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.
4 Best IEC 61850 Test Software for GOOSE & MMS (Engineers’ Guide)
**61850 Test Software** is essential for validating communication, interoperability, and correct behavior in modern digital substations. From GOOSE messaging and MMS communication
IEC 61850 MMS Port 102 Explained
IEC 61850 MMS port 102 explained: why the ISO-on-TCP port was kept, what data rides on it, how GOOSE and SV differ, Wireshark filters, and firewall rules.
IACS Cybersecurity – Protecting SCADA and Industrial Control Systems
IACS Cybersecurity focuses on protecting Industrial Automation and Control Systems (IACS) such as SCADA, PLCs, RTUs, DCS, IEDs, and industrial networks from cyber threats while ensuring safety, availability, and operational reliability.
IEC 60870-5-104 Port Numbers Explained: TCP 2404, TLS 19998, and Firewall Configuration
Complete guide to IEC 60870-5-104 port numbers. Covers TCP 2404, TLS port 19998, IANA registration, firewall rules, Wireshark filters, and security best practices
IEC 61850 Control Models: Direct, SBO, and Enhanced Security
IEC 61850 control models explained: all five ctlModel values, what enhanced security really means, the Select-Operate flow, and what happens after Operate.
DNP3 Event Classes Explained: How Class 0, 1, 2, and 3 Really Work in SCADA Systems
Learn how DNP3 event classes work in practice. Understand Class 0, 1, 2, and 3, polling, delays, and how real priority is engineered in SCADA.
IEC 60870-5-104 Security Explained: TLS, IEC 62351 & IEC/TS 60870-5-7 Guide
Learn how IEC 60870-5-104 security works using TLS and IEC/TS 60870-5-7. Protect SCADA communication with IEC 62351-based standards.
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.
IEC 61850 Data Types Explained: The Complete Practical Guide
IEC 61850 data types from the ground up: basic types, common data classes, data objects and attributes, and how each is encoded in MMS, GOOSE, and SV.
SCADA Networking: Site-to-Site VPN vs NAT on Private APN Explained
Site-to-site VPN vs NAT on private APN explained in simple terms. Learn why VPNs give reliable SCADA communication and why NAT often causes connection issues.
What Is CIP? Common Industrial Protocol Explained
Learn how the CIP protocol works, including objects, messaging, safety, and motion. A simple, complete guide to Common Industrial Protocol for automation.
Modbus Data Types: Decode Register Values Correctly
Modbus data types explained: UINT16, INT16, hex, binary, ASCII, 32-bit integers, IEEE-754 floats, and bitmasks, plus how to pick the right format every time.
PRP vs HSR Explained: IEC 62439-3 Complete Guide to Redundant Industrial Networks
Learn the key differences between PRP and HSR under IEC 62439-3. Clear guide to redundancy behavior, performance, and how to interconnect both systems.
HSR (High-Availability Seamless Redundancy) in IEC 61850 Networks: Complete Technical Guide
Deep technical guide to HSR for IEC 61850 networks. Learn how HSR frames, nodes, forwarding, RedBoxes, and QuadBoxes deliver zero-time redundancy.
Parallel Redundancy Protocol (PRP): Complete Guide to Zero-Downtime Industrial Network Reliability
Learn how Parallel Redundancy Protocol (PRP) ensures zero-downtime industrial networking with simple, clear explanations for reliability, safety, and performance.
Modbus TCP/IP Explained: Complete Beginner-to-Expert Guide
Modbus TCP/IP explained from the ground up: ADU structure, encapsulation across network layers, big-endian data, the client-server model, and function codes.
Wireshark GOOSE: Decode IEC 61850 Messages
Wireshark GOOSE decoding step by step: filter EtherType 0x88B8, read gocbRef and datSet, and use stNum and sqNum to spot the exact moment an event fires.
Securing IEC-104 Traffic Over OpenVPN: A Complete Technical Guide for Modern Critical Infrastructure
Secure IEC-104 systems with a modern OpenVPN site-to-site architecture. Learn cryptography, routing, LTE deployment, and best practices for utility networks.