Sunix DevicePort Series, DevicePort DPL2000Q User Manual

DevicePort® Advanced Mode
Ethernet enabled
RS-232 Port Replicator

User’s Manual

First Edition, November 2014

www.sunix.com

1

Driver & Manual Download

Please visit SUNIX website http://www.sunix.com

by searching keyword “DevicePort Advanced Mode” or

“DPAS” for detail.

Scanning QR code on the product to get latest driver, firmware,

user manual, and product information update.

2

User’s Manual

Copyright

Copyright© 2014 SUNIX Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, translated into any

language, or transmitted in any from or by any means, photocopying, manual, or otherwise, without prior

written permission from SUNIX Co., Ltd.

Disclaimer

SUNIX Co., Ltd. Shall not be liable for any incidental or consequential damages resulting from the

performance or use of this equipment.

SUNIX Co., Ltd. Makes no representations or warranties regarding t he c ontent s o f this manu al. Inf ormat ion i n
this manual has been carefully checked for reliabi l ity; however, no guarantee is given as to the correctness of

this content. In the interest of continued product improvement, this company reserves the right to rev i se t he

manual or include change in the specifications of the prod uct described wit hin it at any time without not ice and

without obligation to notify any person of such rev i sion or changes. The information contained in thi s m anual

is provided for general use by the customers.

Trademarks

SUNIX is a registered trademark of SUNIX Co., Ltd.

Other registered marks used herein are for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their

respective owners.

Safety Information

1. Keep this User’s Manual for future reference.

2. Always read the safety information careful l y.

3. Keep this equipment away from direct sunli ght, or in humid or damp places.

4. Do not place this equipment in an unstable positi on, or on vibrating surface before setting it up.

5. Do not use or place this equipment near magnetic fields, televisions, or radios to avoid electronic
interface that affects device performance.

6. Do not attempt to disassemble or repair the equipm ent or the warranty would be useless.

7. To avoid damaging your system and equipment, please make sure that your computer is off before you
install the product.

3

Regulatory Compliance

FCC Class B Declaration

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to
part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful
interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses
and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction
manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.

Operation of this equipment in a resident ial area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user
will be required to correct the interference at his own expense. Modifications not authorized by the
manufacturer may void users authority to operat e this device.

This equipment meets the requirements of EC Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive
(2004/108/EC)

For EU (European Union) member users: According to the WEEE (Waste electrical

and electronic equipment) Directive, do not dispose of this product as household

waste or commercial waste. Waste electrical and electronic equipment should be

appropriately collected and recycled as required by practices established for your

country. For information on recycling of this product, please contact your local authorities, your household

waste disposal service or the shop where you purchased the product.

4

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction

1.1 Overview ........................................................................................................................................ 6

1.2 Package Checklist ........................................................................................................................... 6

1.3 System Requirements .................................................................................................................... 7

1.4 Product Features ............................................................................................................................ 7

1.5 Product Applications .................................................................................................................... 11

1.6 Product Specifications .................................................................................................................. 13

Chapter 2 Hardware Installation

2.1 Hardware Guide ........................................................................................................................... 18

2.2 Hardware Installation ................................................................................................................... 21

2.3 Pin Assignment ............................................................................................................................. 23

Chapter 3 Driver Installation

3.1 Windows Driver Installation ........................................................................................................ 26

3.2 Microsoft® .NET Framework 3.5 Installation ............................................................................... 32

3.3 Windows Driver Uninstallation .................................................................................................... 33

3.4 Verify Installation ......................................................................................................................... 34

Chapter 4 DevicePort® Configuration

4.1 SUNIX DevicePort Manager Utility Operating ............................................................................. 36

4.2 SUNIX DevicePort Hardware Settings .......................................................................................... 36

4.3 Configure Serial Port Settings ...................................................................................................... 52

Chapter 5 Appendix

5.1 Troubleshooting ........................................................................................................................... 56

5.2 Product Family ............................................................................................................................. 62

5.3 Contact Information ..................................................................................................................... 63

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1.

Introduction

SUNIX DevicePort® series is the ideal choice to enable your current Legacy I/O devices
networking. It allows users to expand RS-232 ports over Ethernet connection, and it works
on any windows based desktop, thin client, laptop, All-in-one, and tablet PC computers.
SUNIX DevicePort® works in virtually any available PC system and compatible with
Microsoft Windows operating systems.

SUNIX DevicePort® series is provided kinds of Legacy I/O ports for connecting terminals,
modems, printers, scanners, cash registers, bar code readers, keypads, nu meric displays,
electrical scales, data acquisition equipment, and other serial devices for the PC and
compatible systems.

The following topics covered in this chapter:

 1.1 Overview
 1.2 Package Checklist
 1.3 Product Features
 1.4 System Requirements
 1.5 Product Application
 1.6 Product Specifications

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1.1 Overview

Thanks for purchasing SUNIX DevicePort® Advanced Mode product that is the ideal
choice to enable your current RS-232 devices networking. User can expand multiple
RS-232 ports on PC windows based system over Ethernet connection. With SUNIX
DPL2000Q High-Performance Ethernet-UART controller and exclusive I/O Redirection
Technology, DevicePort® creates physical COM ports that support real time data
communication, Smart COM on/off-line deployment, Device Sharing, and Ethernet-COM
port hot-plug capability; user can expand RS-232 COM port easily without complex
software configuration. SUNIX DevicePort® improves solution deployment efficiency to
achieve greater reliability in commercial and industrial automation applicat ions.

1.2 Package Checklist

Please check if the following items are present and in good condition upon opening your
package. Contact your vendor if any item is damaged or missing.

■ SUNIX DevicePort® product

■ Quick Installation Guide

■ Power Jack to USB Type-A Male Cable, 120cm (4ft.)

By scanning QR code on the product to get least driver, firmware, user manual, and
product information update.

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1.3 System Requirements

This section lists the hardware, operating system, and software requirements for SUNIX
DevicePort® Advanced Mode product.

■ Intel® Pentium® processor 1G or above.

■ System memory 256 MB RAM or above.

■ Microsoft® Windows XP, 7, 8, 8.1 or above OS.

■ Microsoft®.NET Framework 3.5 or 3.5 service pack1.

(.NET Framework 4.0 or 4.5 does not support)

1.4 Product Features

 Expands multiple independent RS-232 serial por ts over Ethernet networking.
 Built-in SUNIX DevicePort® DPL2000Q High-Performance Ethernet-UART controller.
 SUNIX DevicePort® proprietary Ethernet I/O Redirection Technology.

(*Note1)

- Serial communication with real time data transmits and receives.

- Physical COM port accessible via Windows Device Manager.

- Up to 255 COM ports can be setup on a windows system simultaneously.

 Accessing Legacy COM port by using existing software and application.
 Flexible port configuration with DevicePort on/off-line smart COM deployment.

- Auto connection and mapping with MAC address bound.

- Keeps physical COM port in system when DevicePort under off-line mode.

- Serial signal staging until DevicePort recovery back to on-line mode.

 Device sharing feature enables connected peripheral swit c hing bet ween multiple hosts.
 Built-in dual 10/100 Ethernet ports for Ethernet cascading capability.
 Low power consumption design of 2.5W for meeting Green Environmental movement.
 15KV ESD protection for all serial signal lines meeting IEC-61000-4-2 standard.
 CE, FCC, VCCI, C-Tick, BSMI and RoHS certified, with Microsoft WHQL approval.

Note:

1. Ethernet I/O Redirection technology is SUNIX proprietary protocol for COM, LPT, and digital I/O
expansion over categpry6/5 Ethernet cable.

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Expand legacy I/O ports over Ethernet connection

The growth and advances of small form factor PC continues to meet challenges and open
up new opportunities. SUNIX DevicePort® products are specifically developed to meet
such requirements and to replace current add-on card solutions. Users can expand leg acy
I/O ports over Ethernet connection that improves solution deployment efficiency to achieve
greater reliability in commercial and industrial automation applications.

DevicePort® Advanced Mode supports both Direct-Link and Ethernet-Link connections

Cascading Ethernet Ports Make Wiring Easy

SUNIX DevicePort® has two 10/100 Ethernet ports built-in that can act as Ethernet switch
for easy setup. One port connects directly to the network or server, and the other port can
be connected to another Ethernet device or other DevicePort® via Daisy Chain mode. This
will prevent complicated cabling setup, and reduce overall investm ent cost on networking
equipment, such as switches.

DevicePort® Daisy Chain Topology

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SUNIX DevicePort® proprietary Ethernet I/O Redirection Technology

With Ethernet hot-plug and system aut o-detect capability, user can expand RS-232 COM
and Printer LPT port easily without complex software configuration. Just simply plug in the
RJ45 Ethernet cable between SUNIX DevicePort® and PC Host, the computer system will
create physical COM/LPT ports automatically with real time data transmit and receive
communication. User can easily access the port by using existing software application, and
TCP socket protocol re-compiling are not necessary.

DevicePort® supports physical COM port mapping over Ethernet connection

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Smart COM Off-Line Deployment
SUNIX DevicePort® Advanced mode supports off -line mapping feature that able to keep
hardware COM port resources within the system device manager even when DevicePort®
being disconnected from the network. There are two major benefits on this Off-Line feature:

Ethernet Hot-Plug and Plug-n-Play capability – SUNIX DevicePor t® will create or remove
physical COM/LPT ports automatically from the system resources. However, most
application software does not allow hardware COM/LPT to drop when specific ports are
opened. Under certain harsh network environment scenario, to prevent application software
to crash, DevicePort® off-line mapping feature will keep hardware CO M/LPT port address
within the system device manager when DevicePort® being disconnected from the network.
After DevicePort® is re-connected back to the network, data communications will recover
back to the same resources automatically.

Secondly, DevicePort® off-line mapping feature can also use to deploy to the system
architecture design. System administrator can setup and create COM/LPT port right at the
application software without physically making Ethernet connection to DevicePort®. SUNIX
will provide corresponding API function library which allows software developers to easily
develop their programs to manipulate any serial COM communication.

DevicePort® COM ports keep alive i n the system without DevicePort® connecting

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1.5 Product Applications

DevicePort® on Data Acquisition

With SUNIX DevicePort® Ethernet I/O Redirection Technology, traditional data collection which in
the form of waveforms, on/off signals, or temperature readings have been greatly improved by the
Ethernet networking feature. Ether net allows systems to be more distributed, and remote monitoring
is also possible. Here is the innovated example for centralized data acquisition solution;

A controller must be used (generally a PC or PLC) to connect to sensors and the SCADA/HMI
system under traditional data acquisition infrastructure

Traditional Solution

With SUNIX DevicePort®, data acquisition infrastructure changes from a centralized and localized
system to a distributed and remotely monitored system. It also saves huge among of initial
hardware investment and future maintenance cost.

SUNIX DevicePort® Solution

The best approach in deploying a distributed Ethernet-based data acquisition system is to create a
device link through daisy-chain topology that saves implementation costs such as switches, cable
wiring, as well as labor costs. SUNIX DevicePort® improves deployment efficient to achieve
greater reliability in commercial and industrial automation applications, such as factory automation,
security and surveillance systems.

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DevicePort® on Mobile Tablet Computers

The Tablet computer mark et share is reaching its saturation point in the consumer market,
but for enterprise applications, it has just started to pick up steam; as in commercial
automation solution. Tablet computers can help to enhance employee productivity and
increase sales incentives for many small businesses and retail sales sectors. However,
most tablet computers lag with physical I/O connectivity; addit ional I/O docking stations are
needed to make those peripheral connections; this will eventually reducing tablet
computers mobility and conveniences.

With SUNIX DevicePort, Ethernet enabled Port Replicator, it’s easy to expand Legacy
RS-232 COM and Printer LPT ports wirelessly on tablet computers. By simply connecting
the RJ45 Ethernet cable between the SUNIX DevicePort® and WiFi Access-Point, the
tablet computers will create physical COM/LPT ports automatically with real time data
communication within the same network. User can easily access COM and LPT ports
remotely by using the existing software application without any need for physical cable
connection on your tablet computers.

DevicePort® Mobile I/O Redirection & Device Sharing Technology

In order to share Serial/Printer peripheral with multiple hosts ( e.g. Desktop or Tablet PC).
With SUNIX DevicePort® Device Sharing feature, it enables DevicePort’s connected
peripheral to be shared by multiple hosts on the network. SUNIX will provide corresponding
application programming interface (API) and dynamic-link library (DLL) module which
enables software designers to easily develop their programs to manipulate any serial and
printing communication.

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(Optional for 921.6Kpbs)

even, odd, none,
mark, space

2-port
Ethernet Switch Port

Power Consumption

Microsoft Server

 EUR: CE EN55022 Class B, EN55024

JAPAN: VCCI

1.6 Product Specifications

Serial Communication

Interface

Controller

BUS

No. of Port

FIFO
Signal

Protection

RS-232

SUNIX DPL2000Q

Ethernet
2, 4, 8, 16 or 32-port

(Product Dependent)
1Kbyte Hardware / per port

DCD, TxD, RxD, RTS, CTS, DTR, DSR, GND, RI

±15KV ESD IEC6000-4-2 Air Discharge
±8KV ESD IEC61000-4-2 Contact Discharge
±4KV ESD IEC61000-4-2 Level2 Line-to-Line

Ethernet Communication

Number of Ports
Speed

Connector
Magnetic Isolation Protection

Baud rate

Stop bit

Parity

Flow Control

Connector

10/100 Mbps, auto MDI/MDIX
RJ45

1.0K Built-in

50bps ~115.2Kbps

1, 1.5, 2

Xon/Xoff (software)

DB9 Male

Power Requirements

Input Voltage

Connector

Driver Support

Microsoft Client

Regulatory Approvals

Hardware EMC

Software Driver

5 to 12VDC

2.5W @ 5VDC
DC-Jack

XP / 7 / 8 / 8.1 /10 (X86/X64)
2003 / 2008 / 2012R2 (X64)

 US: FCC Part 15 Class B
 TAIWAN: BSMI: CNS13438
 AS/NZS: C-Tick: CISPR22 AS/NZS



Microsoft WHQL Wi ndows

 Microsoft Client: XP/7/8/8.1/10 (X86/X64)
 Microsoft Server: 2003/2008/2012R2 (X64)

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Environment

Operation Temperature
Operation Humidity
Storage Temperature

0 to 45°C (32 to 113°F)
5 to 95% RH (non-condensing)

-20 to 85°C (-4 to 185°F)

Physical Characteristics

Housing
Weight
Dimensions

ABS, PC, Metal
(Product Dependent)
(Product Dependent)

 2-port Model (DB9M Type)

15

 4-port Model (DB9M Type)

 4-port Model (DB44F Type)

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 8-port RS-232 (DB9M Type)

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2.

Hardware Installation

This chapter includes information about hardware installation for SUNIX DevicePort ®. The

following topics are covered:

 2.1 Hardware Guide
 2.2 Hardware Installation
 2.3 Pin Assignments

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2.1 Hardware Guide

This chapter provides the definitions of I/O port.

No. Function Descriptions

①

②

③

④

⑤

⑥

⑦

⑧

⑨

Power DC Jack Input power range +5~12VDC@ 2.5W
Power LED ACT when power on
Mapping LED ACT when COM port mapping ready in system
Rx Data LED ACT when serial COM port receive data
Tx Data LED ACT when serial COM port transmit data
Ethernet Port 1 (RJ45 Type) Ethernet connection (Ethernet Switching Port)
Ethernet Port 2 (RJ45 Type) Ethernet connection (Ethernet Switching Port)
COM Port (DB9M Type) COM port number sequence (Product Dependent)
Reset Button Use Reset Button to restore factory default settings

 2-port Model (DB9M Type)

19

 4-port Model (DB44F Type)

 4-port Model (DB9M Type)

20

 8-port Model (DB9M Type)

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2.2 Hardware Installation

The hardware installation of SUNIX DevicePort® Advanced Mode product is easy to carry
out. Follow the steps below to connect the related devices.

Step1. Connect power from USB power cable or power adapter.

Connect the single DC output connector of the power adapter to the power jack on

the back of the SUNIX DevicePort®. You can use enclosed USB cable to connect
external +5VDC power from PC’s USB port or an AC/DC power adapter connection
from AC outlet.

Step2. Connect SUNIX DevicePort® to PC or Ethernet network.

Attach one end of the Ethernet cable wit h RJ-45 connectors to your PC’s Ethernet

port or Ethernet switch Hub port, and the other end to SUNIX DevicePort® Ethernet
port 1 or 2.

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Step3. Multiple DevicePort® with daisy chain network.

SUNIX DevicePort® has two 10/100 Ethernet cascading ports built-in that can act as
Ethernet switch for easy setup. One port connects directly to the network or server,
and the other port can be connected to another Ethernet device or other
DevicePort® via Daisy Chain mode. This will prevent complicated cabling setup, and
reduce overall investment cost on networking equipment, such as switches.

Attach one end of the Ethernet cable with RJ-45 connectors to your PC’s Ethernet

port or Ethernet Switch Hub, and the other end to the LAN downstream port
number 1 of first layer SUNIX DevicePort®.

Attach the second Ethernet cable connection between LAN upstream por t number

2 of first layer SUNIX DevicePort® and LAN downstream port number 1 of
second layer SUNIX DevicePort®.

You can repeat above operation to multiple layers. SUNIX DevicePort® d aisy chain
network topology supports maximum 255 COM and 3 LPT ports expansion.

DevicePort® Advanced Mode Daisy Chain Topology

Note:

In order to make sure serial (RS-232/422/485) connecting with real time data
communication, be sure to deploy SUNIX DevicePort® products in the same local
networking environment with your PC server. SUNIX DevicePort® does not support hinge
of different network segment nor cross router connection.

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PIN

DB9M

DB25M

RJ45

Pin Header

DCD

1 8 7

1

RxD

2 3 6 3 TxD

3 2 3

5

DTR

4

20 2 7

GND

5 7 4 9 DSR

6 6 8

2

RTS

7 4 1

4

CTS

8 5 5

6

RI

9

22 - 8

2.3 Pin Assignment

This chapter provides the pin assignments for SUNIX DevicePort®, as well as the pin
assignments for the optional accessories.

RS-232 Interface:

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Ethernet RJ45 Interface:

SUNIX DevicePort® is provided standard Ethernet ports. According to the link type,
DevicePort® uses CAT 3, 4, 5,5e UTP cables to connect to any other network device (PCs,
servers, switches, routers, or hubs). Please refer to the following table for cable
specifications.

Cable Types and Specifications

Cable Type Max. Length Connector

10BASE-T Cat. 3, 4, 5 100-ohm UTP 100 m (328 ft) RJ-45

100BASE-TX Cat. 5 100-ohm UTP UTP 100 m (328 ft) RJ-45

With 100BASE-TX/10BASE-T cable, pins 1 and 2 are used for transmitting data, and pins 3
and 6 are used for receiving data.

SUNIX DevicePort® supports auto MDI/MDI-X operation. You can use a straight- through
100BASE-TX/10BASE-T cable to connect PC to DevicePort®.

RJ45 LED Definition:

No. LED Function Descriptions

1. Green Link LED act when 100M Ethernet Link

1. N.A. Link LED does NOT act when10M Ethernet Link

2. Yellow Action LED act when data communication

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3.

Driver Installation

After connecting SUNIX DevicePort® Advanced Mode product to your system successfully,
please follow the step by step software installation guide to confirm how to install
appropriate driver and configure the serial port settings. By scanning QR code on the
product or visiting SUNIX official website http://www.sunix.com to download least driver.

The driver for SUNIX DevicePort® supports Windows operating systems, and you can
select your requirement in the following chapter:

The following topics covered in this chapter:



 3.1 Windows Driver Installation
 3.2 Microsoft®.NET Framework 3.5 Installation
 3.3 Windows Driver Uninstallation
 3.4 Verify Installation

26

3.1 Windows Driver Installation

Please refer to following instructions to install SUNIX DevicePort® driver for the first time
under Windows operation system. You will need to connect SUNIX DevicePort® to PC
ready, before installing the driver.

(1) You can download the latest driver from SUNIX official website (http://www.sunix.com)

by searching “DevicePort Advanced Mode” or “DPAS”.

(2) Please execute Setup.exe to install driver. Driver I nstallShield Wizard wil l show up and

please wait for driver install procedure running.

27

(3) Click “Next” to continue driver installation steps.

(4) Select SUNIX DevicePort Manager Utility destinat ion location.

Click “Next” to continue driver installation steps.

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(5) Click “Install” to continue driver installation steps.

(6) System will install driver automatically. It takes about one minute.

29

(7) Click “Install” to continue driver installation steps.

(8) Click “Finish” to end installation steps.

30

(9) If your operation system does not include Microsoft®.NET Framework 3.5 (or 3.5

service pack1) package, Windows 8/8.1/10 wizard will show this warning screen as
below. Please click “Download and install this feature”.

(10) System will search and download req uired files from inter net. Be sure to connect your

PC to internet and system will download it automatically. You may take 10~15 minutes
downloading required files, and it depends on your internet connection performance.

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(11) After downloading Microsoft®.NET Framework 3.5 ready, system will instal l it

automatically. Please reboot your PC to enable this new feature.

Note:
Under Windows XP operation system, user will not read above Microsoft®.NET Framework

3.5 required wizards. User has to download and inst all Microsoft®.NET Framework 3.5 (or

3.5 service pack1) software package by themself. Please refer to chapter 3.2

Microsoft® .NET Framework 3.5 Installation for more detail.

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Operating System

.NET Framework Edition

Remarks

Windows Vista

.NET Framework 3

-

3.5

Windows 8 / 8.1

.NET Framework 4 or 4.5

User has to install .NET Framework 3.5

4.5

Server 2008

.NET Framework 4

User has to install .NET Framework 3.5

2012

4.5

3.2 Microsoft® .NET Framework 3.5 Installation

SUNIX DevicePort application design bases on Microsoft®.NET Framework software, and
Microsoft®.NET Framework 3.5 (or 3.5 service pack1) is required. The table in this topic
provides the operating system for the Microsoft® .NET Framework editions.

Windows XP

Windows 7 .NET Framework

Windows 10 .NET Framework 4 or

Server

.NET Framework 4 or

N.A. User has to install .NET Framework 3.5

-

User has to install .NET Framework 3.5

User has to install .NET Framework 3.5

Please note that Microsoft®.NET Framework 4 or 4.5 is NOT include previous editions.
User has to install Microsoft®.NET Framework 3.5 or 3.5 Service Pack 1 separately. Due to
Microsoft® licensed issue, .NET Framework 3.5 setup package is not included, user can go
to Microsoft official website (http://www.microsoft.com/) or search keyword “.NET
Framework 3.5” to download software package.

33

3.3 Windows Driver Uninstallation

Please refer to following instructions uninstall SUNIX DevicePort® driver.

(1) Click on the “Programs and Features” tab in the Windows Control Panel.

Start > Controller Panel > Programs and Features

(2) Entry Uninstall or change a program page, and double click “SUNIX DevicePort

Manager” to process driver uninstallation procedure.

34

3.4 Verify Installation

You can access Windows “Device Manager” to verify proper installation.

(1) Click on the “Programs and Features” tab in the Windows Control Panel.

Start > Controller Panel > Device Manager

(2) In the Device Manager window, you should see SUNIX COM port under Ports (COM &

LPT). (4-port DevicePort® in this example)

(3) You also can check SUNIX DevicePort® box and COM/LPT port mapping status over

SUNIX DevicePort® Manager by execut ing dp icon on the windows desktop system
tray.

35

4.

DevicePort® Configuration

This chapter shows SUNIX DevicePort® Manager Utility operating and Serial COM settings
that user came with usually, such as MAC address, device name, COM port number, baud
rate, and other features.

The following topics covered in this chapter:

 4.1 SUNIX DevicePort Manager Utility Operating
 4.2 SUNIX DevicePort Hardware Settings
 4.3 Configure Serial Port Settings

36

4.1 SUNIX DevicePort Manager Utility Operating

SUNIX DevicePort® Manager Utility (Microsoft Windows version) is design for DevicePort
Advanced Mode product. DevicePort® Manager Utility pr ovides DevicePort® management
and port mapping features for user remotely control and configure DevicePort® product over
Ethernet network operation.

Access SUNIX DevicePort® Manager by executing golden dp icon on the windows
desktop system tray. User can view connected SUNIX DevicePort® box status in the utility.

SUNIX DevicePort® Manager Utility is divided into three tables.
(1) My DevicePort: List DevicePort® connection and port-mapping are ready in the system.

(2) Paired DevicePort: List DevicePort® was mapping ready, but off-line connection now.

®

However COM port resource still keeps in the system, it’s called as “Off-line Mapping”.

(3) Available DevicePort: List DevicePort® items are free for connection.

(1)

(2)

(3)

37

(1) Searching DevicePort® on the Network

After SUNIX DevicePort® Manager drivers are install ed and launched; connecting SUNIX
DevicePort® advanced mode product in the same network area with PC server, and you
can discover DevicePort® list free for connection in the Available DevicePort table.

SUNIX DevicePort® Manager utility will sent broadcast domain to all DevicePort® products
within the same LAN segment. SUNIX DevicePort ® will res pond automatically and show in
the discovery list, so it’s not necessary scan or search DevicePort® product manually.

You can discover DevicePort® connection list on DevicePort® Manager ut ility. This is an
example for a 4-port DevicePort® Advanced Mode product connecting screen shot.

To identify SUNIX DevicePort® items in the networking, you can move on your mouse on
the DevicePort® discovery list, and you can read their respective MAC address.

38

(2) Connect DevicePort® on the Network

To connect DevicePort®, please double click or right-click mouse on the discovered
DevicePort® in Available DevicePort table.

If discovered DevicePort® connects successfully, this authorized DevicePort® item will
change status to the My DevicePort table in the DevicePort Manager Utility.

When connect discovered DevicePort®, if “Enter Password” prompts for a password, you
have to enter the authorized password; then you can access this secure DevicePort® item.

Note:

Disable password access protection is factory default setting. If
you forgot access password, please use Reset Button to restore
factory default settings manually.

39

(3) DevicePort® Port Mapping on the PC Server

Click “+” sub-tree to open DevicePort® detail. COM port mapping st atus will show up on
DevicePort® Manager “My DevicePort” table. This is an example for a 4-port DevicePort®
Advanced Mode product screen shot.

User can access Windows “Device Manager” to verify COM port mapping status. Below
picture shows 4-port DevicePort® COM port mapping result, and user should discover
SUNIX COM port COM3, COM4, COM5, and COM6 under Ports (COM & LPT) item.

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(4) Disconnect DevicePort® from the PC Server

To disconnect DevicePort® from PC server, please right-click mouse on the specified
DevicePort® under My DevicePort table, and select “Disconnect”.

If DevicePort® disconnects successfully, this specified DevicePort® item will change status
back to the “Available DevicePort” table in the DevicePort M anager Utility.

In addition, to release COM port mapping resources from the system (hardware device
manager), running “Disconnect” operation is necessary. Though remove physical Ethernet
cable connection between PC Server and DevicePort® product, DevicePort® will NOT
release COM port resources from the system. SUNIX DevicePort® goes to “Offline
Mapping” status.

Note:
DevicePort® Auto-Connection feature will be disable automatically once running

“Disconnect” operation. User has to reconfigure (enable) Auto-Connection feature
manually in DevicePort® Manager advanced settings. Please refer to chapter 4.2
DevicePort® Auto-Connection settings.

41

(5) DevicePort® Off-Line Mapping on the PC Server

To release DevicePort® connection from PC server, but keep COM port alive in the system,
please right-click mouse on the specified DevicePort® item under Available DevicePort
table, and select “Offline Mapping”. Or just remove Ethernet physical cable connection
between PC Server and DevicePort® product.

If DevicePort® Offline mapping process is ready; this specified DevicePort® item changes
status to the “Paired DevicePort” table in the DevicePort Manager Utility. Also it goes to
“Available DevicePort” status for other host connecting purpose, such as DevicePort®
Device Sharing feature.

To re-build DevicePort® connection from offline mapping mode, please right-click mouse on
the specified DevicePort® item an d select “Connect” under Paired DevicePort table. Select
“Discount” to release COM port mapping resources from the system (device manager).

42

SUNIX DevicePort® Advanced mode supports off -line mapping feature that able to keep
hardware COM port resourc es within the system device manager even when DevicePort®
being disconnected from the network. There are two major benefits on this Off-Line feature:

Ethernet Hot-Plug and Plug-n-Play capability – SUNIX DevicePor t® will create or remove
physical COM/LPT ports automatically from the system resources. However, most
application software does not allow hardware COM/LPT to drop when specific ports are
opened. Under certain harsh network environment scenario, to prevent application software
to crash, DevicePort® off-line mapping feature will keep hardware CO M/LPT port address
within the system device manager when DevicePort® being disconnected from the network.
After DevicePort® is re-connected back to the network, data communications will recover
back to the same resources automatically.

Secondly, DevicePort® off-line mapping feature can also use to deploy to the system
architecture design. System administrator can setup and create COM/LPT port right at the
application software without physically making Ethernet connection to DevicePort®.

Thirdly, in order to share serial peripheral with multiple hosts (e.g. Desktop or Tablet PC),
SUNIX create DevicePort® Device Sharing feat ure to satisfy. It based on off-line mapping
principle and allows several hosts to access the same DevicePort® unit by dividing
connection into different time slots. Because alive COM port always keeps resource in
each host, it enables DevicePort’s connected peripheral to be shared by multiple hosts

asynchronously on the network.

SUNIX will provide corresponding application programming interface (API) and
dynamic-link library (DLL) module which enables software designer s to easily develop their
programs to manipulate any serial communication.

DevicePort® COM ports keep alive i n the system without DevicePort® connecting

43

4.2 SUNIX DevicePort Hardware Settings

SUNIX DevicePort® Advanced Mode supports real time data communicat ion, Smart COM
on/off-line deployment, Device Sharing, and Ethernet-COM port hot-plug capability features;
user can expand RS-232 COM port conveniently. Please follow the guide to configure
DevicePort® settings, such as MAC address, device name, COM port number, baud rate,
and other features.

Ethernet connecting between SUNIX DevicePort® and PC server side is ready. You will
read “DevicePort Online” information shows up on the windows desktop system t ray. Be
sure to enable DevicePort® Auto-Connection feature firstly, and please refer to
DevicePort® Auto-Connection settings chapter.

Conversely , after removing Ethernet cable connection between SUNIX DevicePort® and PC,
you will read “DevicePort Offline” information shows up on the windows desktop system
tray. SUNIX DevicePort® goes to “Offline Mapping” status.

Note: Be sure to keep DevicePort Manager Utility alive in your system, please do NOT
close, disable or remove it from windows startup process.

44

(1) DevicePort® Hardware Configuration

After authorized DevicePort® connection is ready, please right-click mouse on the specified
DevicePort® under My DevicePort table, and select “Properties”. You can go to
DevicePort® hardware advanced settings, including device name, MAC address, and
firmware update.

Firstly, DevicePort® information shows up in the General page, including model number,
device name, MAC address, firmware version, and connecting host source.

45

User can modify device name, MAC address, access password, auto-connection, and
firmware update in the Settings page. Be sure to click “OK” to enable your modification
before closing this window.

(2) Device Name

DevicePort® “Device Name” is specially designed to allow easy identification of the
multiple DevicePort® units on the network. You can input maximum 20 characters. Click
“Set Device Name” to save settings.

46

(3) MAC Address

MAC Address (Media Access Control Address) is a unique identifier assigned to network
DevicePort® for communications on the physical network segment. To prevent MAC
address conflict problem, user can modify it by himself. Click “Set” to save set tings.

(4) Access Password (Default = Disable)

Enable access password to prevent DevicePort® access from unauthorized host on the
network. Users can configure password settings in this page.

Disable: Factory default setting. The DevicePort® will not have password protection

DevicePort® can be accessed and configured by anyone who connects in.

Enable: DevicePort® cannot be accessed without passwor d protection.

Click the “Set” check box to enable access word feature and user can change/edit new
password. You can input maximum 31 characters both in “New Password” and “ Confirm
Password” boxes.

Click “Change” to change password, and click “OK” to save new password setting.

47

Error message shows up when incorrect password input. This secure DevicePort® could
not be connected, but off-line mapping process would be enabled.

User could access DevicePort® off-line mapping feature without password protection. It is
use to deploy DevicePort® to t he enormous network system architecture design. System
administrator can setup and create COM/LPT port right at the application softwar e without
physically making Ethernet connection to DevicePort®.

Note:

Disable password access protection is factory default setting. If
you forgot access password, please use Reset Button to restore
factory default settings manually.

48

(5) Auto Connection (Default = Disable)

Enable Auto Connection to make connection between authorized DevicePort® and PC
server automatically. When authorized DevicePort® unit goes to online, PC server will
identify, connect, and port-mapping without additional operation. Users can configure
connecting type in this page.

Disable: Factory default setting. DevicePort® connection has to done manually.

Enable: DevicePort® can be connected from authorized PC server automat ically

Note:

DevicePort® Auto-Connection feature will be disabled automatically once running
“Disconnect” operation. User has to reconfigure (enable) Auto-Connection feature
manually in DevicePort® Manager Auto-Connection settings.

49

(6) Upgrade Firmware

Download the latest firmware from SUNIX official website and click “Browse...” to select
correct firmware “.bin” file. Click “Upgrade” to upgrade DevicePort® to the latest firmware
version.

Click “OK” to process DevicePort® firmware upgrade procedure. Users can check the
progress of firmware upgrading process in status column. Please be patient of DevicePort®
upgrading process.

After FW upgrade process successfully, please reboot (power off and on) DevicePort®.

Caution:

Do NOT remove Ethernet connection or power-off
DevicePort® when running firmware upgrade process.

50

(7) DevicePort® Manager Utility information

DevicePort® Manager utility version and driver version show in the “About” page.

51

(8) Export Log file

When communication issue happens, user can export log file to analyze. Click icon and
save log file to specified path. You could email log files to SUNIX technical support
([e-mail]) to get help.

52

4.3 Configure Serial Port Settings

After DevicePort® drivers are installed; please refer to following instructions to configure
Serial COM settings.

Please launch “DevicePort Manager” utility first and open sub-tree of DevicePort® detail.
There is COM port mapping detail on “My DevicePort List” table. This is an example for a
4-port DevicePort® Advanced Mode screen shot.

Double click on the selected COM port, and users can configure serial port’s settings in this
page, including Baud rate, Parity, Data bits, Stop bits, Flow Control, COM port number,
RS-232 interface and Powered COM features. Click “Apply” to save settings.

53

(1) COM port Parameter Settings

SUNIX DevicePort® COM port parameter can be configured in the section.

Baud Rate: (Default = 9600 bps)

DevicePort® supports baud rate setting from 50bps to 115.2 Kbps.
(High speed model up to 921.6Kbps)

Data bits: (Default = 8 bits)

DevicePort® supports data bits setting from 5 to 8 bit.

Parity: (Default = None)

DevicePort® supports parity setting including None, Even, Odd, Space, and Mark.

Stop bits: (Default = 1 bit)

DevicePort® supports stop bits setting 1, 1.5 or 2 bits.
Stop bits will be set to 1.5 when Data bits is set to 5 bits.

Flow Control: (Default = None)

DevicePort® supports flow control setting including None, Hardware, and Xon/Xoff.

54

(2) COM Port Number

You can select COM Port number form COM1 to COM255. If this COM port is using
now, there is a “in use” message shown behind COM number that you cannot access.

(3) COM Port Interface (Product Dependent, Default = RS-232)

DevicePort® supports kinds of models, including pure RS-232, pure RS-422/485 or
3-in-1 RS-232/422/485 interfaces. It depends on what kind of product you bought. This
picture shows standard RS-232 DevicePort screen shot.

(4) Powered COM (Product Dependent, Default = None power output)

DevicePort® supports COM port with +5VDC power output feature. User can enable
Powered COM feature in this section. It depends on what kind of product you bought.
This picture shows RS-232 DevicePort without powered COM feature screen shot.

55

5.

Appendix

This chapter shows some problems that user came with usually. Also you can check it if the
DevicePort® could not wor k properly in your system after following hardware and sof tware
installation steps. In addition, you could contact with us for detail technical product
information.

In this appendix, we cover the following topics:

 5.1 Troubleshooting
 5.2 Product Family
 5.3 Contact Information

56

5.1 Troubleshooting

1. System fails to find the DevicePort® or COM/LPT port.

Answer:

It may cause by following issue:
a. DevicePort® is not properly connected to the PC server. Please connect DevicePort®

to your PC Ethernet port directly without bridging any switch hub or access point.

b. Be sure to deploy SUNIX DevicePort® products in the same local networking

environment with your PC server. Please read chapter 2 hardware guide for detail

c. Make sure DC power is properly connected to DevicePort®. You can identify it by

Power LED on DevicePort®. Please read chapter 2 hardware guide for det ail

d. Make sure your PC’s Ethernet port is enable. You can read and check it by

Controller Panel > Network and Internet > Network Connections

e. After driver install ready, be sure to check “DevicePort® Manager” service is working.

There’s one golden dp logo on the windows desktop tray.

Or you can access DevicePort® Manager utility program from this link.

C:\Program Files\SUNIX\ DevicePortAdvancedl DevicePortManager.exe

f. DevicePort® hardware itself might be defec tive or crash. You can reset DevicePort®

power again, try another PC to test it, or contact us for technical support.

57

2. My DevicePort® does not support Auto-Detect feature.

Answer:

It may cause by following issue:
a. Be sure to keep “DevicePort Manager” utility alive in your windows desktop system

tray, please do NOT close, disable or remove it.

b. Be sure to keep “DevicePort Manager” utility alive when windows start up, please do

NOT disable or remove it from windows startup process. You can re-install SUNIX
DevicePort® driver again to fix this problem.

c. Please enable “Auto Connection” feature in the DevicePort® settings.
Please read manual chapter 4.2.6 for detail

3. There is no respond from “DevicePort Manager”, after dis/connecting DevicePort®

from/to PC host.

Answer:

It may cause by“DevicePort Manager” utility crash, please reboot your computer to
reset it.

58

4. How to install COM port on my system?.

Answer:

SUNIX DevicePort® supports Ethernet auto-detect capability, user can expand RS-232

COM and LPT port easily. Afte r d ri v e r i n s ta l le d re a d y a t th e first time, plug RJ45 Ethernet
cable between SUNIX DevicePort® and PC host side, system will create physical
COM/LPT ports automatically with real time data transmit and receive communication.
User can easily access port by using existing software and application.

DevicePort® runs procedure as below.
Ethernet Connection ready > DevicePort® detecting > Connect & Port Mapping

5. Should I install driver for each DevicePort® boxes when Multiple DevicePort®

daisy chain network.

Answer:

Driver install required only at the first time. So you do not need to re-install driver again

for your second DevicePort® unit connecting.

6. Could I connect DevicePort® Advanced mode to switch hub or AP routers?

Answer:
Yes, you can. If DevicePort® Dock mode connect s to public switch hub or router, there

are somebody may connect to this DevicePort® without your expecting. So be sure to
enable access password to prevent unauthorized host connecting.

59

7. How to expand more than multiple COM ports by using DevicePort® ?

Answer:

SUNIX DevicePort® DevicePort® Advanced Mode supports both Direct-Link and

Ethernet-Link connections in the same network. There is no DevicePort® unit connecting
limitation, but maximum 255 COM and 3 LPT ports in one PC system.

8. Will DevicePort® lower my Internet performances when access COM serial dat a at

the same time?

Answer:

SUNIX DevicePort® product built-in dual 10/100 Ethernet channels, one for data

downstream to PC host and the other upstream port to Ethernet switch. User can access
internet over DevicePort® br idge. Serial data communication asks very low bandwidth;
most of serial devices asks 9600bps,N,8,1 data transfer rate, so it should not cause your
internet accessing trouble. According to our testing, one single 8-port RS-232
DevicePort® product expenses about 10Mbp/s data transferring rate with full loading
(921Kbps, N,8,1) test. About 10% bandwidth of standard 10/100Mb network
environment.

However, to make sure efficient and safe communication, DevicePort® will put serial

communication data from COM ports as the first priority than other internet data
packages.

60

9. May I know system resource of COM or LPT port?

Answer:

SUNIX DevicePort® is an Ethernet enable devices. S ystem or BIOS will not allocat e any

resource for COM or LPT ports. So COM port does not locate at any legacy ISA address
3F8, 3E8, 2F8,2E8 and LPT port does not locate at 378, 278, 3BC legacy ISA address
either.

10. My DevicePort cannot communicate with my serial device, however without

problem communicating over on-board COM port.

Answer:

Please follow up manual chapter 4.2.8 to export log file, and sent log files to SUNIX

technical support to verify.

11. DevicePort Manager utility initialization fails.

Answer:

It may cause by communicating time-gap between PC’s Ethernet driver and

DevicePort® driver. DevicePort® Manager utility does not initialize successfully when
PC system booting.

However, you still can execute DevicePort® Control Cent e r program from this link:

C:\Program Files\SUNIX\DevicePort\ DevicePortControlCenter.exe

If above error message always happen when your PC booting, please try to update
your Ethernet card’s driver from NIC (Network interface controller) vendor. Or you could
send your PC system and NIC information to us to get help.

61

12. I forgot the password to access secure DevicePort®.

Answer:

If you forgot access password, please use Reset Button to restore factory default

settings manually. Factory default setting is free for connection without password
protection.

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■ RS-232

■ Multi I/O

■ Printer

5.2 Product Family

Mode Port Connector Baud Rate ESD Protection PoweredCOM Model

Dock

Advanced

8 DB9M 921.6Kbps
8 DB9M 115.2Kbps - DPKS08H00
4 DB9M 921.6Kbps - DPKX04H00
4 DB9M 115.2Kbps - DPKS04H00
4 DB44F 115.2Kbps - DPKS04HZ0
4 DB9M 115.2Kbps 5VDC DPKS04HP0
4 DB44F 115.2Kbps 5VDC DPKS04HZP
2 DB9M 921.6Kbps - DPKX02H00
2 DB9M

2 DB9M 115.2Kbps 5VDC DPKS02HP0
32 RJ45 921.6Kbps - DPAS32G00
16 RJ45 921.6Kbps - DPAS16G00

8 DB9M 921.6Kbps - DPAX08H00

8 DB9M 115.2Kbps - DPAS08H00

115.2Kbps

±15KV

±15KV

- DPKX08H00

- DPKS02H00

4 DB9M 921.6Kbps - DPAX04H00

4 DB9M 115.2Kbps - DPAS04H00

4 DB44F 115.2Kbps - DPAS04HZ0

4 DB44F 115.2Kbps 5VDC DPAS04HZP

Mode

Dock

Advanced

Port Connector Speed ESD

COM Printer COM Printer COM Printer

2 1 DB9M DB25F 115.2Kbps 2.7MBps
1 1 DB9M DB25F 115.2Kbps 2.7MBps DPKM11H00
2 1 DB9M DB25F 115.2Kbps 2.7MBps
1 1 DB9M DB25F 115.2Kbps 2.7MBps DPAM11H00

Protection

DPKM21H00

±15KV

DPAM21H00

±15KV

Mode Port Connector Speed ESD Protection Model

Dock 1 DB25F 2.7MBps

Advanced 1 DB25F 2.7MBps

±15KV
±15KV

DPKP01H00
DPAP01H00

Model

63

5.3 Contact Information

Customer satisfaction is our number one concern, and to ensure that customers receive the
full benefit of our products, SUNIX services has been set up to provide technical suppor t,
driver updates, product information, and user’s manual updates.

The following services are provided

E-mail for technical support

................................... [e-mail]

World Wide Web (WWW) Site for product information:

............................http://www.sunix.com

Headquarters

Taiwan

Sunix Co., Ltd.

Te l：[phone]
Fax：[phone]

Website：www.sunix.com
E-mail ：[e-mail]

America

SUNIX USA, INC.

Te l：[phone]
Fax：[phone]
Website：www.sunix.com
E-mail ：[e-mail]

Germany

Sunix Vertriebs Gmbh

Te l：[phone]
Fax：[phone]

Website：www.sunix-europe.com
E-mail ：[e-mail]

China

Shanghai Oce

Te l：[phone]
Fax：[phone]

Website：www.sunix.com.cn
E-mail ：[e-mail]

Beijing Oce

Te l：[phone]
Fax：[phone]

Shenzhen Oce

Te l：[phone]

Made in China

771-DPAS00000-S01