opDINrail

opDINrail is an open-source framework designed to manage devices mounted on DIN rails in industrial automation. It provides a modular software stack and a hardware abstraction layer intended to run on standard embedded or edge devices that fit on a DIN rail. The project aims to standardize device discovery, configuration, and communication across a range of DIN-rail sensors, actuators, and controllers, reducing engineering effort and improving maintainability.

The architecture of opDINrail centers on a core runtime, a collection of device drivers, and protocol adapters, all supported by a flexible configuration and management layer. The core runtime handles device discovery, lifecycle management, event handling, and persistent configuration. Protocol adapters enable communication through common industrial protocols such as Modbus, OPC UA, and CANopen, while device drivers provide support for individual devices or device families. A hardware abstraction layer isolates application logic from platform-specific details, enabling deployment on Linux-based single-board computers, industrial PCs, or microcontroller platforms that are compatible with DIN rail mounting.

Development and licensing are typically community-driven, with open-source licensing and publicly accessible repositories. The project encourages contributions, documentation, and testing across diverse hardware platforms to broaden interoperability and reliability in real-world installations.

Common use cases for opDINrail include small to mid-size automation cabinets, building management systems, monitoring and control applications, and rapid prototyping or testing environments. By offering a standardized interface for DIN rail devices, opDINrail aims to streamline integration, improve maintainability, and support scalable automation deployments.

See also: DIN rail, industrial automation, open-source hardware, OPC UA, Modbus.