Virtualized Automation
Virtual Automation System are classified as a System or Collection of Systems that mimick the function of device, that does function traditionally as a single unit. All modern SCADA Systems can be classified as "Virtualized". Virtualization enables primitive devices to gain additionally functions and behave like a integrated unit, without being one.
Virtualized automation systems work by enumerating Physical interfaces to primitive devices, processing the resources and Creating complex schemas and integration functionality.
Key factors that matter for Virtualization
- Mapping of primitive Resources (Channels)
- Combination of primitive Resources to a more complex resource
- Scripting, Scheduling and Functions
- Events and Event handling
- Monitoring of resources
- Versatile abstraction interfaces
- Visualization and remote control
These functionality can be combined with partial autonomy on the devices, wich is most often required on security functions like interlocking. Virtualized Systems then have no full autonomy on the devices but do constantly monitor and request the device, to perform actions whenever possible.