INDUSTRIAL NETWORKS
When the network is part of the process, connectivity becomes part of the operation.
Industrial environments connect machines, control and supervisory systems, servers, devices and applications that continuously support operations.
In this context, availability, segmentation, performance, security and predictable communications are no longer merely infrastructure requirements. They become part of operational continuity.
Add Solution designs, implements and modernises industrial networks, taking into account the specific characteristics of OT environments and their secure integration with IT infrastructure.
- 01ProcessMachines, sensors and devices
- 02ControlPLCs and control systems
- 03SupervisionHMIs, SCADA and historians
- 04OperationsServers and engineering workstations
- 05IT/OT integrationControlled flows and intermediary services
- 06BusinessBusiness applications and cloud, where applicable
ENGENHARIA APLICADA
Quando conectividade participa do processo produtivo, cada mudança exige contexto operacional.
Integramos princípios de redes, segurança e disponibilidade às restrições de ambientes OT, ciclos de vida longos e janelas reduzidas.
Arquitetura, execução e operação tratadas como partes da mesma responsabilidade.
OPERATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE
An industrial network must account for everything that depends on it.
In business environments, the network usually connects people to applications and services. In an industrial environment, communications may also participate directly in the operational process.
Supervisory systems need to receive information. Controllers need to communicate. Operator stations need access to systems. Data must cross different layers of the architecture.
This convergence expands what is possible, but it also makes architecture more important.
In industry, connectivity does not end at access. It is part of the process.
IT + OT
Two technological worlds. A boundary that must be properly designed.
Information Technology and Operational Technology have historically been built around different priorities. In IT, confidentiality, integration, scalability, experience and access are highly important.
In OT, availability, predictability, operational safety, compatibility and process continuity may take even greater priority.
This integration must take place through a controlled architecture, not simply by connecting two networks.
CONTROLLED INTEGRATION ZONEAuthorized flowsSegmentation · firewall · industrial DMZ · PAM · monitoring
The diagram represents possible controls depending on the architecture. It does not prescribe a single model for every environment.
INDUSTRIAL ARCHITECTURE
Not everything that needs to exchange information must be on the same network.
Machines, controllers, supervisory systems, engineering systems, industrial servers, business systems and external access have different functions and trust levels.
Recognised references such as Zones & Conduits, the Purdue Model, ISA-95 and IEC 62443 can guide projects where applicable — as references, not as dogma, certification or mandatory architecture.
Zones
They group assets and systems with similar requirements or functions.
Conduits
They represent controlled communication paths between zones.
Policies
They define necessary relationships, boundaries and responsibilities.
INDUSTRIAL NETWORK ENGINEERING
Infrastructure designed for the context in which it will be used.
From the physical medium to the logical architecture, every decision must consider the environment, the process and expected behaviour during a failure.
Architecture
Industrial networks designed around the operational context, dependencies and criticality of each environment.
Industrial switching
Technology selection that considers physical conditions, installation, power, availability, redundancy and expansion where applicable.
IT/OT segmentation
Organisation of zones, trust levels and authorised flows without turning integration into unrestricted communication.
Redundancy
Topology, protocols, convergence and application tolerance assessed as a single operational behaviour.
Fibre optics
Backbones, splicing, terminations, testing, measurement, diagnostics and validation according to the applicable scope.
Diagnostics
Physical and logical analysis to distinguish symptoms from causes without introducing unnecessary changes in critical environments.
In critical processes, behaviour during a failure matters as much as behaviour during normal operation.
Installing duplicate paths is not enough. Topology, protocols, convergence, dependencies and device behaviour must be considered together.
Redundancy is design. Resilience is behavior.
Not all network traffic behaves in the same way.
EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, Modbus TCP, OPC UA and other applications may have their own timing, multicast, broadcast and operational dependency characteristics.
Our expertise is in understanding their impact on communications infrastructure — not in developing protocols or PLC logic.
OPTICAL INFRASTRUCTURE
When distance, environment and availability require a different physical medium.
Fibre optics play an important role in backbones, over long distances and in situations where the characteristics of the environment make them suitable.
Add Solution performs cable installation, preparation, splicing, enclosure assembly, terminations, organisation, testing, measurement, diagnostics and validation according to the applicable scope, using OTDR, OLTS/power-meter and inspection resources.
Learn about our Structured & Certified Cabling engineeringConvergence must not mean unrestricted exposure.
The architecture must balance security, availability, compatibility and operational continuity. IT controls cannot always be applied in exactly the same way within an industrial operation.
Explore CybersecurityRemote access must be available without turning convenience into exposure.
VPNs, firewalls, jump servers, PAM, MFA, source restrictions, access windows, logging and auditing can be combined according to the context.
Explore PAM & Identity SecurityVISIBILITY
We cannot properly protect or operate what we do not understand.
Assets, communications, dependencies, flows, changes and anomalies must be understood using techniques compatible with OT criticality. Indiscriminate active discovery may not be appropriate.
Learn about Network Performance & VisibilityMODERNIZATION
Modernising without ignoring decades of technology that continue to support operations.
Industrial environments rarely start from scratch. Different generations of technology, long life cycles, legacy systems and dependencies coexist.
In existing plants (brownfield), engineering respects what must remain operational. In new projects (greenfield), it enables segmentation, backbone, redundancy, fibre, IT/OT integration, security, observability and growth to be planned from the outset.
In an operating plant, changing the network is also an operational decision.
Inventory, dependencies, sequencing, validation, a change plan, rollback, documentation and defined responsibilities reduce uncertainty — without promising zero risk or impact.
When communications fail, finding the cause requires an understanding of the context.
The physical medium, interfaces, topology, protocols, multicast, congestion, redundancy, equipment and connected systems may all contribute to the problem.
ENGINEERING
Before changing the network, we need to understand the process it supports.
A progression that connects operational context, architecture, implementation and improvement — without confusing communications infrastructure with process engineering.
- 01
Understand
Understand the operational context and objectives.
- 02
Map
Identify architecture, equipment, connections, and dependencies.
- 03
Classify
Understand criticality, functions, and relationships between zones.
- 04
Architect
Define topology, segmentation, redundancy, and controls.
- 05
Validate
Review impact and expected behavior.
- 06
Implement
Implement the planned infrastructure.
- 07
Migrate
Carry out a controlled transition when necessary.
- 08
Observe
Validate behavior and communication.
- 09
Document
Document architecture and relevant information.
- 10
Evolve
Reassess as processes and technology change.
PERGUNTAS FREQUENTES
Decisões importantes sobre Redes Industriais
Respostas objetivas para dúvidas técnicas e operacionais que costumam surgir antes de um projeto.
01Qual a diferença entre uma rede industrial e uma rede corporativa?
Ethernet, IP, switching e routing podem existir nos dois ambientes. O que muda é o contexto: criticidade, ciclo de vida, compatibilidade, ambiente físico, tolerância a interrupções, processos de mudança e requisitos das aplicações.
02O que significa integração IT/OT?
É a troca controlada de informações entre Tecnologia da Informação e Tecnologia Operacional. Ela deve considerar zonas, fluxos autorizados, segurança, disponibilidade e as restrições do ambiente industrial.
03Por que segmentar uma rede industrial?
A segmentação limita comunicações ao necessário, organiza dependências e reduz a exposição entre sistemas com funções e níveis de confiança diferentes.
04É possível modernizar sem substituir todo o ambiente?
Sim. Plantas existentes frequentemente combinam diferentes gerações tecnológicas. O caminho pode ser gradual, começando por inventário, dependências, riscos, obsolescência e prioridades reais.
05Qual o papel da fibra óptica em redes industriais?
A fibra pode ser adequada para backbones, grandes distâncias e ambientes em que as características do meio exigem outra solução. Projeto, instalação, testes e diagnóstico precisam ser tratados como parte da arquitetura.
06Como controlar acessos remotos de fornecedores?
Conforme o contexto, a arquitetura pode combinar VPN, firewall, jump server, PAM, MFA, restrição de origem, janelas de acesso, registro e auditoria.
FALE COM UM ESPECIALISTA
Vamos conversar sobre Redes Industriais.
Share the context of your environment, the perceived impacts and the results your organization seeks. Add Solution will direct the conversation to the most appropriate experts.
CONTEXTO DA CONVERSARedes IndustriaisOrigem e interesse são registrados automaticamente no atendimento.