Microwall IO
Secure communication for machines and systems
Secure communication = secure operation - The Microwall IO firewall uses appropriate rules to protect your critical machines or systems from undesired/harmful access. Communication from and to the island is restricted to what is essential for operation, thereby significantly reducing the potential attack area. Harmful events such as load spikes, broadcast storms etc. remain locally limited and have no effects on the other respective segment.
Digital in-/outputs integrate remote maintenance and firewall-specific actions in automation and process environments. PLC outputs or simple switches can be used for example to control VPN access, certain firewall rules or the status of the network interfaces. The outputs enable external visualization of messages and events such as an activated VPN access.
Secure commissioning - In contrast to many other routers which often permit unrestricted outgoing data communication, the Microwall VPN blocks any cross-network data traffic. In Discover mode outgoing communication attempts of the island-side connected devices and including the associated host name of the destination server are documented. Permitted destinations are used with a mouse click to create a release rule, whereas undesired communication remains blocked.
Secure remote access via VPN - For remote maintenance and remote access to the island network the Microwall VPN provides a WireGuard®-VPN endpoint which can be operated actively as a VPN client or passively as a VPN server.
More info: More about how the firewalls work can be found here.
Properties
Interfaces:
- 2x Ethernet 100/1000BaseT
- Autosensing/Auto-MDIX
- High data throughput
- max. 900 mbps in router mode, max. 300 mbps VPN
- 2 switching inputs + 2 switching outputs
- 24V inputs + outputs
- Outputs drive up to 500mA
Connectivity:
- 2 digital inputs + 2 digital 24V outputs
- Inputs control VPN, firewall rules and network interfaces
- Outputs report for example VPN connections
- Mode: Standard router
- Integration into the routing concept of the intranet
- Static NAT can be used for 1:1 mapping of intranet IPs on island hosts.
- Mode: NAT router
- Integration of the islands via a single Intranet IP
- Discover mode
- Assisted and secure commissioning of new/unknown devices
- Recording of outgoing connection attempts including DNS host names
- Creating release rules with the click of a mouse
- WireGuard VPN server & VPN client
- Secure VPN connection to the island for Windows, Linux, Android, MacOS, IOS clients, Microwalls
- Access control of VPN clients using dedicated firewall
- Optional control of the tunnel using digital inputs
- Digital outputs indicate the VPN status
- In Client mode VPN connection to your manufacturer/service network
- WireGuard VPN Box-to-Box
- VPN tunnel between two Microwalls
- Secure connection of island networks using the intra/internet
Management & Security:
- Secure firmware concept with Secure Boot
- No uploading of manipulated firmware or third-party firmware
- Configuration via HTTPS-Only Mode
- Supports individual certificates
- Fast startup using WuTility or DHCP
- Required password without default login
- Port management for all local services
- All service/management services can be configured/deactivated
- Consistent whitelist-based firewall concept
- Filter rules based on IPv4 addresses, host names and TCP/UDP port numbers
- Rule sets can be controlled using digital inputs
- Dedicated firewall for incoming VPN connections
- Logging
- Identification of undesired communication attempts
- Network management systems
- Optional support for SNMPv2c/3 (read)
Power supply:
- External power
- Screw terminals, 24V-48V DC
- Power-over-Ethernet (PoE)
Standards & more
- Conforms to standards both in office and industrial environments:
- High noise resistance per EN 61000-6-2
- Low noise emission per EN 55032:2015 + A1 Cl. B, EN 61000-3-2 & EN 61000-3-3
- 5 year guarantee
Run modes
The Microwall IO casts sensitive components or sub-networks into a separate island network and isolates the latter from the higher level company intranet. For remote maintenance, remote support, etc. a WireGuard VPN server is available which provides selected VPN clients with secure and dedicated firewall-protected access to the island components.
All connections between the networks must use rules based on source/destination IP and the used TCP/UDP port numbers to obtain an express release. For outgoing connections host names can be used as a destination within the rules. Communication of undocumented and/or undesired services is prohibited and harmful events such as overload are kept away from the island.
NAT router mode
Similar to a traditional DSL internet connection, the entire island network is incorporated via just an IP address of the intranet into the network there. No intervention into the routing concept of the intranet is necessary. Operation of multiple island networks having the same IP ranges is also possible in this mode. This gives machines and systems manufacturers the possibility of operating internal network with a uniform series IP configuration - no cumbersome adaptations to the customer’s infrastructure.
Digital in- and outputs for control and reporting
The digital inputs enable event-based activation of VPN access or switching rule groups for the firewall. Then for example when there are equipment faults the operator or equipment controller itself can open the VPN connection to the manufacturer through a switching contact.
Standard router mode
The Microwall VPN operates like a traditional router, while the island network appears in the intranet in the form of static routing. Static NAT can also be used for 1:1 mapping of intranet addresses to fixed IPs in the island network. These island hosts thereby become quasi-local components of the intranet while still enjoying the protection of appropriate firewall rules.
Discover mode
Connection attempts on the island side to connected hosts are recorded and logged including whatever destination host names were used. For desired connections, a release rule is created just by a mouse click. Unknown, undesired or harmful connections remain blocked.
WireGuard VPN
The Microwall VPN uses the WireGuard platform as a VPN solution for remote access. Compared with other VPN solutions this offers advantages such as high data throughput and simple management with a high level of security and stability. Details and current information about WireGuard can be found at https://www.wireguard.com. The Microwall VPN can provide a VPN client or VPN server terminal point on your intranet connection. Depending on the application external WireGuard clients can dial in to the islands or the Microwall connects as a VPN client - for example into your service network.
Technical data
Connections and displays:
- Network:
- 2x 100/1000BaseT Autosensing/Auto-MDIX
- RJ45
- IPv6 on request
- Digital outputs:
- 2 x Digital Out 6V-30V, 500mA
- Short-circuit-protected
- Digital inputs:
- 2 x Digital In
- max. input voltage +/-30V
- protected against reverse connection within this range
- Switching threshold 8V +/- 1.5V
- "On" current = 2.2 mA
- Data throughput:
- Router mode (unidirectional TCP): max. 900MBit/s
- VPN tunnel (unidirectional TCP): max. 300MBit/s
- Galvanic isolation:
- Network connections min. 1500 V
- Power supply:
- Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) or
- DC 24V .. 48V (+/-10%) and
- Connections:
- 1 x 6 position screw terminal, plug-in, I/Os, RM 3.5mm
- 1 x 2 position screw terminal, plug-in, ext. power, RM 5.08mm
- 2 x RJ45 for network
- Current consumption:
- PoE Class 2 (3.84 W to 6.49 W)
- or for external supply:
- typ. 160mA @24V DC
- max. 200mA @24VDC
- Indicators:
- 2x LED System and Services
- 4x LED I/O Status
Housing and other data:
- Housing:
- Plastic compact housing for top-hat rail mount
- 105x45x75mm (l x w x h)
- Enclosure rating:
- IP20
- Weight:
- ca. 180g
- Ambient temperature:
- Storage: -40..+85°C
- Operating 0..+50°C (no stack mounting)
- Permissible relative humidity:
- 5..95% RH, non-condensing
- Scope of delivery:
- 1x Microwall IO
- 1x Quick Guide
* Our offering is intended only for commercial users. We will be happy to refer private end customers to trading partners through whom our products can be purchased.