PLC/HMI connection to the Internet

[automationprogrammer]

I am working on an application to connect GE Cimplicity HMI with a web server option to the Internet for remote control of an industrial process. I am interested in advice that anyone has on the following:

1. Options for connecting to the Internet. I have looked at dial-up (need a static IP I think) and DSL/ISDN/Broadband (a bit expensive).

2. I believe that all I need is a connection (most likely will use DSL), a router/firewall, and the web server. Is that it??

3. Options for connecting small PLC's or HMI's to the Internet. This isn't an application that warrants an expensive high bandwidth connection yet I need 24x7x365 connectivity. Most of the connection plans offer web hosting, email, etc that I do not need. Do any ISP's provide cheaper plans with just connection to the Internet?

 

[Electromechanical30]

If you have a PC on this system, you can connect remotely over the internet with a remote viewer.

Seeing that you'd like to keep this as inexpensive as possible, I'd "VNC" into a PC on your private network then run diagonstics from there.

You can download VNC viewer and server for free from

http://www.realvnc.com

(you will need broadband and static IP, but no web server. This is a remote desktop service)

Regards

 

[automationprogrammer]

Thanks Electromechanical30...

I do have a PC in the system. It runs an HMI package with a built in web server. I have been using PC Anywhere to dial in to the PC for remote access and could use VNC if I had a broadband connection.

What I am hoping to find is a service provider that can provide an inexpensive ($30-40/month) always on connection with a static IP so I can publish pages from the HMI's web server.

The client just can not afford a broadband ($70-90/month) connection and does not really need fast performance. We are just trying to post the status of a of couple analog points for remote viewing via the Internet.

Any thoughts?

 

[Electromechanical30]

Depending on you location, cable high speed internet is rather inexpensive. I am in the Milwaukee, WI metro area and our cable broadband is $35/month.

Does your client have an internal LAN that you could tap into?

 

[automationprogrammer]

They have an internal LAN but it is not connected to the outside world in any way. The site is just a small pump station in a rural area. DSL is the only broadband option in the area. With a static IP address the local phone company wants $90 per month. Seams like a lot for the amount of information we are getting from the station.