Collect
Software gathers readings, reports or logs from your equipment.
SOURCE NETWORK → SENDERDATA DIODE SOLUTIONS / TSINFRA INDIA
Data diode security.
One direction.
A stronger boundary.
Your factory can share its story without opening a door back in. A "Hardware data diode" lets information travel in one direction through hardware-enforced security, enabling secure "OT IT one way communication".
ONE-WAY TRANSFERHARDWARE BOUNDARYOPERATIONAL VISIBILITY
THE ONE-WAY PRINCIPLEILLUSTRATED
Information moves forwardReverse path absent
01 / A SIMPLE IDEA. A PHYSICAL BOUNDARY.
A one-way window
into your operations.
You can see what is happening inside a protected network without sending commands back through the same link. Think of an “OT data diode” as a unidirectional network data diode that works like a delivery chute, carrying information out while protecting “OT security”.
Send as light
In an optical diode, the transmitter turns the data into light pulses.
TRANSMITTER → OPTICAL FIBRECross one way
The link has no matching hardware path to carry a reply backwards.
HARDWARE-ENFORCED DIRECTIONMake it useful
Receiving software rebuilds the information for your dashboard or reporting tools.
RECEIVER → DESTINATIONFor technical teams: what happens to TCP and acknowledgements?
Ordinary TCP needs two-way communication. A unidirectional gateway commonly uses software proxies that terminate sessions on each side and replicate supported data across the one-way transport. A local acknowledgement is not proof that the remote destination received the data.
Supported protocols, buffering, retries, integrity checks and delivery guarantees depend on the product. An optical link is a common implementation; verify the actual hardware design and supported connectors for your application.
EXPLORE A SPECIFIC REQUIREMENT
Find the right starting point.
02 / FIND YOUR STARTING POINT
Different requirements.
One clear conversation.
Choose the right solution based on the problem you need to solve. These “industrial data diode” solution areas can overlap within the same deployment to strengthen secure network protection.
THE PHYSICAL BOUNDARY
Optical & hardware
For a one-way data path enforced by the device’s physical design.
Understand the hardware →THE OPERATING ENVIRONMENT
Industrial / OT
For taking useful readings out of control systems and into monitoring tools.
Explore industry examples →THE INFORMATION YOU SHARE
Files, logs & telemetry
For moving specific information with suitable gateway software and connectors.
Explore the integrations →THE EVIDENCE YOU REQUIRE
High assurance
For projects with defined evaluation, certification or acceptance requirements.
Know what to verify →A QUICK START FOR EVERYONE
What would you like to do?
Pick a goal. We’ll show an example and the next question to ask.
VISIBILITY WITHOUT A RETURN CONTROL PATH
See your equipment. Keep control local.
Send readings to a business dashboard while the diode prevents commands returning over that link.
Factory readingsOne-way boundaryMonitoring dashboard
The next question
Which equipment readings need to leave, and how often?
Try it in the lab →03 / LESS THEORY. MORE “OH, I GET IT.”
Your one-way security lab.
Send a reading. Try a return command. Break the connection. See how each action demonstrates secure “OT IT one way communication” and the protection provided by a “Hardware data diode”.
CHOOSE A LAB SCENARIO
Share motor temperature with the office without allowing a return motor-control command.
PROTECTED SIDEFactory floor
Motor temperature64.0 °C
Sample equipment ready
Sample readings originate here.
DATA CAN TRAVEL
DATA DIODEOne-way hardware
× ← NO RETURN PATH
A report can cross.
A return command cannot.
INFORMATION SIDEOffice dashboard
Last received temperature— °C
Waiting for the first reading.
0 sent0 received0 reverse attempts blocked
Ready when you are. Click “Send one reading” to begin.
Educational simulation · No real equipment is connected. This demonstrates direction and visibility, not a hardware security test or a product’s delivery guarantees.
04 / SPEAK YOUR SYSTEM’S LANGUAGE
What information
needs to cross?
A “data diode” provides the direction through hardware-enforced control, while gateway software enables supported applications to work across it. This combination strengthens “hardware security” and helps explore the difference between secure one-way data transfer approaches.
IN EVERYDAY LANGUAGE
OPC UA: a shared language for machines.
Industrial systems use OPC UA to exchange structured values and events, such as temperature, machine state and alarms.
EXAMPLE DATA
Motor-07 · Temperature · 64.0 °CWhat to confirm with the supplier
The supported OPC UA model, tags, update rate, authentication and gateway replication behaviour. Client/server sessions cannot simply pass unchanged through a one-way link.
Educational examples, not a list of confirmed TSINFRA product capabilities. Connector support and end-to-end behaviour must be checked for the selected solution.
Technical view: where the network conversations stop
Source applicationLocal session⇄Sender proxyCollects / prepares data→ONE-WAY LINK→Receiver proxyReconstructs data⇄Destination applicationSeparate local session
Two-way application conversations can exist locally on either side. They do not create a two-way end-to-end session through the diode. Exact architecture depends on the gateway and connector.
CAPACITY IS A REQUIREMENT, NOT JUST A PORT SPEED
1G or 10G? Start with your workload.
Count your data sources, normal traffic and peak bursts. Then test the complete application path.
Interface rate is not guaranteed usable throughput. File sizes, connectors, processing, buffering and recovery requirements affect performance. These are planning examples, not available model specifications.
05 / WHERE VISIBILITY MATTERS
Keep the insight.
Protect the operation.
Useful wherever teams need to monitor critical systems while preventing a return control path through a "Hardware data diode" connection.
Power & utilities
Share turbine readings and substation alarms with monitoring teams.
Plant telemetry → Operations dashboard
Oil & gas
Export pressure, flow and equipment health from operational networks.
Pipeline readings → Analysis tools
Water & treatment
Monitor pump status and water-quality readings from outside the control network.
Treatment plant → Reporting team
Manufacturing
Bring production counts and maintenance data into business dashboards.
Factory systems → Business reporting
Transport
Publish equipment status for operational visibility and maintenance planning.
Operational status → Monitoring centre
Government & defence
Support approved transfers between security domains, with additional controls as required.
Approved source → Approved destination
One technology. Several useful jobs.Equipment telemetrySecurity log exportHistorian replicationControlled file transfer
Illustrative applications. Data direction, content controls and supported integrations must be designed for each deployment.
06 / DIFFERENT TOOLS. DIFFERENT JOBS.
A checkpoint checks.
A diode removes the return path.
A data diode is one part of a complete security design. It does not replace every firewall application, endpoint control, or content filter.
Firewall
Like a staffed checkpoint: “firewall applications” use defined rules to determine which traffic may pass. They usually support two-way communication through policy-controlled connections”.
POLICY-CONTROLLED CONNECTIONSData diode
Like a physically one-way delivery chute: a “data diode” allows information to cross only in the permitted direction. There is no return path through that hardware-enforced direction.
HARDWARE-ENFORCED DIRECTION| Technology | Its main job | How it differs from a diode |
|---|---|---|
| Firewall / NGFW | Filter connections and inspect traffic | Permitted sessions typically exchange data both ways. |
| IDS / IPS | Detect threats; an IPS can block them | Detection does not physically remove the reverse path. |
| VPN | Encrypt communication | Encrypted connections still usually allow two-way access. |
| DLP | Control sensitive information leaving | Examines content; a diode enforces direction. |
| Air gap | Keep networks disconnected | A diode has a permanent one-way connection. |
| Cross-domain solution | Enforce transfer policy between security domains | May combine a diode with validation and content filtering. |
07 / PROOF, NOT JUST A BADGE
Ask what was
actually evaluated.
There is no single certification required for every deployment. Requirements depend on the customer, country, security classification, and tender specifications.
Common Criteria
Check the exact model, version, security target and evaluated configuration. An assurance level alone is not the whole story.
ISA/IEC 62443
For industrial cybersecurity, check the certified component, system or development process and the standards covered.
FIPS 140-3
Relevant when validated cryptography is required. It validates a cryptographic module, not the diode’s one-way property.
India & customer approvals
STQC provides Common Criteria certification services. Check the project’s tender and acceptance requirements. Supplier ISO certificates do not certify diode hardware.
08 / FROM AN IDEA TO EVIDENCE
Prove the fit.
Then plan the deployment.
A proof of concept (POC) is a small, agreed test to evaluate whether a “data diode” solution meets your real requirements. Here is a suggested path to discuss with our team.
- 01
Define the goal
Identify the data, direction, systems and business outcome.
- 02
Review the design
Check protocols, boundaries and required assurance evidence.
- 03
Agree the tests
Set measurable checks for transfer, latency and failure handling.
- 04
Run the trial
Use representative data in an agreed test environment.
- 05
Review the results
Document gaps, acceptance criteria and the deployment decision.
The useful question is not just “Did data arrive?”
Discuss a POC ↗Also test missing data, duplicates, link failure, recovery, administration and the absence of a reverse path.
TAKE THE QUESTIONS WITH YOU
Practical planning checklists.
No sign-up needed. Download a short text checklist for your next discussion.
09 / GOOD QUESTIONS
Let’s make
it clear.
From the first explanation to the deployment discussion.
Ask our team ↗What is a data diode, in one sentence?
A device that allows information to cross a network boundary in one direction only, typically enforced by hardware.
Is it just a firewall with stricter rules?
No. A firewall uses rules to permit or block traffic. A hardware diode removes the reverse communication path across its link. They address different needs and can be used together.
Can I monitor my factory and control it remotely?
You can export readings for monitoring. You cannot send control commands back through that outward-only diode. Remote control needs a separately designed and assessed access path.
What kinds of data can travel?
Examples include equipment readings, security logs, historian data and files. The gateway’s software connectors determine which applications and formats it supports.
How does it know the data arrived without a reply?
The destination cannot acknowledge receipt back through the diode. Products use different combinations of local proxies, buffering, redundancy and error detection. Check the product’s delivery guarantees; do not assume that “sent” means “received.”
Does it stop every attack or prevent all data leaks?
No. It prevents reverse communication across that link. It does not automatically inspect permitted content, protect every endpoint or secure other connections. An outward-facing diode can still carry sensitive data out unless appropriate content controls are in place.
Is this lab connected to a real data diode?
No. It is an educational browser simulation using sample values. It illustrates the principle, not the security or performance of a physical product.
Will a data diode work with my existing systems?
That depends on protocols, required direction, throughput, latency and whether your applications need replies. Start by listing the information you want to transfer and the systems that send and receive it.
Which certifications should I ask for?
Ask for the requirements applicable to your project, then verify certificates for the exact product and version. Common Criteria, relevant IEC 62443 certification and cryptographic validation may matter. None should be assumed mandatory for every installation.
YOUR NEXT STEP / TALK THROUGH YOUR REQUIREMENT
Start with what
you know.
You do not need a finished network design. Tell us your goal and share the technical details you already have.
- Explore whether a diode fits your application
- Discuss a proof of concept
- Share a tender or assurance requirement
Not sure about a technical field?
Leave it as “Not decided.” We can start with the business problem.
Prefer a conversation?
+91 9319882292
START WITH YOUR DATA FLOW
What needs to leave?
What must never come back?
Tell us about your systems, the information you want to share, and the boundary you need to protect.