Edge Architectures
The Ignition Edge system is unique in that it can be very flexible and fill in the gaps in any system architecture. Ignition Edge is a smaller version of the standard Ignition install. Edge is used to sit at the edge of a network and do a few specific tasks like client failover or push MQTT data.
Up to 35 days or 10 million data points of Tag History can be stored locally with an Edge installation. Prior to 8.1.34, local storage was limited to 7 days. Alarm Journal and Audit Log data is still limited to 7 days of storage.
Each Edge product (Panel and IIoT) offers specific functionality that works best in certain scenarios. The diagrams show some architecture options using Edge. Additionally, these architecture diagrams show an Edge Gateway paired with an Ignition Gateway, which shows how an Edge system architecture can be added on to any of the other Ignition architectures.
Panel​
Edge with the Panel product can act as a stand-alone panel by simply connecting to a local PLC and building a basic screen. When paired with a central Ignition Gateway, the Edge can also act as a local client fallback, providing control on site in the event of a lost network connection.
Edge IIoT​
Edge with the IIoT product (formerly MQTT) provides a simple way of setting up an MQTT Publisher next to a PLC, allowing it to connect to a greater IIoT architecture. Here you can see multiple types of devices using Ignition Edge to connect in the network.
Edge IIoT as a standalone Edge Gateway to publish device data from the edge of the network to an MQTT broker:
Edge IIoT as an Edge Gateway to publish device data from the edge of the network to an MQTT broker:
Edge IIoT and Edge Panel together to add a local client at the edge of the network and to publish data to an MQTT broker:
Shared Functionality​
Edge Sync Services​
Ignition Edge Sync Services, included with either the Edge IIoT or Panel product, acts as a limited remote server that synchronizes data from the edge of the network to a central Ignition server.
Edge EAM​
Edge EAM, also included with either the Edge IIoT or Panel product, acts as a remote EAM Agent Gateway and can easily combine with any other Edge edition for central management.