Downloading PLC programming from laptop over 4G via VPN

Hi everyone,

I have a scenario where I need to download PLC programming from my laptop, which is connected to a 4G network, to a PLC that's connected to a router network at a remote site. I'm considering using a VPN connection to establish this communication, with my laptop acting as the VPN client and the router at the site serving as the VPN server.

I'd like to inquire if this approach is feasible and seek any guidance or suggestions from experienced forum members.

this is very much doable and industry standard.

a lot of consumer and industrial routers allow to run a openVPN server. If you use a gli.net product, they even provide free of charge ddns service, to deal with non static public IP addresses.

You just need to use openVPN connect on your laptop and download the ovpn configuration from the router.

The Siemens way would be to use a scalance S615, but it is not very friendly to setup. Where the scalance series really shines is with an external Sinema RC server. If you have more than 2 remote sites and/or need connectivity between them, look into it. 

I only ever plug in to a LAN during first addressing of a PLC, afterwards I work exclusively over VPNs, just because I cant be bothered by ethernet cables. We are looking into deploying vxlan, this will even allow me to never connect directly to a PLC.

Hello 22th

Which PLC do you use?

Here is a overview to remote VPN solutions:

https://support.industry.siemens.com/cs/ww/en/view/26662448

Bye Murof