TEL-STER Sp. z o.o. | System SCADA | Oprogramowanie | Automatyka | Wizualizacja

TelCOMM software is a tool designed for B2B exchange of documents using AS4 protocol, the implementation of which at gas counterparties market results from the European Commission Regulation (EU) 2015/703 from 30 April 2015 which establishes a network code, being a principle of interoperability and data exchange.

Introduction

AS4 Protocol (Applicability Statement 4) is a standard that describes secure and reliable sending of messages over Internet public network. This protocol is based on well-known and acknowledged solutions, such as protocols HTTP, TLS, SOAP and web services. It represents an open standard for B2B data exchange described in OASIS ebMS 3.0 specification. The elements responsible for security and reliability of transmitted data are digital signatures and encrypting mechanisms (WS-security).

Architecture

TelCOMM software is a solution addressed for MS Windows Server, based on subsystem IIS and .NET Framework 4.8 or newer. Interaction with the program is done via HTTPS and the version of used TLS protocol for message sending is 1.2 or 1.3. TelCOMM has an embedded SQLite database or it can use Oracle database.

Software consists of three components:

web interface accessible from web browser, that allows configuration and interactive exchange of documents,
web service /WebServices/Gateway.asmx, that allows exchange of documents initiated from external program,
web service /MSH.asmx/Receive, that allows reception of documents from partners.

Web interface

The main screen of program provides functionality of sending documents using AS4 One-Way/Push MEP (message exchange pattern) using defined P-Mode (Processing Mode).

protokół AS4 | AS4 | B2B| Edigas | EDIG@S

Figure 1. Screen "Send" - after response analysis

Second screen is for downloading data from partner with AS4 Two-Way/Push-Pull, Two-Way/Sync or One-Way/Pull MEP.

protokół AS4 | AS4 | B2B| Edigas | EDIG@S

Figure 2. Screen "Download" - after response analysis

Web interface includes received and sent messages screens, allowing viewing and managing of every received and sent message.

Administrators have access to additional screens:

Logs – AS4 communication errors and users activity information,
Partners – friendly name for partner,
Processing Modes (P-Modes) – configuring AS4 communication between partners,
Users,
Database – choosing SQLite or Oracle,
Options.

User interface is available in Polish and English.

Interface for external application

TelCOMM software can act as an gateway for B2B communication, through which another application can automatically send and receive AS4 messages, because it provides its functionalities in web service /WebServices/Gateway.asmx.

Gateway.asmx example methods:

SendByPModeName,
GetUnreadPushMessagesIds,
GetMessages,
MarkAsRead.

Receiving messages from partner

The relative address of method that is used as a reception point for all incoming AS4 messages is /MSH.asmx/Receive.

Communication configuration

AS4 communication between partners is configured by defining a P-Mode (Processing Mode).

AS4 | B2B| Edigas | EDIG@S

Figure 3. Screen [P-Mode] details

Automatic update of certificates

Automatic update of certificates is a required module of an AS4 software operating on European gas market. Its aim is to automate the process of updating used by partners certificates to newer ones, usually in situation of approaching certificate expiration date.

Specification

AS4 profiles: ENTSOG 3.6, ENTSOG 4.0, BDEW
Message Exchange Patterns (MEP):

Initiating and responding: One-Way/Push, Two-Way/Push-Pull
Only initiating: One-Way/Pull, Two-Way/Sync

Algorithms:
- Digest methods (hash): sha1, sha256, sha384, sha512
- Digital signature:
- Data encryption:
- Key encryption:
- Compression: gzip
[ReplyPattern]: Response (synchronous), Callback (asynchronous)
[SecurityTokenReference]: BinarySecurityToken X509v3, BinarySecurityToken X509PKIPathv1, IssuerAndSerialNumber, SubjectKeyIdentifier
[ebCore Agreement Update]: yes, for certificates
Multiple attachments in message: yes
One [P-Mode] for both directions (when both partners use same certificate for signing and encryption): yes
Certificates validation: OCSP/CRL (optional)
Server and client TLS certificate: yes (optional)
Architecture: Microsoft Windows Server, IIS, .NET Framework 4.8, HTTPS, TLS 1.2 and 1.3
Database: SQLite, Oracle
Interaction with program: web browser for users, web service for external programs
Integration with Microsoft Defender: yes (optional)
Language in user interface: Polish, English.

GS2TelCOMM plugin

GGS2TelCOMM is an optional extension to TelCOMM software supporting the process of downloading measurement and aggregated data, shared by Gaz-System using AS4 protocol with the use of message exchange pattern Two-Way/Push-Pull or alternatively Two-Way/Sync.

Architecture of GS2TelCOMM is the same as of TelCOMM, it also has an own embedded SQLite database or it can use Oracle database. Plugin supports in the field of generating data requests and analyzing responses specific for Gaz-System, also in automatic and cyclical downloading of data by defining downloading schedules. Obtained data can be viewed on one of the screens or it can be downloaded from web service. In case of installing the extension, in TelCOMM’s navigation bar there will appear position “Gaz-System”.

Products

TelCOMM - tool designed for B2B exchange of documents using protocol AS4

TelCOMM users manual

GS2TelCOMM users manual