Quang Binh PC is one of 7 power companies under Central Power Corporation using SCADA/DMS software of Survalent, which is allowed to use Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP). SNMP is a simple and widely used network management protocol in the Network system, helping administrators to monitor, get information, be notified and impact the operation of the network system. SNMP is designed to simplify the management of network components, so it can be developed promptly and cost-effectively.
Currently, with high requirements for the development of the power grid system, the SCADA/DMS system is increasingly focused on investment and upgrading activities. Therefore, in the Network system, there will be many devices with different operating parameters. The requirement for the administration team is to both monitor the connection and exchange of data between devices in the system, in order to monitor the operation status and prevent risks in information security. To realize this, users can use 3rd party solutions such as PTRG software, SOLARWINDS, ZABBIX, NAGIO, etc., (are network monitoring software of famous brands in the world with high cost). However, to ensure information security when deploying 3rd party software on OT (Operator Technology – Internal network system for Power system) network is not a small challenge, etc.
Detailed cross-sectional diagram of SCADA/DMS network system of Quang Binh Control Centre
Stemming from the above fact, based on the existing status of the Quang Binh Survalent SCADA system, Quang Binh PC has built and researched a solution to monitor the operation and detect anomalies of the SCADA Network system since August 2020, without having to invest in a 3rd party network monitoring system. Thereby, it can ensure reliability during operation, and at the same time help the control center staff in monitoring the system only by a single software.
The main and auxiliary devices of the Quang Binh Survalent SCADA network all are supported with SNMP protocol. To connect to get data, the SNMP function shall be enabled on each device. To select the necessary data when analyzing a system, engineers shall use the software to find the corresponding OID code for each signal. This process requires meticulousness and insight into systems and protocols. After the OID code of each signal is detected, the raw data configuration will be declared on the SCADA system.
From the parameters collected above, the following shall be performed: setting alarm levels, building a monitoring interface, creating code for calculation, storing it on the Survalent system and providing analysis when detecting abnormal incidents.
After nearly 1 year of testing the solution, Mr. Hoang Minh Thang - Head of Dispatch Department of Quang Binh PC said: “The above solution has taken advantage of the existing SNMP protocol on the SCADA/DMS system of Quang Binh Survalent, so it is integrated and cost-effective. Thereby, the operating engineer can monitor the overall connection pattern, the operating status of the devices, early detect abnormalities in the system and have the optimal handling plan, ensuring the SCADA/DMS information system operate continuously and reliably, best serving the dispatching and operation of Quang Binh province's power grid system”.
After nearly one year of testing the solution, Mr. Hoang Minh Thang - Head of Dispatch Department of Quang Binh PC said: “The above solution has taken advantage of the existing SNMP protocol on the SCADA system, so it is integrated and cost-effective. Through that, the operation engineer can monitor the overall connection model, the operating status of the devices, detect abnormalities in the system early and have an optimal treatment plan to handle it, ensuring the SCADA/DMS information system operates continuously and reliably, best serving the dispatching and operation of Quang Binh province's power grid system".
This solution is also applicable to power companies that have SNMP licenses of SCADA Survalent software or others.