The Basics of Modbus Monitoring with PRTG Network Monitor (With Custom Sensor Script)

Article explains how Modbus/TCP works and shows how to monitor Modbus/TCP enabled devices with PRTG Network Monitor

The Modbus protocol has been around forever (since 1979 to be exact) and is used by many industrial systems, but also energy systems like heat pumps and solar converters. Initially it was used via serial communications, then – in 2007 – a TCP based version was created that communicates via TCP, usually using port 502.

The following article explains how Modbus/TCP works and shows how I can monitor Modbus/TCP enabled devices with PRTG Network Monitor using a simple PowerShell script.

I wish I could share a one-size-fits-all script that just works for most people. But unfortunately this task usually requires some hacking and coding…

Continue reading “The Basics of Modbus Monitoring with PRTG Network Monitor (With Custom Sensor Script)”

Monitoring solar panels and our home’s energy usage/mix via Modbus using PRTG (ft. SMA Sunny Island and SMA Sunny Tripower)

We have solar panels on our roof which are able to generate a peak power of 10 kW. An energy controller controls the converter, our heat pump and our battery with the goal that most of the solar energy is used locally. First we use the solar energy in our home, we charge the 230V-battery, and we load the heat storage tank. Only if even more solar power is generated we send the rest into the grid.

To visualize this and I am monitoring this system with PRTG using the Modbus protocol.

Continue reading “Monitoring solar panels and our home’s energy usage/mix via Modbus using PRTG (ft. SMA Sunny Island and SMA Sunny Tripower)”

A low-cost, always-on mini dashboard on my desk

On my working desk I wanted to have an always-on screen with the current status of the systems and KPIs that I am monitoring all the time. Of course I did not want to run a PC all the time, so I needed something “lighter”.

I also wanted something made from out-of-the-box systems, not an arduino system that I would need to solder together with the risk of hurting myself.

In this post I will share how I created my little desktop dashboard for around €350.

(Yes, of course my desk always looks this tidy…!)
Continue reading “A low-cost, always-on mini dashboard on my desk”

Wie schütze ich mich online?

Wie ich als Privatperson und Selbständiger mit den eigenen Daten umgehe

Stand: Januar 2018

Im folgenden Dokument möchte ich beschreiben, mit welchen Strategien ich meine persönlichen Daten und Konten schütze. Dabei geht es um den Schutz…

  • …meiner Identität (=nur ich darf als ich handeln, posten, kaufen, usw.)
  • …meiner persönlichen Daten (=wer darf welche Daten sehen?)
  • …meiner Dokumente (=wie stelle ich sicher, dass meine Dateien, Fotos, usw. nicht verloren gehen?)
  • …meiner Handlungsfähigkeit (=wie stelle ich sicher, dass ich weiterarbeiten/agieren kann, wenn es zu einem Desaster kommt?)

Ich bin ja eher faul und bequem, aber allzu leichtfertige Abkürzungen am Computer können schnell sicherheitskritisch werden. Daher wende ich die folgenden Strategien an um mich ausreichend abzusichern. Ich könnte auch mehr oder weniger tun, am Ende muss jeder nach seinem eigenen Sicherheitsbedürfnis handeln.

Continue reading “Wie schütze ich mich online?”