Knowledge Base

300+ SCADA Protocol Articles & Guides

Deep dives on Modbus, DNP3, IEC 60870-5-101/104, IEC 61850, OPC UA, Profinet, MQTT, IEC 62443, and substation automation — written for practicing engineers.

Showing 118 of 24 articles
Blog
BLOG-OTHER

Industrial Dashboard Software: 6 Tools Compared

Industrial dashboard software compared: Grafana, PI Vision, Canary Axiom, Node-RED, FUXA and ThingsBoard, with protocol reach, cost and where each one fits.

16
Blog
BLOG-OTHER

Most Popular SCADA Systems and Where Each One Fits

Most popular SCADA systems compared: Ignition, WinCC, iFIX, AVEVA, FactoryTalk, MicroSCADA X and more, with protocol support, licensing, and fit notes.

28
Blog
SCADA

SCADA as a Service Explained: Cloud SCADA for Utilities

SCADA as a Service explained: what SaaS means for grid control systems, which functions can move to the cloud, and which have to stay on the plant floor.

12
Blog
ADMS

ADMS Vendors: Schneider vs Siemens vs GE vs Hitachi

ADMS vendors compared: Schneider EcoStruxure, Siemens Spectrum Power, GE Vernova GridOS, and Hitachi Network Manager. Architecture, DER, and protocols.

13
Blog
ADMS

What Is an ADMS? Advanced Distribution Management System

ADMS platforms merge SCADA, DMS, and OMS into one real-time control system. Learn the architecture, core applications, protocols, and how vendors compare.

20
Blog
SCADA

SCADA and ICS: The Difference and How They Fit Together

SCADA and ICS are not the same thing: SCADA is one type of ICS. See how SCADA, DCS, and PLC systems fit inside ICS and OT, per NIST and IEC definitions.

16
Blog
ICS-SECURITY

SCADA Security: Complete Guide to Protecting Control Systems

Learn how to secure SCADA systems from cyber threats. Covers network segmentation, remote access, IEC 62443 zones, real attacks, and a practical checklist.

15
Blog
DNP3

How to Configure DNP3 Communication Between Master and Outstation

Learn how to configure DNP3 master and outstation communication step by step. Covers addressing, polling, unsolicited responses, TCP/IP setup, and security.

12
Blog
OPC-UA

OPC UA vs MQTT vs Modbus: Which Protocol Should You Use?

OPC UA vs MQTT vs Modbus: Which protocol fits your project? Compare security, speed, data modeling, and scalability to pick the right one for your IIoT system.

11
Blog
SCADA

What is SCADA? How It Works, Components & Architecture

SCADA stands for Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition, a system used to monitor, control, and manage industrial processes in real-time.

39
Blog
ICS-SECURITY

What Is an Industrial Control System (ICS)?

Learn what an Industrial Control System (ICS) is, how it works, and why securing ICS is critical for modern industrial infrastructure.

4
Blog
SCADA

SCADA Network Architecture Design Guide for Substations & Industry

Learn how to design a secure and reliable SCADA network architecture for substations and industrial systems with redundancy and cybersecurity best practices.

4
Blog
MODBUS

Modbus Troubleshooting in SCADA — 15 Real Field Problems Engineers Face

Practical Modbus troubleshooting guide for SCADA engineers. Learn 15 real field problems, exception errors, RS-485 issues, and proven solutions to fix communication fast.

4
Blog
EMS

Energy Management System (EMS): Functions, Architecture, Benefits & Standards

Learn what an Energy Management System (EMS) is, how it works, its functions, architecture, benefits, and the role of IEC 61970 and CIM standards.

6
Blog
OPENVPN

WireGuard vs OpenVPN for SCADA Systems: Key Differences

Compare WireGuard vs OpenVPN for SCADA systems, including DNP3 and IEC-104 behavior, latency, reliability, and secure UDP vs TCP design.

5
Blog
BLOG-OTHER

Best Free SCADA Software in 2026: 12 Open-Source and Free Platforms Compared

Compare 12 free SCADA software platforms for 2026. Covers Rapid SCADA, SCADA-LTS, JSON-SCADA, Ignition, and more with protocols, tag limits, and download links.

9
Blog
DNP3

DNP3 vs IEC 61850: Full Technical Comparison of SCADA and Digital Substation Protocols

DNP3-IP, designed for distribution SCADA and remote telemetry, and IEC 61850, built for advanced substation automation and high-speed protection schemes.

10
Blog
SCADA

How to Monitor SCADA Protocol Traffic (Modbus RTU/TCP, IEC-104, DNP3, IEC-61850)

Learn how to monitor Modbus, IEC-104, DNP3, and IEC 61850 traffic. Capture and analyze SCADA communication over serial and TCP/IP for reliable system performance.

10