A clustered automation platform includes a plurality of distributed autonomous junction boxes connected to a master autonomous junction box, wherein each of the distributed autonomous junction boxes is configured to connect to one or more process measurement and control devices. The clustered automation platform also includes a fault-tolerant local area Ethernet network configured to interconnect the master autonomous junction box with a fault-tolerant input/output system server and a fault-tolerant control server. The clustered automation platform also includes a plurality of virtual local area networks partitioned from the fault-tolerant local area Ethernet network, a plurality of virtual control modules virtualized from the fault-tolerant control server, and a plurality of virtual operation areas virtualized from the fault-tolerant input/output system server. The clustered automation platform also includes real-time DDS middleware configured to interconnect hardware components with virtual components of the clustered automation platform.