SCADA Serial TCP Gateway

The Black•Gate RS232 is a secure TCP to Serial Gateway, with an integrated Bell RS232 modem, that interconnects Ethernet TCP/IP SCADA Master Controllers to the serial SCADA interface of Remote Terminal Units.

Pipeline operators and Utilities deploy the Black•Gate RS232 to facilitate SCADA communications to PLC, RTU's, Flow Computers, or Gas Analyzers over IP/MPLS Ethernet based wired or wireless networks. Modbus RTU/ASCII/ROC and DNP3 SCADA protocols are transparently supported.

The Black•Gate utilizes industrial grade hardware components and state of the art secure software.

Black•Gate NERC Redundancy 

NERC -CIP mandates control center redundancy.RTUs must be accessible from, and be able to connect to, backup control centers. 

Black•Gate continuously monitors connectivity to the active control center and automatically switches to the active backup control center.

•NERC mandates for control center redundancy
• Preserves investment in RTU & Central ⁻⁻ SCADA
• Control Center redundancy with IP flexibility
• Supports up to four redundant control centers
• Redundant and diverse connectivity

NERC Redundant and Diverse Connectivity

Black•Gate Management 

Black•Gate management access is limited to encrypted sessions via TLS, SSH, or SNMPv3, that employ AES 256 bit keys and sophisticated NIST approved passwords. These sessions may be established after authentication via TACACS+ or Radius. Administration and User Logs are available with Syslog. 

Secure Boot, a combination of hardware and firmware, is employed to ensure that the only code executing on the Black•Gate is trusted by Engage.Secure Boot, a combination of hardware and firmware, is employed to ensure that the only code executing on the Black•Gate is trusted by Engage.The signature of each piece of boot software, including firmware drivers, the operating system and applications is validated. Code Signing must be done for upgrades to be implemented.

NERC CIP Compliance

The Black•Gate installations achieve NERC CIP compliance with a combination of internal and external functions.

The Management interface has the sophistication to implement comprehensive policies and privileges for administrator and user accounts.

Administrator policy includes removal, disabling or renaming.Interoperability with external functions such as Syslog, Network Timing Protocol, TACACS+ and Radius with its support for RSA SecureID delivers trusted compliance.

Black•Gate High Availability Options

Cellular Modem Option 

In order to provide wireless connectivity the Black•Gate supports USB LTE/4G/3G Modems with external Antenna connections that are approved for operation on AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile networks.

LAN Protector Option 

The LAN Protector supports connectivity to a secondary independent LAN interface. 

Serial Redundancy Switch Option

The Black•Gate has a serial redundancy option that splices into RS232 DCE to DTE connection.Serial Over IP connection provide an independent connection that can be used as a backup or a reversible migration path.