What is IT OT Lab?
IT OT Lab is a browser-based training environment for learning industrial data integration. It simulates real Modbus TCP devices — loading bays, storage tanks, and more — and provides a full HMI/SCADA editor so you can build operator dashboards and practice reading industrial protocols.
Everything runs in the cloud. You open a browser, log in, and start working with real protocols and realistic process data.
Who is this for?
IT OT Lab is built for anyone learning to work with industrial systems:
IT professionals moving into OT or industrial integration roles. OT engineers who want to practice HMI design without tying up production equipment. Students in automation, controls, or industrial cybersecurity programs. Security researchers studying Modbus protocol behavior and SCADA vulnerabilities. Instructors who need a ready-to-go lab for their classes.
Is this free?
During the current testing phase, access is free. Request access through the contact page and you'll receive login credentials within a day.
How do I get access?
Fill out the request form on the contact page with your name, organization, and intended use. You'll receive an email granting access, and then you can log in with a one-time code sent to your email address.
What do I need to get started?
A modern web browser. That's it. The lab runs entirely in the cloud — no software to install, no Docker to set up, no licenses to manage. Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge all work.
How many students can use it at once?
The lab supports a full classroom of students working simultaneously. Everyone connects to the same simulated plant, so students can see each other's changes to devices and HMI screens. The shared environment mirrors how teams work in real industrial settings.
Is my data saved between sessions?
Device configurations and HMI projects are saved on the server. When you log back in, your work is still there. The server is backed up daily.
What protocols does the lab support?
The lab uses Modbus TCP, the most widely used protocol in industrial automation. It supports holding registers, coils, and standard data types including UINT16, INT16, UINT32, INT32, and FLOAT32 with both ABCD and CDAB word ordering.
What is Modbus TCP?
Modbus TCP is an industrial communication protocol used to exchange data between devices on a network. It's the standard for connecting PLCs, sensors, drives, and other equipment to SCADA systems and HMI displays. Learning Modbus is foundational for anyone working in industrial automation or IT/OT integration.
What is FUXA?
FUXA is an open-source web-based HMI/SCADA application. It provides a drag-and-drop editor for building operator dashboards with gauges, charts, animations, and controls. In the lab, FUXA connects to the simulated Modbus devices so you can visualize and interact with live process data.
Can I use my own Modbus client?
The Modbus server is accessible only through the lab's internal network for security reasons. Within the lab environment, you can use the built-in Data Maker interface to read and write registers, or build your own HMI screens in FUXA that poll the Modbus devices directly.
Can I create my own devices?
Yes. The Data Maker includes a YAML-based editor where you can define custom devices with your own register maps, data types, and simulation behavior. You can create anything from a simple sensor to a multi-register device with state machines and fault injection.