# PROSIM in the Cloud: Remote Automation Training Platform with Virtualized Infrastructure
## 1 Introduction
One-to-one mapping between the electrical diagrams corresponding to the control scheme and the software implementation is performed. Faults can be simulated as well as parametrization of the time constants corresponding to the physical equipment characteristics for increased realism. The touch panel system allows intuitive interaction by the students and fast visual feedback of the process simulation state. Various modelling languages and tools can be used concurrently for systematic discrete (Grafcet, Petri Nets) or continuous control system design (feedback control using technical computing software such as MATLAB and Simulink). The solution is compatible with both proprietary and open-source solutions through standards-based communication and software libraries for Modbus implementation and additional simulation developments. Within a recent context of integrating new technologies and models into industrial automation training systems, this article emphasizes the following contributions:  
* Design and implementation of a fully software-based, yet realistic, system for remote automation training using simulated process models, interfacing of input-output signals through IIoT-enabled Open Platform Communications-Unified Architecture (OPC-UA) communication and simulated commercial-grade PLC development environment (B&R ARsim);
* Integration of the proposed solution within the HUBCAP collaborative cloud sandboxing environment and highlighting platform features and resource metrics. The main differentiation of this work in comparison with a considerable body of knowledge concerned with e-learning, virtual and distance learning solutions for university-grade and technical training in automation technology consists in the deep component-level integration which allows full replicability and porting of the implemented routines once the physical hardware becomes available. Through the functionalities of the HUBCAP cloud environment, inter-sandbox exchanges are possible, which opens up the possibility of extending the PROSIM solution with related models and tools published by compatible third parties, e.g., dynamic discretized plant models with suitable control narratives and io lists to be connected to the virtual PLC using the PROSIM launcher and software libraries. The rest of the article is structured as follows: Section 2 is dedicated to a review of the state of the art that frames our contributions within the existing scientific and technological developments; Section 3 presents a detailed perspective on the industrial process simulator development and the components that enable a fully virtualized solution in the cloud; Section 4 introduces the HUBCAP sandboxing environment with detailed technical aspects that support the deployment of the PROSIM applications in a virtual machine; Section 5 illustrates, in detail, implementation aspects for representative process simulations, industrial communication primitives and PLC application development along with the operation of the fully software-based solution in the sandboxing environment. Section 6 concludes the article together with lessons learned and future potential developments.