Moving from proprietary control systems to open, multi-vendor automation takes more than a new architecture, it takes a computing platform proven in real industrial operations. See how ASRock Industrial’s iEP-5000G and iEP-7000E Series provide a scalable foundation for Distributed Control Nodes (DCNs), supporting ExxonMobil’s journey from large-scale validation to commercial deployment. At the Baton Rouge Lighthouse Project, the iEP-7020E powered the DCN computing layer in an architecture with more than 100 DCNs and 1,000+ I/O points, working alongside control, I/O, and orchestration technologies from multiple vendors. The same DCN technology was subsequently deployed at ExxonMobil’s Anchorage Chemical Terminal (ACT), which entered production in June 2026. Together, these projects show how Open Process Automation can move beyond technology validation into real-world commercial deployment.

From distributed process control to machine vision, AI, and intelligent automation, the iEP-7000E Series delivers scalable processing, flexible industrial connectivity, and rugged reliability for demanding edge workloads. With multi-LAN connectivity, configurable industrial interfaces, and Intel^® TCC and TSN support on selected models, the series is designed for time-sensitive communications and distributed control. For advanced AI applications, the latest iEP-7050E delivers up to 180 total platform TOPS and supports up to 128GB DDR5 memory with Intel^® In-Band ECC. In Open Process Automation, the iEP-7020E was deployed in ExxonMobil’s COPA 500 Lighthouse Project, supporting more than 100 DCNs and 1,000 I/O points, and was subsequently adopted in the ACT commercial deployment, demonstrating the scalability of the iEP-7000E Series for large-scale and new-build OPA applications.

When industrial systems operate across process plants, remote facilities, and hazardous locations, reliable computing is only part of the requirement. The iEP-5000G Series combines rugged, fanless industrial computing with flexible connectivity and deterministic networking capabilities for distributed control and critical automation. For multi-vendor Open Process Automation, the iEP-5010G-010 offers independently certified O-PAS™ Standard conformance. ASRock Industrial has also achieved IEC 62443-4-1 certification for its secure product development lifecycle, with the iEP-5010G achieving IEC 62443-4-2 Security Level 2 (SL2) and the iEP-5010G-DCN achieving Security Level 3 (SL3). The iEP-5010G-DCN also adds ATEX Zone 3, IECEx and UL C1D2 certifications for hazardous locations, providing a secure and reliable foundation for open, multi-vendor automation architectures.