• Not Answered

VIMNet Explorer on Domain Controller, Yes or No?

Hello,

I've heard the VIMNet Explorer software needs to reside on a non domain controller machine (like the Application Server and not the Proplus).  But I can't find documentation to support such a statement.  Does anyone have or point me to a Mynah approved document? After doing a word search, the Mynah knowledge base does not have but 2 article that mentions a "domain".  Thanks

5 Replies

  • VIMNet Explorer is installed on the ProPlus domain controller at most of my plants. Not aware of any issues.
  • I have installed it on the application station which is the back up domain controller numerous times without an issue
  • In reply to Jason.Brumfield:

    As long as you have a spare NIC that you can connect to your Industrial network switch you should be fine. I've seen it done several times on a backup DC with no issues.
  • In reply to Jason.Brumfield:

    From a security point of view, the VIMNet Explorer should be running on a machine dedicated to the devices network where the VIMs are connected to. You can easily create a loop between L1 and L2 networks or degrade network segmentation by using DeltaV stations as the configuration platform for the devices network. This is even more concerning when the DeltaV station of choice is the domain controller (or backup) which can be unnecessarily exposed to external networks without any perimeter protection in this case.

    I agree that technically the VIMNet Explorer application may run without performance or functional issues on DeltaV stations, but this is not the best practice.
  • I installed the VIMNet Explorer on our site "PLC Programming Laptop". Since it's kind of a Set and Forget system, we've never had much need to revisit the VIMNet after installation.