5 Steps for Network Enabling Serial Devices

Instruments and devices like card readers, PLC's, power meters and data acquisition modules support RS-232 and RS-485 communication. These devices can be used with computers, controllers or PLC's for logic and computing applications. RS-232 and RS-485 Serial Device Servers offer the flexibility and convenience of Internet enabling RS-232 and RS-485 devices. Internet enabling allows you to communicate with serial devices from remote locations or over Ethernet networks. Most RS-232 and RS-485 devices can interface with Windows based data acquisition software through Virtual COM ports. Setting up serial to Ethernet device servers is easy and can be done in less than five minutes. First you power up the device and then you set the IP address. Then you map the virtual communication ports. After you do that the serial devices can be used with your computer in the same way a standard communication port, like your USB port for example.

Here are 5 Steps for Network Enabling Serial Devices:

1.     Power up the serial device server either with the appropriate DC voltage or with a Power over Ethernet Switch if the device server supports PoE. TDS-715 for example can be powered over a 12 - 48VDC jack with FRA05-S12-SU or it can be powered by a Power over Ethernet switch like NS-205PSE-24. You would power the PoE switch with a 10 - 30 VDC power supply like DIN-KA52F.
2.     Connect the RS-232 or RS-485 device server to your network via Ethernet switch like NS-205 or a router if you are not already connected with a power over Ethernet switch. After you are connected you will need to configure your serial to device server with a desirable IP address, subnet mask and gateway. You can get the network configuration from your Network Administrator.
3.     Install a configuration utility on your PC like VxComm which allows you to set the IP address and map the Virtual COM ports of your serial to Ethernet device server.
4.     Search for the serial to Ethernet device server with the configuration utility. Double click on the returned device with your mouse. Input the desired Ethernet settings like IP address, subnet mask and gateway. Click OK to save the settings.
5.     Configure the Virtual COM Ports by clicking on the "Search Servers" button. Click on your returned serial device server in the list. Click "Add Server" and assign a COM port number, then click OK. This will be the virtual COM port you will use when you want to interface with your serial device through your software over the Ethernet / Internet network. Click "Tools," "Restart Driver," and then click the "Restart Driver" button to save the settings.

For more information, please visit http://www.icpdas-usa.com

Maria Lemone, Sales Manager.
ICP DAS USA, Inc.
mariaL@icpdas-usa.com | 1-888-971-9888 ext 105