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Leverage IOTA for Efficient OT Network Capture and Analysis

Written by Profitap | Feb 28, 2025 4:20:34 PM

In the ever-evolving landscape of industrial automation, Operational Technology (OT) networks demand specialized tools for monitoring and analysis. Enter IOTA, a powerful solution that's revolutionizing how we capture and analyze traffic in OT environments.

Understanding the OT Network Challenge

OT networks differ significantly from their IT counterparts. They prioritize real-time control and monitoring, utilizing specialized protocols like PROFINET, Sercos III, and Modbus. These networks require consistent cycle times, especially in hard real-time applications common in manufacturing. Traditional network analysis tools often fall short in this unique environment, lacking the precision needed for accurate OT network analysis.


IOTA: Bridging the Gap

IOTA emerges as a game-changer, offering tailored solutions for OT network capture:

 

 

IOTA EDGE

IOTA CORE

It is ideal for small to mid-sized enterprises, provides  in-line or out-of-band capture with 3.2 Gbps performance and 8ns hardware timestamping.

It is designed for larger networks, offers out-of-band capture with up to 20 Gbps performance, and supports multiple high-speed interfaces.

 

 

Strategic Implementation for Maximum Visibility

To harness IOTA's full potential:

  1. Strategically deploy copper TAPs in your OT network to capture both transmitted streams before and after key devices for non-intrusive monitoring and direct traffic comparison.
  2. Deploy IOTA to monitor and analyze network traffic in real-time actively, ensuring seamless visibility without packet loss.
  3. Leverage IOTA's precise timestamping and robust capture engine for analyzing industrial Ethernet protocols.

 

The Advantages of IOTA in OT

 

By implementing IOTA in your OT environment, you gain:

  • Non-intrusive, comprehensive network visibility

  • Preserved network performance without added latency

  • Enhanced security through passive monitoring

  • Real-time insights via protocol-specific dashboards

 

 

IOTA maintains existing systems and facilitates the integration of newer technologies, bridging the gap between legacy OT systems and modern network analysis needs.

As industries continue to modernize, tools like IOTA become indispensable for maintaining OT networks' reliability, efficiency, and security. By embracing IOTA, you're not just monitoring your network but future-proofing your industrial operations.

 
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