Episode 26: Managed Services Mastery: Keeping Ahead of Cyber Threats and Regulations
February 12, 2024
ProjectX: Phantom Technical Services Transforms Control Enclosures into Models of Efficiency and Safety
March 6, 2024ProjectX: GrayMatter Deploys Stratus ftServers to Fortify SCADA
GrayMatter’s Automation & Controls strategy starts with a client’s problem and works backwards
to find the best solutions from services that include PLC mapping, SCADA design, server modernization, UL-listed control panel builds, HMI creation and more.
We follow a three-phase approach to align on goals and ensure a successful outcome: Design Engineering, Implementation and Testing & Startup.
ProjectX highlights a typical use case or combination of cases from Design to Startup
THE PROBLEM
What was supposed to be minor summer storm turned into a major challenge for a Midwest company when rainwater infiltrated its control center and compromised servers that support its SCADA system.
With its SCADA servers in one location, the company had to spend days restoring systems and manually operating and monitoring equipment that runs 24/7 and is spread across multiple sites.
To avoid a similar service interruption in the future, the company sought help from GrayMatter to design and implement a redundant, fault-tolerant (FT) server system using Stratus ftServers and network-attached storage deployed at each remote site.
THE SOLUTION
Redundant Backups
Deploy Stratus ftServers at each remote site
Instant Data Recovery
Install Veeam network-attached storage (NAS) to restore unstructured data with no interruption
Modernization Parity
Cost of redundant Status ftServer program far less than cost of PLC infrastructure
BIG WINS
In the final phase of the project, GrayMatter works with customers to make for a seamless “cut over” from the previous servers to the Stratus ftServers.
“Now they have a robust, redundant server system that can operate without interruption and without jeopardizing their data regardless of whether they experience a power outage, flood or other unexpected event,” says Adrian White, GrayMatter’s General Manager of GE Support & Managed Services.
With the new servers and network-attached storage in place, the client ensures redundancy and opens some new ROI opportunities.
"A robust, redundant server system that can operate without interruption and without jeopardizing their data regardless of whether they experience a power outage, flood or other unexpected event."
Lower fees
Only one OS is required for redundant systems, reducing existing licensing fees
Product Agnostic
Industry-standard x86 processors and memory support Microsoft, Red Hat and VMware OS
Better Status Visibility
Self-monitoring and self-diagnosing systems simplify issue management
Replacement Parts
Components are easily replaced and hot-swappable