- Acts as the Master for the Outstation(s)
- Acts as Outstation for the Master
DNP3 is a communication protocol used in SCADA and remote monitoring systems. DNP3 stands for Distributed Network Protocol 3rd version. It is widely used because it is an open protocol, meaning any manufacturer can develop DNP3 equipment that is compatible with other DNP3 equipment. Because DNP3 was designed to support communications with geographically dispersed facilities, it is also used extensively by the oil and gas, water, and wastewater sectors to communicate with distribution and transmission facilities. It supports communications between station computers, RTU, IED. DNP3 also:
- Provides features and functions missing from Modbus
- It is an open protocol, therefore numerous vendors support it
- Most often uses TCP, but also supports UDP
- Uses Port 20000
- Traffic is sent in plain text
- Does not provide for authentication or authorization
- Originally designed to operate on serial communications, but has been migrated to work on IP
Data Concentrator
- Acts as the Master for the Outstation(s)
- Acts as Outstation for the Master
Copyright: Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)