Small network for XCP-NG including PLC acesss

Networking & Firewalls
1

Hi,

I would like to build a small lab network for running Docker containers and virtual machines in order to experiment with a PLC that provides an OPC-UA data stream. The PLC is fixed to the 100.127.250.0/24 network, and I cannot change this IP range.

I already have a Cloud Gateway Max and an HPE MicroServer Gen10. My plan is to install XCP-ng on the HPE to host the various tasks (VMs, Docker, etc.).

I’ve watched Tom’s videos on similar setups, but I’m still a bit uncertain about the best way to handle the PLC and its network range. Specifically:

  • Should I connect the PLC directly to the HPE MicroServer?
  • Should I connect the PLC directly to the Cloud Gateway Max?
  • How should I plan the network design (IP ranges, VLANs, etc.) to access the PLC’s data stream effectively?

Any guidance or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Inspiration from GitHub - lawrencesystems/Draw_IO_Diagrams: Diagrams used in my YouTube Videos

Unavngivet diagram-The Entire Lab
Unavngivet diagram-The Entire Lab434×695 55 KB

2

Add a second switch to the XCP-ng host, and put that connection on the same network as the PLC so they can talk to each other, put a router on it if it needs to get out to the internet on that network.

3

Another switch would make it easier as you could do as @Greg_E said. Also, when setting up the VM on XCP-ng put two NIC’s on it, one in your systems network range and the other in the range of the PLC.