(Part Number – CEP-007-2232-01) BlackTube RS232 CEP – Converts RS232 serial data connections into AES encrypted IP packets – Encrypted RS232 Over IP – Engage

Description

Overview

The Black•Tube CEP RS232 converts RS232 serial data connections into AES encrypted IP packets, extending the serial data over very cost effective Ethernet or MPLS based LAN/WAN/MAN wired and wireless networks. Synchronous, Asynchronous, Isochronous or HDLC serial data is encrypted then encapsulated into IP packets. This facilitates the interconnection of Serial Data over IP between Serial Bulk Encryptors (KIV7/OMNI), Data Terminals, Data Acquisition Systems, WAN Routers and Bridgesand SCADA RTUs.

Layer 1 with Isochronous Support

In Layer 1 operating mode every bit is encapsulated into an IP packet. The size and frequency of the IP packets can be set with data bit rates from 75 bits to 256 kilobits per second. Isochronous serial protocols, such as Conitel, are transported synchronously to maintain message alignment. A configured number of incoming packets are buffered in order to compensate for the packet delivery jitter introduced by the network. The size of the Tube bit buffer is configurable to accommodate the peak amount of jitter.

Asynchronous Over IP

Asynchronous characters from the RS232 interface with 5 to 8 data bits, baud rates from 1.2 to 38.4 kilobits, 1 or 2 stop bits that are with or without parity are efficiently encapsulated into IP packets. The encapsulation supports block mode transfers to minimize the bandwidth required. Additionally the latency is controlled by setting the Tube Bytes per packet.

HDLC Over IP

In Layer 2 operating mode HDLC Data frames, such as those used by Wide Area Networking protocols PPP and Frame Relay or proprietary Data Links, are transported within IP packets as HDLC over IP. The Serial to Packet conversion only occurs when HDLC frames are active.

SCADA Protocol Transparency

The Black•Tube CEP transports Bit or Byte orientated SCADA protocols transparently because of its unique TDM circuit emulation capability.+

Assured Delivery Protocol

In order to assure high quality communications over links with
intermittent or noisy performance, such as Wireless. • Packet out of sequence detection and re-sequencing• Duplicate skipping• Lost packet retransmissions with configured delay

Protector Option -PRO

The protector option utilizes the second LAN interface as a redundant path for the interconnection of the IP encapsulated RS232 data. The extension of the RS232 has a fault tolerant link that is configured to always on, or with
switch over criteria.

Applications

Black•Tube CEP RS232 Utility Applications

NERC -CIP mandates control center redundancy. RTUs must be accessible from, and be able to connect to, multiple control centers. Black•Tube CEP continuously monitors connectivity to the active control center and automatically switches to the active backup control center (1 to 4 supported).

– Meets NERC mandates for control center redundancy
– Preserves investment in RTU and Central site SCADA
– Facilitates control center redundancy with IP flexibility 
– Supports up to four redundant control centers
⁻ Redundant and diverse connectivity

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Black•Tube CEP Multidrop

In order to minimize the number of analog telephone circuits required to connect Data Center Front End SCADA controllers to Substation Remote Terminal Units Multi-Drop communication protocol was implemented. The CEP Multi-Drop feature allows a single RS-232 SCADA host connection to communicate with up to 8 remote terminals over a packet based network

The Black•Tube CEP transparently supports Multi-Drop by simultaneously transmitting IP packetized Front End SCADA messages to up to eight remote Black•Tube CEPs. The Black•Tube CEP connected to the addressed RTU detects a control signal and sends the SCADA response back to the Serial interface connected to the Front End polling port.

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WAN Data Over IP

Black•Tube SER RS232 provides a transparent bandwidth regulated IP Tunnel for securely interconnecting remote Networks. WAN Protocols, such as PPP and Frame Relay, that utilize HDLC framing are encapsulated with HDLC Over IP. Broadband Service providers are able to transport Enterprise Wide Area Network connections with inband management of the Committed Information Rates. The Black•Tube SER RS232’s IP Tunnel can also be utilized as a secondary path for fault tolerant mission critical applications.

Black•Tube CEP Management

Management Module

Black•Tube CEP isolates management and data plane functionality with the use of two separate processor modules. Management processor access is limited to encrypted sessions via SSH, or SNMPv3, that employ AES 256 bit keys and sophisticated NIST passwords. These sessions may be established after authentication via TACACS+ or Radius.

The independent Linux based management plane of the Black•Tube CEP ensures Critical Infrastructure Data is isolated from management network access. The Management Module uses internal serial ports to connect to the Data Plane processor.
Administration and User Logs are available with Syslog. 

CEP management security features include:

• Administrative policies for adding, removing, disabling and renaming authorized users; limiting user access to assigned commands; and enabling only desired port numbers.

• User authentication directly or in conjunction with TACACS+ or RADIUS servers including RSA SecureID support for two factor trusted compliance.

• An SSH command interface encrypting management traffic with powerful 256 bit symmetric keys and NIST based passwords.

• Support of the SNMPv3 protocol for secure connectivity to SNMP element managers.

• In addition, administrative accounting data can be reported to syslog servers with accurate timestamps provided by an NTP source.

NERC CIP Compliance

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

Internally the Management Module software 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.

Electronic Security Perimeter

The Black•Tube CEP in combination with industry standard services meets the Electronic Security Perimeter’s NERC CIP-005 specifications. In addition Control Plane isolation from the Data plane provides a higher level of security for the Cyber Assets.