SEH Technology's INU-100 USB Device Server Enables USB Connectivity over Industrial IP Networks

SEH adapts its high-speed USB-to-Network technology for smart industrial applications, with a rail-mounted form factor for control cabinets, redundant power supplies and a change-over relay

With two USB 3.0 SuperSpeed ports, the INU-100 USB device server extends USB-to-PC connectivity from the five-to-ten-meter limit of a physical USB cable to the unlimited reach of an IP network. While doing so, it serves critical industrial deployments with high-availability features. The INU-100 transfers data at unmatched speeds of up to 100 MB/s for one device or up to 40 MB/s per port for two devices in a Gigabit network.

In a resource-sharing scenario, the INU-100 gives multiple users remote, one-to-one access to a USB-connected device, which can be anything from a storage peripheral to such things as video cameras, DVR burners or license dongles, to name a few examples. In an Industrial IoT scenario, it enables system designers to use USB-connected sensors, actuators or cameras, for example, in place of more expensive, network-ready equivalents. With a serial-to-USB adapter, the device server also can pull data from many of the RS232 or even RS485-connected devices still commonly found in industrial environments.

In any of these scenarios, by relocating the data-collecting computer to a remote site, the INU-100 eliminates an on-site PC maintenance and administration burden. More important, it removes a broad attack surface from the industrial network edge. This is a top-of-mind and growing security concern ever since the first of several highly publicized hacking incidents took place through cameras and HVAC systems.

The INU-100 is made for installation in control cabinets via industry-standard, 35-mm top-hat rail housing. Its high-reliability features include:

• Redundant connection to two selectable power supplies (12 V to 48 V)

• Configuration automatically backed up to microSD card for quick swap-out

• Integrated change over (CO) relay, which can activate or deactivate a device in response to defined state changes or events, or manually via web browser

• Remote administration via HTTPS, email and SNMP

• Error notification via SNMP traps, email, or relay switching.

• Guarantee of up to five years