Description of the HERMES system

The purpose of this document is to describe the HERMES system, which ensures the connectivity and interoperability between the IT applications of railway companies and organisations operating on different IT platforms.

It comprises the following components: 

- Data transmission network (HERMES VPN)

- Standards for communication protocols (HOSA)

- Cloud IT services, offered by Hit Rail's IT platform (IT Services).

In order to make it possible for railway undertakings (RUs), infrastructure managers (IMs) and other railway organisations to use the HERMES system and to communicate with one another, it is necessary to establish mandatory specifications for the connection characteristics for network access and security, communication protocols, and interoperable cloud IT services. 

These specifications must strictly be observed by all users of the HERMES system, in order to realise the benefits of a shared, managed communication and interoperable data exchange system for the European railway community.