Achieving Interoperability In A World Of Standards

Achieving Interoperabilityin a World of StandardsComplianceDaniel E. Nordell, P.E.Xcel Energyd.nordell@ieee.orgMIPSYCON November 11, 20151

The nice thing about standards is thatthere are so many of them to choosefrom.Andrew TanenbaumMIPSYCON November 11, 20152

The Problem Vendors declare systems are “standards based” Utilities need and want “interoperability” Systems from multiple vendors that just “plug andplay” with each other – “bring your own meter”Standards compliance is necessary but notsufficient to achieve interoperabilityWe will examine what is needed to achieve trueinteroperability Start with a standard and add “secret sauce”. Systemremains proprietary.Common “profiles” along with interop certificationObjective: Help utilities become more discerningin vendor discussionsMIPSYCON November 11, 20153

The Problem for UtilitiesMIPSYCON November 11, 20154

Let’s Look at what othersare doing MIPSYCON November 11, 20155

Let’s view a couple ofvideos .Reasons for Standards (URL givenbelow) Wi-SUN (URL given below) MIPSYCON November 11, 20156

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Who Makes Standards, Anyway?Interoperability Alliances (WiFi, WiMAX, Wi-SUN)International Standards ( ISO, IEC )National Standards ( ANSI, NIST, IEEE )Industry Standards - formalized practiceIndustry Practice - informal practiceProprietary Systems - vendor specificMIPSYCON November 11, 20159

What is necessary forInteroperability? Compliance with relevant Standards Interoperability Testing Including entire stack from Physical toApplication“Plugfests”Certification by independent thirdpartyMIPSYCON November 11, 201510

Communications Using the OSI Model7 - Application Layer: Window to provided servicesMMS, FTAM, VT, DS, MHS, CMIP, RDA6 - Presentation Layer: Common data representation5 - Session Layer: Connections between end users4 - Transport Layer: End-to-End reliable delivery3 - Network Layer: routing and relaying of data2 - Data Link Layer: error-free transmissionerror checking & recovery, sequencing, media access1 - Physical Layer: physical data pathEx: RS232, Ethernet CSMA/CD (IEEE 8802-3), FDDIMIPSYCON November 11, 201511

What is a “Profile”?A Communication Profile is a list of thestandards and their options necessaryto achieve end-to-end interoperability. Variations in profile between twosystems may make them proprietary. MIPSYCON November 11, 201512

Is Security Jeopardized byInteroperability? NO“Security by Obscurity” is a flawed concept(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Security through obscurity) Security principles: Use open, publically scrutinized securitypractices – they are more secure than proprietaryschemes that don’t receive such scrutinyPublish how security is done.DO NOT Publish the Key . Just like we do with locks and doors.MIPSYCON November 11, 201513

Standards for DA andMetering IEEE 802.15.4g for Wireless Mesh (Physical andTransport)RS232 (Physical Layer)Ethernet (Physical Layer)Internet Engineering Task Force (InternetStandards) (Transport through Application)ANSI C12.18, C12.19, C12.22 for metering(Application Layer)DNP 3.0 for DA and SCADA (Application Layer)IEC 61850 for DA and SCADA (Application Layer)MIPSYCON November 11, 201514

Interoperability SuccessStoriesBar Codes Wi-Fi WiMAX DNP IEC 61850 And Many More . MIPSYCON November 11, 201515

Interoperability Promised ANSI C12.18, C12.19, C12.22Non-interoperable interpretations Lack of profile agreements Lack of 3rd party testing Wi-SUNPhysical Layer certifications released Transport Layer certifications soon ZigbeeFlawed profile model failed in Zigbee 1.0. (My Opinion) Will be superseded byInternet of Things and Wi-SUN MIPSYCON November 11, 201516

Who Certifies? Physical and Transport Layers: Wi-Fi Alliance (http://www.wi-fi.org) (Physical)WiMAX Forum (http://www.wimaxforum.org/) (Physical)Wireless Smart Utility Networks (Wi-SUN) Alliance(Physical and Transport) (https://www.wi-sun.org)Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) (Transport)(https://www.ietf.org)Application Layer: UCA International Users Group for IEC 61850(Application Layer) (http://www.ucaiug.org)North American End Device Registration Authority(NAEDRA) for metering (Application Layer)(http://www.naedra.org)Distributed Network Protocol (DNP) Users Group(Application Layer) (https://www.dnp.org)MIPSYCON November 11, 201517

For Further Reading World Without Standards video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v TaxWfz MB2AInteroperable Standards: ITSI es]CTI Interoperability Testing ETSI.pdf Consider a world without standards d-withoutStandards/ Wi-SUN wi-sun-allianceoverview.pdf Wi-SUN videohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v B dfHB5kVroMIPSYCON November 11, 201518

Maswali ?MIPSYCON November 11, 201519

ANSI C12.18, C12.19, C12.22 Non-interoperable interpretations Lack of profile agreements Lack of 3rd party testing Wi-SUN Physical Layer certifications released Transport Layer certifications soon Zigbee Flawe