The Data Connect
EPORT104 Serial Device Server

The Data Connect Eport-104 Ethernet serial server connects RS-232, 422, 485 serial devices to an Ethernet LAN/WAN providing a reliable communication connection. The Data Connect Eport-104 Windows driver installs virtual COM ports in the Device Manager of the operating system. The virtual COM port is designed to establish a connection with the Data Connect Eport-104. This in turn will allow communications with the connected serial device in the same manner as device connected to the COM port in a PC. The LAN becomes transparent to the serial device and the software running on the PC. The Data Connect Eport-104 also offers a Heart Beat feature to insure a reliable communications connection.

The Data Connect Eport-104 can be configured as a TCP Client/Server or UDP. The Data Connect Eport-104 operates in “Direct IP Mode”, “Virtual COM Mode”, and “Paired Mode”.

In Direct IP Mode the Direct IP connection allow applications using TCP/IP or UDP/IP network socket programs to communicate with the asynchronous serial port on the Data Connect Eport-104. In this type of application the Data Connect Eport-104 is configured to TCP/IP network socket program running on the PC establishes a communication connection with the Data Connect Eport-104. The raw data is sent directly to and from the serial port.

The Virtual COM mode requires the installation of virtual COM port device driver. In this mode, the Data Connect Eport-104 must be set to either TCP/server or UDP/server in the menu with a designed communication port number.

The Virtual COM driver is a TCP or UDP client. Once the connection is made, the LAN is transparent to serial device. Applications work just if the serial device is connected a hosts physical COM port. The virtual COM port converts the application’s data into IP packet destined for the Data Connect Eport-104, which in turn converts the IP packet back to serial data.
Paired mode is also called serial tunneling. When this type of configuration is selected, no additional software is needed to install in a host PC. In fact a PC is not required to make the connection. Any two dumb serial devices that can communicate with each other through a serial link will be able to communicate using the Data Connect Eport-104 and the LAN.

Two The Data Connect Eport-4s are configured with one setup as a TCP or UDP client and the other to TCP/UDP server. When setting up the Server, the remote IP address section must contain the address of the Client. This will allow the Client’s IP address to pass the IP address-filtering feature of the Server. Conversely, the Remote IP address of the Client must contain the Server’s IP address. In the Heat Beat protocol the Data Connect Eport-104 provides a convenient way to establish reliable communications between two devices. Communication port 5300 is reversed for the Heartbeat Protocol. If a loss feature connection occurs the Heart Beat will try to reconnect the TCP data connection every 5 seconds until communications is established again.

Features

  • DIN Rail or Panel mount
  • Supports 10/100Mbps Ethernet
  • Supports RS-232, RS-422, and RS-485 serial interface
  • Supports LAN and WAN communications
  • In Server mode supports individual client sessions for security
  • Management access password protected
  • Virtual COM drivers for Windows NT/98/ME/2000/XP
  • Supports socket connection, TCP server, TCP  client, and UDP
  • Supports up to 8 TCP connections in TCP Server mode
  • Heart Beat connection ensures reliable TCP connection against power failure or network disruption
  • Supports loop back mode. Data is echoed back for easily testing the connection

 

Specifications

Serial Buffer:
Output: 32K bytes
Input: 8K bytes per port

Serial Connection:
DTE – BD- 9 male

LAN:
10/100Mbps Auto-detecting – 10 base T, 100 Base TX

Serial Interface:
RS-232: TX, RX, RTS, CTS, DTR, DSR, DCD, GND
RS-422: TX+, TX-, RX+, RX-, RTS+, RTS-, CTS+, CTS-, GND
RS-485: Data +, Data-, GND

Date Rate:
110 bps to 230.4k bps

Parity:
none, even, odd, mark, space

Data Bits:
5, 6, 7, or 8

Stop Bits:
1, 1.5, or 2

Protocol:
TCP, IP

Management:
Manager Software, Serial Console, Telnet, Web server, Firmware upgradable

Dimension:
Eport-104 – 4.5 X 7.3 X 1.1 in (11.4 x 18.5 x 2.9 cm)

Power Requirement:
9~15VDC 500mA

Operating Temperature:
0 to 50°C (32 to 122°F)

Storage Temperature
-20° to +60°C (-4 to +140°F)

Humidity:
0-90% Non-Condensing

Approvals:
CE, FCC

PIN Assignment 

Ordering Information

DCE/EPORT-104
DCE/EPORT-104-LV