Frontline® Gears Up for Supporting Smart Grid Communication Technologies

February 2011
News Release
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Frontline® Gears Up for Supporting Smart Grid Communication Technologies

Charlottesville, Virginia, USA – February 1st, 2011 – Frontline, a world leader in protocol analyzer test tools, has updated its NetDecoder™ protocol analyzer tool to support a wide array of Smart Grid communication technologies. Diagnosis and troubleshooting support for Saia-Burgess S-Bus, BACnet and IEC-60870-5-102 communication technologies are now included.

Frontline’s NetDecoder analyzer already supports other Smart Grid related communication technologies such as DNP3 (both Serial and Ethernet) and the IEC-60870 protocol suite. The IEC-60870-5-102 is used along with the 101, 103 & 104 protocols mainly in the electric distribution and transmission SCADA networks. DNP3 and the IEC protocol suite form the backbone of most Smart Grid SCADA communications.

On the consumer end of the Smart Grid, communication technologies such as BACnet and S-Bus provide connectivity to design smart, sustainable and energy-efficient homes and buildings. The NetDecoder analyzer had previously supported the BACnet (PTP, MSTP and Ethernet variants) protocols as a separate add-on. Now by making these protocols a standard part of the product, Frontline reiterates its commitment to providing the best testing tools for all Smart Grid communication technologies.

The Smart Grid will consist of multiple interconnected networks, each utilizing its own communication technology. The NetDecoder analyzer is uniquely positioned to help product developers and network administrators across the entire Smart Grid. The NetDecoder analyzer can capture, analyze and diagnose serial, ethernet and other industrial bus technologies covering the entire range of wired communication networks.

Frontline is also offering its enhanced NetDecoder analyzer at a reduced pricing. This price reduction reflects Frontline’s focus on the Smart Grid technology eco-system. Frontline recognizes the diversity of the Smart Grid technology community ranging from Utility companies running SCADA networks to Consumer Electronics companies building devices for future homes. The new pricing makes the NetDecoder analyzer a great value proposition across the entire spectrum of Smart Grid communication users.

About Frontline
Frontline is the world's leading provider of PC-based protocol analyzers for special-purpose data communication networks. Whether your application is a factory or field based industrial control and SCADA network or building automation network, Frontline's NetDecoder protocol analyzer will help you isolate, identify, and fix communication problems with precision and accuracy. Frontline is a Rockwell Automation Encompass Product Partner.

Web: www.fte.com/NetDecoder

Frontline and NetDecoder are trademarks of Frontline Test Equipment, Inc.

©Copyright 2011 Frontline Test Equipment, Inc. All rights reserved. Debug Communications Faster! is a service mark of Frontline Test Equipment, Inc. Frontline is a registered trademarks of Frontline Test Equipment, Inc. NetDecoder is trademarks of Frontline Test Equipment, Inc. Other trademarks and trade names are those of their respective owners.

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