility and scalability. No other I/O module allows process engineers to program so much communications capability into one system component. We are especially excited about the positive impact for ICS users. That user experience is increasingly configurable and Bedrock uniquely offers the tools and platform to shape it securely to their advantage."

Pricing and availability

The Bedrock SIO4.E Ethernet I/O module is available at a price of $2000, about the same as a traditional Ethernet IP card. But unlike a typical Ethernet card, the five channel SIO4.E is cyber secure, software configurable for multiple protocols, and has more bandwidth, higher computing power and additional performance advantages. Support for Modbus TCP and OPC UA will be available in the coming months by way of firmware and software field updates. Profinet support is slated for second half of 2016.

About Bedrock Automation

Bedrock Automation, based in San Jose, California, is the maker of Bedrock™, the world's most powerful cyber secure automation platform. From Silicon Valley, Bedrock Automation has assembled the latest technologies and talents in both the automation and semiconductor industries to build an unprecedented automation solution for industrial control based on three prime directives: Simplicity, Scalability and Security™. The result is a system with a revolutionary electromagnetic backplane architecture and deeply embedded cyber security, which delivers the highest levels of system performance, industrial cyber security and reliability at the lowest cost of ownership.

For more information about the Bedrock revolution, download the first two whitepapers in our series: Revolution - Chapter One: The Backplane, and Revolution - Chapter Two: Empowering Power. For more information about Bedrock Automation, visit www.bedrockautomation.com.

For more information about becoming a Bedrock systems integrator or high tech distributor, contact Paul Tornabene, Sales Channel Manager at 408-712-8124 or Email Contact.

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Media Contacts: 

Rob Bergman
Bedrock Automation

robert.bergman@bedrockautomation.com
626-824-0404

John Nero 
Tiziani Whitmyre

jnero@tizinc.com
781-793-9380