SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING INDUSTRIAL PROCESS CONTROL DATA STREAMS OVER NETWORK LINKS

A data acquisition service on a network node is disclosed for forwarding received process data to a process history database over a potentially slow and/or intermittent network connection. A store and forward functionality within the networked node receives incoming process data via a first network interface and forwards outgoing process data via a second network interface. The disclosed store and forward functionality includes an immediate transmission cache and a store and forward storage. The store control enters, in response to detecting an entry condition, an activated mode wherein incoming process data is directed to the store and forward storage. A read control forwards outgoing process data to the second network interface from the immediate transmission cache and store and forward storage. The read control includes at least a first configurable parameter that constrains a rate at which data retrieved from the store and forward storage is forwarded via the second network interface.