2025-04-24

In today’s high-stakes manufacturing environments, network security is just as vital as machinery uptime and production flow. Traditional routers built for office use fall short in industrial automation settings — where dust, vibration, temperature extremes, and malicious cyber threats are everyday concerns. Enter the Stratix 5900, a hardened, security-focused router tailored for industrial control systems.

Let’s explore how this device offers unmatched protection, connectivity, and integration for your factory network.

Industrial Firewall Designed for Automation

The Stratix 5900 goes far beyond traditional firewall capabilities. Built specifically for industrial networks, it filters traffic based on industrial protocols, protecting your PLCs and machines from unauthorized commands.

• Zone-Based Firewall: Segments network traffic into security zones

• Protocol-Aware Filtering: Recognizes and filters automation-specific protocols

• Industrial-Grade Control: Blocks suspicious device commands, not just IPs

Deep Packet Inspection (DPI)

Unlike basic firewalls that filter traffic by address, DPI examines the content within each packet. This allows it to detect attacks that hide inside legitimate-looking commands.

• Blocks harmful instructions before they reach control devices

• Detects abnormal traffic patterns and system scans

• Validates trusted protocol structure for secure machine-to-machine communication

Built-In VPN for Remote Access

Remote monitoring and support are essential — but they must be secure. The Stratix 5900 supports both IPsec and SSL VPNs, enabling encrypted remote access to your automation systems.

• Secure logins for off-site engineers and technicians

• Safe diagnostics and updates across multi-site operations

• Eliminates risk from unprotected remote desktop tools

NAT: Masking Your Network Internals

Network Address Translation (NAT) adds a layer of protection by hiding your internal device structure from the outside world.

• Simplifies system expansion without reconfiguring IPs

• Protects internal device layout from external visibility

• Maps many internal addresses to a single external one

Engineered for Harsh Environments

Designed for the realities of industrial life, the Stratix 5900 is built to thrive where office routers fail:

• Hardened Housing: Resistant to dust, vibration, and impacts

• Temp Range: Operates in -25°C to 60°C conditions

• DIN Rail Mountable: Easy integration into control panels

• Redundant Power Input: Maintains uptime during power interruptions

Seamless Integration with Rockwell Automation

Tightly integrated with Rockwell Automation ecosystems, the Stratix 5900 is designed to communicate effortlessly with Stratix-managed switches and Allen-Bradley controllers.

• Port-Based Security and Storm Control: Supports stable and secure data exchange

• Redundancy Protocols: Keeps systems connected even during disruptions

• FactoryTalk and Logix Integration: Eases setup and ongoing management

Cloud-Ready for IIoT Connectivity

The move toward predictive maintenance and cloud-based analytics requires secure cloud transmission. The Stratix 5900 makes this transition seamless and secure.

• Enables real-time cloud uploads for performance monitoring

• Supports remote diagnostics and predictive maintenance workflows

• Keeps control system data protected in IIoT applications

Advanced Security Add-ons

The Stratix 5900 isn’t just firewall and VPN — it’s a full industrial security package:

Access Control Lists (ACLs)

• Define exactly who and what has access to each network segment

• Prevent unauthorized communication between workstations and control devices

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

• Adds an extra step beyond passwords for user verification

• Secures system access via tokens, codes, or biometrics

SSL/TLS Encryption

• Protects sensitive data during web-based configuration

• Ensures encrypted transmission of passwords and setup changes

Intrusion Prevention System (IPS)

• Scans traffic for known cyberattack patterns

• Flags and blocks brute-force attempts and malware signatures

• Protects legacy automation hardware lacking built-in security

Final Thoughts

The Stratix 5900 delivers the power, resilience, and intelligence today’s factories demand. It safeguards your most critical infrastructure with protocol-level filtering, encrypted access, and integrated diagnostics — all within a rugged enclosure designed to last.

Whether you're modernizing an old plant or building out a smart facility, this security appliance is a cornerstone of a safe, connected, and future-ready industrial environment.

Want expert guidance on deploying the Stratix 5900 or exploring the full Stratix lineup? Contact PLG Automation today:
Email: sales@plgautomation.com
Phone: 800-906-9271