eCOM 205: Introduction to DNP3 Protocol and Troubleshooting

eCOM 205 provides an introduction to the DNP3 protocol. Students will learn its message structure and communication methods. They will also troubleshoot common communication issues by analyzing real-world sample data stream captures. The goal of the course is for students to be able to identify common DNP3 communications issues and resolve them to optimize data collection and control.

Audience

This course is designed for automation and communications engineers or technicians who implement and maintain SCADA and IED communications using the DNP3 protocol.

Agenda

• Protocols Fundamentals for Industrial Control Systems
• Distributed Network Protocol: DNP3
• Communications Monitoring With Wireshark
• DNP3 Message Format
• Using Wireshark on Serial- and Ethernet-Based Data Captures
• DNP3 Security and Conformance
• Using Wireshark to Troubleshoot Communications

Learning Outcomes

At the conclusion of this course, students can:

• Identify the main components of a communications protocol.
• Define components of DNP3, such as objects, groups, and variations.
• Compare and contrast event and integrity polling.
• List some advantages of using DNP3 protocol.
• List commonly used IIN flags.
• Recognize the main purpose of a Device Profile Document.
• Identify the main display panes in Wireshark and their usage.
• List the advantages of using Wireshark.
• Analyze captures of a DNP3 data stream to resolve communications issues.

Student Background and Knowledge

Before taking this eLearning course, we recommend that you have basic computer skills using Windows applications and knowledge of typical data types used in utility and industrial machine communications.

Course Preparation

Make sure your laptop has Wireshark packet analyzer installed.