Page History
H2: Monitoring 300+ Remote
...
Stations
A major midstream operator needed to modernize monitoring across hundreds of remote pipeline stations while maintaining 24/7 operations. Legacy RTUs required expensive middleware, limited data collection, and provided no local intelligence.
[Architecture Overview]
H2: EdgeConnect-Driven
...
Field Architecture
Deployment Pattern
EdgeConnect at each station (300+ sites) on CISCO routers
Enterprise Unlimited at control center
DataHub Stations at regional hubs (6 locations)
...
EdgeConnect deployed in Cisco IR1101 routers (reduced hardware footprint)
Local SQL database for 30-day historian at each site
Store-and-forward for satellite communication resilience
UNS architecture with Sparkplug B for auto-discovery
[Technical Specifications]
H2: Architecture Components
Component | Specification | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
Edge Nodes | EdgeConnect in Cisco routers | 300+ |
Protocols | Modbus RTU, DNP3, HART | Multiple |
Data Points | 50-200 per site | 35,000 total |
Update Rate | 1 second local, 30 second to center | Optimized |
Storage | 30 days local SQL | Per site |
Redundancy | Store-and-forward, dual path | All sites |
[Implementation Details]
H2: Edge Intelligence Configuration
...
System-wide visualization
Predictive analytics
Regulatory reporting
Integration with PHMSA compliance systems
[Data Flow]
H2: UNS Architecture
Field Level: Sensors → PLCs/RTUs → EdgeConnect
Edge UNS: Local namespace definition, context added
Regional UNS: Area aggregation via DataHub Station
Enterprise UNS: Complete operational view via Enterprise Unlimited
Cloud Integration: Select KPIs to Azure for corporate dashboards
[Results Achieved]
H2: Measured Outcomes
Operational Improvements
...
Sub-second local response times
30-day edge autonomy during communication loss
Automatic configuration deployment to new sites
Native integration with existing SCADA without replacement
[Scalability Path]
H2: Growth Architecture
Phase 1 (Completed): 300 pipeline stations
Phase 2 (In Progress): Add 150 compressor stations
Phase 3 (Planned): Integrate 50 storage facilities
Future: ML models for predictive maintenance
All phases use same architecture pattern with no redesign required.
[Bottom Section]
H2: Build This Architecture
Deployment Time for Phase 1: 8-12 weeks for 50 sites
Current Stage: 300+ sites
Required Products: EdgeConnect ($750/site), Enterprise Unlimited ($11,900), DataHub Station ($2,000 x 6)
Total Architecture Cost: ~$250,000 for complete 300-site system
1. The Problem
Challenge: Operate and observe hundreds of distributed midstream sites with PLCs and intermittent, bandwidth-limited links—while keeping on-site autonomy and ensuring a unified, secure, and scalable publish/subscribe model for corporate operations, analytics, and alarms.
...