As we all know, serial port devices are still widely used in various industrial scenarios. However, when there is only a USB to 232 communication line, the serial device can be connected. When there is no USB to RS232 communication line, how to connect the serial device?
The answer is simple. You can do this as long as you have special software tools installed on your computer. This excellent tool is called Virtual Serial Port Software. It is with the help of a dedicated IP serial application that you will be able to create multiple virtual serial ports and communicate with remote devices through them as if the device was directly connected to the local computer.
The goals that can be achieved through virtual serial port software and serial port server are:
1. Provide your system with a large number of virtual COM ports that are identical to the physical ports.
2. No matter how far the distance is, remote connection with serial devices can be achieved according to different implementation methods.
How to use virtual serial port software? Please click on the following related readings:
● How to use VCOM virtual serial port software
● Serial port server represents USR-TCP232-304 and virtual serial port software communication test
What is serial communication technology
One of the earliest applications of serial communications was in the field of industrial automation, where various sensors and data loggers exchanged data with computers via RS232, RS422, and RS485 ports.
However, direct serial connections have some limitations, such as data transfer speed, distance, and accessibility. Therefore, users need an efficient alternative, a more flexible way to communicate data between serial devices.
Ethernet technology remains strong in the industrial market. It allows connection to a wired local area network (LAN) so that devices can communicate with each other through serial communication protocols. Low cost and ease of integration have made this “legacy” standard a common approach across various industry sectors.
With the popularity of Ethernet in the industrial sector, there has been a trend towards a unified network that can manage not only workstations but also a wide variety of electronic devices. Ethernet has gradually replaced specific industrial interfaces, including the very common RS232, RS422, and RS485 ports. LAN ports are often found on newer models of industrial automation tools.
However, many COM-based automation tools are still in use and continue to be produced in large quantities. Therefore, it is logical that manufacturers of communication equipment decided to “link” serial interfaces and Ethernet technologies. Thus, the hardware “gateway” called a serial server (or serial to Ethernet converter) was born.
However, the developers’ efforts don’t stop there. Serial-to-Ethernet technology is now available as part of a dedicated software application. There are advanced software solutions for sharing devices on TCP/IP networks. Using a dedicated application, you can turn your home computer into a serial device server with multiple remote clients.
Schlüsselwörter: Server mit serieller Schnittstelle