Virtual machines

Virtual machines (VMs) are an abstraction of physical hardware, turning one server into many servers. Essentially, they are software emulators that provide the functionality of a physical computer. Their technology allows multiple instances of operating systems (OS) to run on a single physical machine, where each VM operates independently and is isolated from the others. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

Purpose

The primary purpose of virtual machines is to maximize the utilization of computing resources, such as memory and processing power, by distributing them among multiple virtual environments. This allows for:

• Running multiple operating systems on a single physical machine.
• Testing and development environments where different environments can be emulated.
• Consolidating server hardware by hosting multiple service-oriented VMs on a single physical server.

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Although multiple virtual machines run on a single computer they are formally isolated. This means no data is shared between them. The mutexer platform only supports dedicated VMs that are fully isolated on all products.

Key Features

• Isolation: Each VM is isolated from its host and other VMs. If one VM crashes, it doesn’t affect the others.
• Snapshotting: VMs can be saved at a particular state (snapshot). You can return to this state at any time, which is ideal for testing and backup.
• Portability: VMs can be easily moved, copied, and assigned to different hardware, aiding in disaster recovery and system migration.
• Resource Allocation: Resources (CPU, memory, storage) can be dynamically allocated and adjusted according to the needs of each VM.

INFO

The VMs deployed on the mutexer platform are highly available as they are automatically failed over to other hardware in the case of failure.

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It is possible to resize VMs created on the mutexer platform in the even that the allocated resources are insufficient.

Use Cases

VMs are used to consolidate and manage the various software systems and applications required for automated manufacturing and processing. Here are several examples of use cases where VMs are particularly beneficial in industrial automation:

Control System Consolidation

Scenario: Multiple control systems, such as SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition), PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) programming environments, and HMI (Human-Machine Interface) software, running on separate hardware can be consolidated onto a single physical server using VMs. This reduces hardware costs and simplifies system maintenance.Benefits: Eases management, reduces physical space requirements, and lowers energy consumption.

Development and Testing of Automation Software

Scenario: Developers can use VMs to create isolated environments for the development and testing of automation software, firmware, or PLC programs without the need for physical controllers or risking the operational environment. Benefits: Increases the efficiency of development cycles, reduces the risk of introducing errors into the production environment, and allows for testing in multiple OS environments.

Legacy System Integration

Scenario: Industrial facilities often rely on legacy software systems that may not be compatible with modern operating systems. VMs can be used to run these legacy systems alongside newer applications on the same physical hardware. Benefits: Preserves investment in legacy systems while enabling integration with modern technologies, ensuring continued operation without costly hardware.

Training and Simulation

Scenario: VMs can be used to create virtual replicas of industrial environments for training purposes, allowing operators to gain experience with control systems and software without affecting real production. Benefits: Enhances operator training and safety by providing a risk-free environment to learn and experiment.

Disaster Recovery and Redundancy

Scenario: In industrial automation, downtime can be extremely costly. VMs can be rapidly cloned or moved to another physical server in the event of hardware failure, minimizing downtime. Benefits: Improves system reliability and uptime, essential for continuous manufacturing processes.

Patch Testing and System Updates

Scenario: Before applying updates or patches to control systems, they can be tested in a virtual environment to ensure compatibility and prevent potential disruptions. Benefits: Ensures the stability of the production environment and reduces the risk of unexpected downtime due to software updates.

Flexible Manufacturing Systems

Scenario: VMs can support flexible manufacturing by allowing quick reconfiguration of control software to accommodate different products or processes without the need for physical changes to the control hardware. Benefits: Enhances the adaptability of manufacturing lines to changing product demands, contributing to lean manufacturing initiatives.

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Virtual Machines can be created on demand on the mutexer platform. Your can find more information on this service in the Atlas section of the docs.

These use cases demonstrate the versatility of virtual machines in industrial automation, providing solutions that improve efficiency, reliability, and innovation in manufacturing and processing environments.