ifm edgeDevices – the answer to many of your digitisation questions

Edge devices are network components located at the “edge” of the network topology. From an IT infrastructure perspective, they are the access points to automation networks, known as OT (Operational Technology) networks. The aim is to exchange data between the very different IT and OT networks while at the same time avoiding mutual interference. Primarily, edge devices are used to make data and information from the automation environment, i.e. from sensors, PLCs and other automation components, available in the IT environment. ifm edgeDevices also perform several other important tasks, such as data pre-processing, reducing data volumes and analysing data streams. For this, ifm offers two different approaches - the edgeGateway and the edgeController - which are both optimised for specific requirements.