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Need to Speed Up OPC UA Development? Use a Framework

Developers who want to put OPC UA on an embedded device typically use an SDK (Sofware Development Kit) to speed up the project. Although an SDK can be helpful, using one to build an OPC UA server is still a big task, typically taking 12 to 18 months for an expert in OPC. Thankfully, there is another approach—use a framework. This article explains the three main advantages of using a framework:

  1. It resolves protocol blocking, a challenging obstacle to development .
  2. It can convert the OPC UA to the protocol the device may be using.
  3. You don’t need to learn OPC UA.

Using a framework (like the one provided by Skkynet’s ETK) allows a developer to bridge between the application logic and the OPC UA protocol and speed up development time.

Skkynet Powers Industrial IoT Connectivity with Renesas RZ/N1D Microprocessor

Multiple industrial protocols available on the RZ/N1D microprocessor from Renesas will link directly to the SkkyHub IIoT service.

Mississauga, Ontario, October 25, 2017 – Skkynet Cloud Systems, Inc. (“Skkynet” or “the Company”) (OTCQB: SKKY), a global leader in real-time cloud information systems, is pleased to announce that Skkynet’s ETK (Embedded Toolkit) for the Renesas RZ/N1D Arm®-based microprocessor (MPU) will support the C2C Industrial Network Protocol Stack to provide a secure, real-time gateway for industrial protocols such as Modbus, Profinet, CANopen, and OPC UA to the Industrial IoT.  This hardware and software combination is being showcased at Arm® TechCon, October 25 – 26 in Santa Clara, CA.

“Plant engineers and system integrators can connect their mission-critical plant automation systems to the Industrial IoT with no loss of performance or security,” said Paul Thomas, President of Skkynet. “Connecting the RZ/N1D to the Cogent DataHub running in the plant, or to SkkyHub running on the cloud, provides seamless and secure access to plant data from anywhere in the world.”

“The Renesas RZ/N1D real-time IIoT gateway shifts the focus from IT data models to the real-time requirements of dedicated machine control systems,” said Wil Florentino, Senior Manager, Product Marketing, Industrial Automation Segment at Renesas Electronics America.  “This demo shows secure, real-time, end-to-end connectivity from a factory floor system up to enterprise clients to provide real-time, on-premise and cloud connectivity.”

The RZ/N1D is a scalable and proven ARM®-based microprocessor that can be used in a variety of applications with the Cortex®-A7 Dual core and a high-speed, high-capacity memory interface.  A built-in, connected Cortex®-M3 processor will provide an Industrial Network Protocol Stack with support for Modbus, Ethernet/IP, Profinet, DeviceNet, and CANopen industrial protocols.  The RZ/N1D implements up to five Ethernet ports and the latest redundancy protocol, so it is optimized especially for industrial network equipment such as PLCs and network switches.

The Skkynet Embedded Toolkit (ETK) allows embedded devices to make a secure connection to OPC UA clients, the Cogent DataHub, or SkkyHub.  The Cogent DataHub fully integrates OPC UA and other industrial protocols to support OPC networking, OPC server-server bridging, aggregation, data logging, redundancy, and web-based HMI. Skkynet’s SkkyHub service connects to the ETK and the Cogent DataHub to securely network live data in real time from any location. It enables bidirectional IoT-based supervisory control, integration and sharing of data with multiple users. Secure by design, the service requires no VPN, no open firewall ports, no special programming, and no additional hardware.

About Skkynet

Skkynet Cloud Systems, Inc. (OTCQB: SKKY) is a global leader in real-time cloud information systems. The Skkynet Connected Systems platform includes the award-winning SkkyHub™ service, DataHub®, WebView™, and Embedded Toolkit (ETK) software. The platform enables real-time data connectivity for industrial, embedded, and financial systems, with no programming required. Skkynet’s platform is uniquely positioned for the “Internet of Things” and “Industry 4.0” because unlike the traditional approach for networked systems, SkkyHub is secure-by-design. For more information, see https://skkynet.com.

Safe Harbor

This news release contains “forward-looking statements” as that term is defined in the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements in this press release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements, including beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future, and results of new business opportunities. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors, such as the inherent uncertainties associated with new business opportunities and development stage companies. Skkynet assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements. Although Skkynet believes that any beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that they will prove to be accurate. Investors should refer to the risk factors disclosure outlined in Skkynet’s annual report on Form 10-K for the most recent fiscal year, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other periodic reports filed from time-to-time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Skkynet’s Embedded OPC UA Server Now Available on Renesas RZ/N1D Microprocessor at Sensors Midwest 2017

The only OPC UA server that can connect to IIoT with no open firewall ports is now offered on the RZ/N1D microprocessor from Renesas.

Mississauga, Ontario, October 3, 2017 – Skkynet Cloud Systems, Inc. (“Skkynet” or “the Company”) (OTCQB: SKKY), a global leader in real-time cloud information systems, is pleased to announce that Skkynet’s ETK (Embedded Toolkit) is available for the Renesas RZ/N1D Arm®-based microprocessor (MPU), providing OPC UA server capability with built-in secure Industrial IoT support.  This hardware/software combination is being showcased at Sensors Midwest, October 3-4 in Rosemont, Illinois.

“Plant engineers and system integrators can now connect their mission-critical plant automation systems to the Industrial IoT with no loss of performance or security,” said Paul Thomas, President of Skkynet. “Connecting the RZ/N1D to the Cogent DataHub running in the plant, or to SkkyHub running on the cloud, provides seamless and secure access to OPC UA and other data protocols anywhere in the world.”

“The Renesas RZ/N1D real-time IIoT gateway shifts the focus from IT data models to the real-time requirements of dedicated machine control systems,” said Wil Florentino, Senior Manager, Product Marketing, Industrial Automation Segment at Renesas Electronics America.  “This demo shows secure, real-time, end-to-end connectivity between a factory floor system using industrial protocols such as OPC UA and Modbus TCP up to enterprise clients to provide real-time, on-premise and cloud connectivity.”

The RZ/N1D is a scalable and proven Arm®-based MPU that can be used in a variety of applications with the Cortex®-A7 dual core and a high-speed, high-capacity memory interface. It implements up to five Ethernet ports and the latest redundancy protocol, so it is optimized especially for industrial network equipment such as programmable logic control (PLC) and network switches.

The Skkynet Embedded Toolkit (ETK) allows embedded devices to make a secure connection to the Cogent DataHub® or SkkyHub™.  The Cogent DataHub fully integrates OPC UA and other industrial protocols to support OPC networking, OPC server-server bridging, aggregation, data logging, redundancy, and web-based HMI.  Skkynet’s SkkyHub service connects to the ETK and the Cogent DataHub to securely network live data in real time from any location.  It enables bidirectional, IoT-based supervisory control, integration and sharing of data with multiple users.  Secure by design, the service requires no VPN, no open firewall ports, no special programming, and no additional hardware.

About Skkynet

Skkynet Cloud Systems, Inc. (OTCQB: SKKY) is a global leader in real-time cloud information systems. The Skkynet Connected Systems platform includes the award-winning SkkyHub™ service, DataHub®, WebView™, and Embedded Toolkit (ETK) software. The platform enables real-time data connectivity for industrial, embedded, and financial systems, with no programming required. Skkynet’s platform is uniquely positioned for the “Internet of Things” and “Industry 4.0” because unlike the traditional approach for networked systems, SkkyHub is secure-by-design.  For more information, see https://skkynet.com.

Safe Harbor

This news release contains “forward-looking statements” as that term is defined in the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements in this press release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements, including beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future, and results of new business opportunities. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors, such as the inherent uncertainties associated with new business opportunities and development stage companies. Skkynet assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements. Although Skkynet believes that any beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that they will prove to be accurate. Investors should refer to the risk factors disclosure outlined in Skkynet’s annual report on Form 10-K for the most recent fiscal year, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other periodic reports filed from time-to-time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Skkynet and Partners Showcase Secure IoT at ET2016 in Japan

Joint collaboration between NiC and Skkynet partners BellChild and Nissin demonstrates secure, real-time connectivity for the IoT.

Mississauga, Ontario, November 8, 2016 – Skkynet Cloud Systems, Inc. (“Skkynet”) (OTCQB: SKKY), a global leader in real-time cloud information systems, announces that NiC, a Skkynet subsidiary, will collaborate with Skkynet partners Nissin Systems Co. Ltd. and BellChild Co. Ltd. to demonstrate secure, end-to-end Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity at ET2016 in Yokohama, Japan, later this month.  The joint exhibit, which features the Skkynet ETK connected to BellChild’s iBRESS Secure Micro Cloud Service, will give engineers, developers, and executives a chance to access and control Renesas Synergy™ Platform hardware from their mobile phones, over a secure, real-time, two-way data communications link.

“This demonstration represents a fusion of leading IoT technology―hardware, software, and services―to provide a seamless experience,” said Mr. Akira Iwata, President of NiC. “Developers working with Renesas Synergy can simply activate the Skkynet ETK for their project, and get immediate access to their data in a web browser or mobile phone.”

“Japan is a world leader in embedded technology,” said Paul Thomas, President of Skkynet.  “This show is the ideal venue for demonstrating the practical value of connecting embedded devices to the IoT.”

The ET2016 show is the largest of its kind, attracting developers and customers from all over Japan, as well as other parts of Asia and the world.  With two specialized sub-shows for embedded and IoT technologies, ET2016 caters to the expanding range of applications for embedded devices in all markets.

The Skkynet ETK (Embedded Toolkit) for the Renesas Synergy Platform is part of the Renesas Synergy Verified Software Add-on (VSA) Program. The ETK is offered by Skkynet free of any royalty or development-license fees, allowing engineers and developers to quickly and securely enable their projects for the IoT, while providing a platform to earn a recurring revenue stream.

The iBRESS Secure Micro Cloud Service can transmit mission-critical sensor data over a public cloud in real time, while conforming with or exceeding the most stringent security requirements in the industry. It can meet the individual needs of a wide range of corporate users, and provide flexible solutions for individuals and groups of clients in the financial or industrial sectors.

About Skkynet

Skkynet Cloud Systems, Inc. (OTCQB: SKKY) is a global leader in real-time cloud information systems. The Skkynet Connected Systems platform includes the award-winning SkkyHub™ service, DataHub®, WebView™, and Embedded Toolkit (ETK) software. The platform enables real-time data connectivity for industrial, embedded, and financial systems, with no programming required. Skkynet’s platform is uniquely positioned for the “Internet of Things” and “Industry 4.0” because unlike the traditional approach for networked systems, SkkyHub is secure-by-design.  For more information, see http://skkynet.com.

Safe Harbor

This news release contains “forward-looking statements” as that term is defined in the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements in this press release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements, including beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future, and results of new business opportunities. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors, such as the inherent uncertainties associated with new business opportunities and development stage companies. Skkynet assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements. Although Skkynet believes that any beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that they will prove to be accurate. Investors should refer to the risk factors disclosure outlined in Skkynet’s annual report on Form 10-K for the most recent fiscal year, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other periodic reports filed from time-to-time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Recent IoT Attack on Dyn Calls for Secure By Design

The recent denial of service attack on Dyn, a DNS service company for a huge chunk of the Internet, sure woke up a lot of people.  Somehow when it happens to you, you tend to feel it more.  Twitter, Netflix, Reddit, eBay, and Paypal users certainly felt it when they couldn’t access those sites.  Now that most of us are awake, what can we do about it?

In the short term, not a lot, apparently.  In a recent article about the attack titled Vulnerability Is the Internet’s Original Sin, Internet security expert and author of Dark Territory: The Secret History of Cyber War, Fred Kaplan points out that from the beginning the costs and challenges of designing security into the Internet from the ground up was considered too challenging and costly.

Kaplan tells how, back in 1967, Willis Ware, the head of the Rand Corporation’s computer science department and a NSA scientific advisory board member, wrote a paper warning the ARPANET team and others that “once you put information on a network—once you make it accessible online from multiple, unsecure locations—you create inherent vulnerabilities … You won’t be able to keep secrets anymore.”

The Dyn attack was simple in concept and easy to execute.  The devices used were accessible household appliances and electronics, configured out of the box with simple default user names and passwords like “username”, “password”, and “12345”.  The virus cycled through these default credentials to recruit thousands of devices into a giant collective, which was then coordinated to flood Dyn with traffic.

To prevent this kind of hack, device manufacturers may start updating their devices to ensure more secure usernames and passwords.  But that ignores the elephant in the room.  The fundamental problem is that these IoT devices are available (they are always on, ready to communicate over the internet), they are accessible (they can be seen on the internet), and they are numerous (with numbers growing exponentially).  This combination of availability and accessibility, multiplied by the huge numbers, makes IoT devices perfect for coordinated attacks.  We can be sure that the bad actors are already working hard on defeating username/password protection on IoT devices.

Considering the first of these three critical factors, IoT functionality requires that IoT devices are available for communication.  There is not a lot we can do about availability.  Secondly, the business opportunities and economic promise make device proliferation unstoppable.  We have to expect continued rapid growth.  But we can do something about the third critical factor: accessibility.

No IoT device should be sitting on the Internet with one or more open ports, waiting for something to connect to it.  The device can and should be invisible to incoming probes and requests to connect.  A hacker or bot should not even see the device, let alone be given the chance to try a username or password.  That technology exists, is easy and inexpensive to implement, and has been proven in thousands of industrial installations for over a decade.  Governments and manufacturers need to be employing it across the full range of IoT applications.

Skkynet Connectivity to be Showcased by Renesas at ARM TechCon 2016

Live demo of secure, real-time connectivity for the IoT uses SkkyHub™ and Skkynet ETK running on Renesas Synergy™ Platform.

Mississauga, Ontario, October 24, 2016 – Skkynet Cloud Systems, Inc. (“Skkynet”) (OTCQB: SKKY), a global leader in real-time cloud information systems, announces that its real-time connectivity solutions for the Internet of Things (IoT) will be showcased at the Renesas Electronics booth #412 at ARM TechCon 2016 from October 26-27 in Santa Clara, California.  A live demonstration of Skkynet’s ETK running on the Renesas Synergy™ Platform and connecting to SkkyHub™ will allow hardware engineers, software developers, and industry executives to access and control Synergy-based embedded systems from in-plant, mobile and the IoT cloud, in real time.

“The Skkynet ETK connected to SkkyHub gives Renesas Synergy users immediate and secure access to the IoT,” said Paul Thomas, President of Skkynet.  “At ARM TechCon, engineers and developers will experience for themselves how easy it is to monitor and control an ARM device in real time from a smartphone.”

With over 80 billion installed in devices worldwide, the ARM architecture and ARM-based processors account for the majority of embedded systems today.  Supporting the development of this technology, ARM TechCon attracts over 4,000 industry professionals, technical experts, hardware engineers and software developers in the ARM ecosystem, making it the largest, best-attended annual show of its kind.

The Skkynet demo at ARM TechCon consists of a Renesas Synergy S7 Series development board running the ETK, which is connected via the Internet to the SkkyHub cloud service.  Data from the board is displayed graphically on the web with WebView™, allowing show attendees to monitor and control lights and indicators on the demo board in real time from their smartphones.  This secure, end-to-end connectivity between the Synergy-based embedded solution, the ETK, SkkyHub, and WebView combine to produce a seamless experience of the IoT.

Skkynet’s SkkyHub service allows industrial and embedded systems to securely network live data in real time from any location. It enables bidirectional supervisory control, integration and sharing of data with multiple users, and real-time access to selected data sets in a web browser. The service is capable of handling over 50,000 data changes per second per client, at speeds of just microseconds over Internet latency. Secure by design, it requires no VPN, no open firewall ports, no special programming, and no additional hardware.

The Skkynet ETK (Embedded Toolkit) for the Renesas Synergy Platform is part of the Renesas Synergy Verified Software Add-on (VSA) Program. The ETK is offered by Skkynet free of any royalty or development-license fees, allowing engineers and developers to quickly and securely enable their projects for the IoT, while providing a platform to earn a recurring revenue stream.

About Skkynet

Skkynet Cloud Systems, Inc. (OTCQB:SKKY) is a global leader in real-time cloud information systems. The Skkynet Connected Systems platform includes the award-winning SkkyHub™ service, DataHub®, WebView™, and Embedded Toolkit (ETK) software. The platform enables real-time data connectivity for industrial, embedded, and financial systems, with no programming required. Skkynet’s platform is uniquely positioned for the “Internet of Things” and “Industry 4.0” because unlike the traditional approach for networked systems, SkkyHub is secure-by-design. For more information, see http://skkynet.com.

Safe Harbor

This news release contains “forward-looking statements” as that term is defined in the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements in this press release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements, including beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future, and results of new business opportunities. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors, such as the inherent uncertainties associated with new business opportunities and development stage companies. Skkynet assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements. Although Skkynet believes that any beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that they will prove to be accurate. Investors should refer to the risk factors disclosure outlined in Skkynet’s annual report on Form 10-K for the most recent fiscal year, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other periodic reports filed from time-to-time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.