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SerialGate
Serial to Ethernet Device Server
White Paper
Ver 2.2
2013. 02. 07
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SerialGate White Paper
Overview
Computer becomes more efficient tool when combined with features provided by the external
equipment connected to it.
In order to connect external devices, communication protocol determined as standard is
necessary, and the most widely used method is the serial communication. Serial
communication is based on Telex communication, and nearly every computer has a serial port.
However, communication speed is slow and it is not suitable for long distance communication.
On the other hand, Ethernet enabling N:N communication in high speed is widely used for
communication method. Even though Ethernet provides convenient wiring schemes, it is more
complex and expensive than serial communication which makes it not ideal for connecting
individual device.
History of Device Server
As two methods with different purposes and characteristics coexist, Ethernet has developed
to IP network (internet). IP network overcomes the spatial limitation that was in LAN and now
supports environment where PC all over the world can be connected on network. Computers
and devices do not need to be physically connected, and with IP address they can be logically
connected over the network. In this background, the need to connect devices with serial port to
Ethernet has increased and the device that connects them over Ethernet, device server, has
emerged.
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What is a Device Server?
Device Server consists of more than one Ethernet ports and multiple serial ports enables you
to easily connect any equipment with a serial port to Ethernet. Devices connected to a device
server get the same effect as they are directly connected to the Ethernet. As devices are
indirectly connected to the target computer via Ethernet connection with the help of the device
server, it provides an environment where a variety of tasks is performed more effectively.
SerialGate
SerialGate is network access equipment which transforms socket communication as well as
RS232/422/485 serial communication and modem to a Ethernet based communication.
SerialGate does not only work as a standard device server but also provides additional
features such as Portview and Com Port Redirector.
(Image) SerialGate Application
SerialGate series is made up of various models by the number of serial ports.
SG-1010 which has the basic structure of the product supports one serial port and one port
10/100Mbps Ethernet port. Based on this common configuration, there are models with more
number of serial ports up to sixteen. Each of these products supports RS232/422/485 interface
and modem allowing users to select the appropriate communication method.
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SerialGate Features
Device Connectivity and Management
SerialGate reads RS232/422/485 signals from a serial device and transmits to network. In
contrast, network data could be sent to serial data. Serial communication speed is up to
960Kbps while ensuring reliability. It supports various network protocols such as TCP, UDP,
Telnet, ICMP, DHCP, TFTP, HTTP and PPP. Also, SNMP(Simple Network Management
Protocol) 1, 2, considered as a worldwide network management standard, is supported.
Configuration
SerialGate helps the user to easily set up the environment for a high level of
communication. Via web browser or Telnet, it is available to configure serial communication,
network, security, management and other advanced settings. SerialGate provides easy and
simple interface for setting via web browser while various commands are available in Telnet.
PortView
PortView is a real-time communication
status monitoring program for SerialGate.
In a Windows System(PC), SerialGate
communication and all input/output data
through its serial port can be monitored from
a remote site. If a user encounters problems
with the equipment connected, it can
remotely diagnose and fix.
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COM Port Redirector
COM Port Redirector is a Serial-to-
Ethernet conversion driver.
It allows a user to utilize serial ports
of device server as they are serial
ports on PC. User does not need to
write a new socket program to use the
existing serial communication
program.
TestView
TestView is an application running
in Windows. It tests performance and
reliability of the products supplied by
SystemBase.
It provides TCP, UDP server/client
features, and performance, reliability,
and stability can be evaluated using
the burning test.
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SerialGate Application
SerialGate can be used in many practical applications in various fields. Here we present
some of them.
Factory / Industrial Automation
PLC, Robotics, Human-Machine Interface, Warehouse rail
Medical equipment, Test equipment
Alarm device
Consumer Electronics / Electronic Appliance
Power management, Game console
Gas detector, Pollution measurement
Data collection and distribution equipment
Finance / Building Automation
Card reader, barcode scanner, KIOSK, POS equipment
Serial printer, ATM, Credit card terminal
Security equipment
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SLIP(Serial Line Internet Protocol)
Bluetooth, WiFi, broadband wireless equipment can be utilized to build a network.
Serial Communication Tunneling
Tunneling extends cable in between PC and serial devices to network so it makes serial
cable with no distance limitation. Also, internet section can take advantage of various
media, such as the wire, wireless, and PPP.
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Serial to Ethernet Device Server
As the most common example, PC and SerialGate are connected to network, and serial
devices connected to SerialGate can be controlled in PC. Using ‘Com Redirector’ feature, it
is available to use the program developed for Com Port.
Remote COM Port
To provide remote COM Port, SerialGate provides Com Redirector.
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Serial Device Sharing
Through TCP Multiplex Protocol, SerialGate provides an environment in which a serial
device can be used simultaneously by up to five PC.
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