Working From Home? Learn How to Connect to the RTDS Simulator Remotely

• The standalone configuration can be used as the base and then build up to connect to the main network.
• RTDS simulators are configured using static IP addresses provided by the user’s IT department.
• With the RTDS simulator reconfigured with the new IP addresses provided by IT department, the RTDS simulator can now be connected to the main network. This will allow anyone connected to this network to access the RTDS simulator and run simulations.
• It also allows for other users in physically distant locations to run simulations if they are able to VPN/remote desktop. VPN network should be setup to connect to the main network through a firewall for safety of the main network. Typically (but not always) the VPN and firewall are one device.

Advantages of VPN Network

• Anyone with a VPN client can keep their RTDS cases and data local to their PC.
• Does not require as much physical infrastructure because there’s no need for a local workstation or jump server.
• If you use an open source VPN solution, such as OpenVPN, it can be fairly inexpensive to deploy.
  
  

Disadvantages of VPN Network

• Because of the way VPNs are usually implemented, the connected PC is usually connected to an adjacent routable network, rather than being connected directly to the RTDS network. This means that these workstations will normally not be able to see non-routable protocols such as IEC 61850 GOOSE or IEC 61850 SV. These protocols are often used by the GTNET card, and it’s useful to be able to see them using Wireshark on a PC. However, because of the way routed VPNs work, this is not possible.
• VPNs effectively extend your security perimeter out to the PCs. So the PCs also need to be secured.