How to control Siemens LOGO PLC through mobile network (4G, 5G...)?

[p247]

Hello everyone

I'm currently working on a project to control a Siemens PLC using my smartphone, connected to a mobile network. The PLC is a Siemens LOGO. For those who don't know it, it can be controlled using a website that's created in a program called 'LOGO web editor'. You can then connect the PLC to your computer using an ethernet cable, such that the PLC has access to the same wireless network as your PC (so that's wifi). If you then enter the PLC's IP address into your browser search bar, you can go to the website you created and control the PLC.

So basically, the manufacturer's idea is for you to control the PLC from your web browser using a wireless network, so just your home- or company wifi. But as I said, what I need to do is control it through a mobile network (4G, perhaps 5G...).

I've only just gotten into exploring the basic concepts of networking (gates, switches, IP-addresses, subnetting, port-forwarding, etc). I'm looking for someone to help me on my way to explore this solution. So, could someone point out what I'd need to know or try to get something like this to work? Because honestly, I don't even know where to begin.


Note: I know Siemens itself has a module to control the PLC through a mobile network, but that's not what I'm looking for!!

[deanwebb]

The key here is that the 4G/5G network is not the same as a home-based IPv4 network, so you need some sort of gateway between the LTE and the traditional IP network. However, LTE networks already interface with the Internet, so if the IP of your home is reachable via the Internet - and I recommend no less than a VPN or SASE for security's sake - then it's simply opening a browser on your phone and going to your home IP address and interacting with the page. If you lack security controls, I guarantee that others will also interact with that page.

[Dieselboy]

Just to add to Deans post,
It looks like you're wanting to call the LOGO device from the PC. But the issue you have is that the LOGO device has unknown IP info when it has an internet connection provided via 4G/5G.
What you'll need to do is get a small router with 4G/5G connectivity and then make an automatic VPN from this router back home to a device, like a PC or router. Then your PC will be able to access the LOGO device over 4G/5G via a private VPN

In the past Ive used the matchbox-sized GL-iNet routers from Amazon / China. They run OpenWRT and can utilise a 4G USB and launch an automatic VPN when it boots up.