Overview of the DNP3 Protocol
The development of DNP3 was a comprehensive effort to achieve open,
standards-based Interoperability between substation computers, RTUs, IEDs
(Intelligent Electronic Devices) and master stations (except inter-master station
communications) for the electric utility industry. Also important was the time frame;
the need for a solution to meet today's requirements. As ambitious an undertaking
as this was, we reached this objective. And since the inception of DNP, the
protocol has also become widely utilized in adjacent industries such as water /
waste water, transportation and the oil and gas industry.
DNP3 is based on the standards of the International Electrotechnical Commission
(IEC) Technical Committee 57, Working Group 03 who have been working on an
OSI 3 layer "Enhanced Performance Architecture" (EPA) protocol standard for
telecontrol applications. DNP3 has been designed to be as close to compliant as
possible to the standards as they existed at time of development with the addition
of functionality not identified in Europe but needed for current and future North
American applications (e.g. limited transport layer functions to support 2K block
transfers for IEDs, RF and fiber support). DNP3 has been selected as a
Recommended Practice by the IEEE C.2 Task Force; RTU to IED Communications
Protocol.
DNP3 was developed by Harris, Distributed Automation Products. In November
1993, responsibility for defining further DNP3 specifications and ownership of the
DNP3 specifications was turned over to the DNP3 Users Group, a group
composed of utilities and vendors who are utilizing the protocol.
DNP3 is an open and public protocol. In order to ensure interoperability, longevity
and upgradeability of, protocol the DNP3 Users Group has taken ownership of the
protocol and assumes responsibility for its evolution. The DNP3 Users Group
Technical Committee evaluates suggested modifications or additions to the
protocol and then amends the protocol description as directed by the Users Group
members.
Complete documentation of the protocol is available to the public. The four core
documents that define DNP3 are: Data Link Layer Protocol Description, Transport
Functions, Application Layer Protocol Description and Data Object Library (referred
to as the "Basic 4 Document"). The Users Group also has available to members
the document "DNP3 Subset Definitions" which will help implementors to identify
protocol elements that should be implemented.
Features of DNP3
DNP3 offers flexibility and functionality that go far beyond conventional
communications protocols. Among its robust and flexible features DNP3 includes:
Output options
Secure configuration/file transfers
Addressing for over 65,000 devices on a single link
Time synchronization and time-stamped events
Broadcast messages
Data link and application layer confirmation
DNP3 was originally designed based on three layers of the OSI seven-layer
model: application layer, data link layer and physical layer. The application layer is
object-based with objects provided for most generic data formats. The data link
layer provides for several methods of retrieving data such as polling for classes
and object variations. The physical layer defines most commonly a simple RS-232
or RS-485 interface.
DNP3 is very efficient for a layered protocol while ensuring high data integrity.
Modbus MMS/UCA IEC 60870-5-
Feature DNP
RTU 2.0 T101
OSI 3-layer model
Users > 500 1000's < 100 100's
Designed for utility environment
User group & technical
committee
Revision control on final
documentation
Defined protocol test
documentation
Independent protocol verification
programs
Migration path to enhanced
architectures
Time synchronization & time-
stamped events
Multiple masters & peer-to-peer
Limited
operations
Unsolicited slaves do not need to
be polled
Segmentation of messages
Secure file transfer
Broadcast messages
User defined data objects
Benefits of DNP3
Because DNP3 is based on the IEC 870-5 requirements, DNP3 is suitable for
application in the entire SCADA environment. This includes RTU to IED
communications, master to remote communications, and even peer-to-peer
instances and network applications.
Being an object-based application layer protocol, DNP3 has the flexibility to
support multiple operating modes such as poll-response, polled report-by-
exception, unsolicited responses and peer-to-peer. It permits multiple masters and
encourages distributed intelligence.
Users can expect many benefits from using DNP3. In the short term:
Interoperability between multi-vendor devices
Fewer protocols to support in the field
Reduced software costs
No protocol translators needed
Shorter delivery schedules
Less testing, maintenance and training
Improved documentation
Independent conformance testing
Support by independent users group and third-party sources (e.g. test sets,
source code)
In the long term, further benefits can be derived from using DNP3, including:
Easy system expansion
Long product life
More value-added products from vendors
Faster adoption of new technology
Major operations savings
DNP Users Group
The DNP3 Users Group is a forum for users and implementers of the DNP3
protocol. The main activities of the User Group are to assure the ongoing evolution
of the protocol, that it continues to meet the changing needs of the users. We have
an annual general meeting in North America, usually in conjunction with
DistribuTech in February/March.
The DNP User Group Technical Committee is an open volunteer organization of
industry and technical experts from around the world. This committee actively
conducts its agenda by teleconferences and holds a formal annual meeting. The
Committee releases regular Technical Bulletins that are essential for any
implementor. The Committee's meeting minutes and technical bulletins are
available for download in the Members Resource Center area of this web site
(restricted to members).
Some major objectives of the User Group are:
to maintain control of the protocol and determine the direction in which the
protocol will migrate
to review and add new features, functions and enhancements to the
protocol
to encourage vendors and utilities to adopt the DNP3 protocol as a
"standard"
to define recommended protocol subsets
to develop test procedures and verification programs
to support implementor interaction and information exchange
Active Members of the DNP3 Users Group have free access (via the Members
Resource Center of the site) to all protocol documents, document updates,
technical committee bulletins and minutes, and other relevant publications and
documents.
User Group members also have access to the online Discussion Forum. This
service lets members post messages which can be read by all members of the
Users Group and serves as a discussion area for DNP3 technical and commercial
issues.
