Features

Installs on the client computer, server software not required.

Virtual COM ports are created on user-selected Windows COM ports.

Virtual COM ports are separately configurable with server IP address, TCP port, and application compatibility options.

Configuration Wizard automatically detects server protocol support and verifies access to modems.

Applications use shared modems through DialOut/EZ COM ports directly or by opening related Windows modem devices.

Options

Encryption protects all data on the connection to the modem server, including any login credentials. Supports multiple ciphers and strengths, up to 256-bit AES.

Benefits

Transparently moves modems from desktops to networked modem servers.

Enables significant cost savings and convenience of shared modems.

Allows choice of TCP/IP modem servers.

Licensing

Seat and site licenses available.

Seat license (for a computer) enables a specified maximum number of active virtual COM ports on the computer.

Site license (for all computers at a site) enables a maximum number of active virtual COM ports for all computers at the site, combined.

System Requirements

Intel-compatible PC, 32-bit or 64-bit (x64) processor, including hyperthreaded and multiprocessor systems.

Microsoft Windows XP sp1/sp2, XP x64, Server 2003, 2003 x64, 2000, NT 4 sp4+, 98, 95, Terminal Services;  Citrix MetaFrame.

Disk and RAM requirements: Same as supported Windows platforms.

TCP/IP-based modem server, optionally support COM Port Control extensions (RFC 2217) of the Telnet protocol.

Financial Services
   — Credit reports
   — Credit card processing
   — Transactions

Healthcare
   — Insurance claims
   — Off-Internet communications

Transportation
   — Mass transit
   — Trucking
   — Parcel shipping

Utilities
   — Automated meter reading
   — Monitoring and control

Network Services
   — Out-of-band router management
   — Server console access
   — Private LAN access

Retail
   — Point-of-sale
   — Kiosks
   — Branch data download

Virtual COM Ports
• Up to 4,096 configurable
• IP address or DNS name
• TCP port number
• Automatic server login
• Server synchronization on
   COM port open
• Outbound (dial-out) and
   inbound connections

Network
• Telnet or raw TCP
• Telnet COM Port Control
   option (RFC 2217)
• Telnet CR padding
• Automatic IP routing table
   management

SSL Encryption (Optional)
• High-performance
   kernel version embedded
   in redirector driver
• RC2, RC4, DES, 3DES,
   AES ciphers
• 40 to 256 bits
• Certificate authentication
• Certificate supply to peer
• OpenSSL 0.97 with
   all applicable security
   patches

SSL Options
• Selectable SSL v3 / TLS v1
• Cipher selection
• Strength range
• Cipher set preview
• Certificate validation criteria
• Certificate authority file
• Certificate PEM file
• Certificate password
   retention

COM Port Options
• Network protocol
• Lost connection recovery
• DTR for modem escape
• SSLv3/TLSv1 negotiation
• Named presets

Redirector Options
• Reconnect interval
• COM port close delay
• TCP Nagle algorithm disable
• Server synchronization
• Route table update
• Serial data rate throttling
• Port closure delay

Server Login Credentials
• Current Windows user
• Prompt at user login
• Prompt at COM port open
• Supplied in Control Panel
• Automatic prepend of
   Windows domain

Configuration Wizard
• Checks network to server
• Tests server login
• Detects protocol support
• Tests modem operation
• Recommends settings

Port Activity Display
• Live indicators for TX, RX,
   DTR, DSR, DCD
• Network peer IP address
• Connection status

Port Trace Display
• High-resolution timestamp
• COM port operations
• Serial port signal status
• Baud rate, framing
• Data transmitted/received
• Protocol negotiation
• Auto-reconnect operations
• Text or hex format
• Save to file, load from file

Supported Platforms
• Vista, Windows XP,
   Server 2003, 2000,
   NT 4, 98, 95
• Windows XP x64,
   Server 2003 x64
• Terminal Services,
   Citrix Metaframe AS
• Hyperthreaded processors
• Multiprocessor systems

Installation
• Interactive, command line,
   and unattended installs
• MSI file available
• Configuration snapshot
• Optional configuration lock
   to administrator only
• Runs as Windows service
• Up to 6,096 virtual COM ports

The Modem Server
 — Located on LAN or Internet
 — Uses TCP/IP protocols
 — SSL encryption optional
 — Accepts network connections
     from redirectors
 — Allocates its modems

Modem Server Configuration
 — IP address
 — SSL encryption, if used
 — TCP port numbers that
     correspond to modems or
     modem pools

DialOut/EZ Redirector
 — Runs on the app computer
 — Creates virtual COM ports
 — Configured with the IP address
     and TCP port numbers for
     serial server devices
 — Initiates TCP connections to the
     server when virtual COM ports
     are opened
 — Relays application data to the
     modem server

The Application
 — Opens DialOut/EZ COM port(s)
     or related modem devices
 — Reads/writes serial data
 — No software changes

The Modem Server
 — Located on LAN or Internet
 — Uses TCP/IP protocols
 — SSL encryption optional
 — Accepts network connections
     from redirectors
 — Answers incoming modem calls

Device Server Configuration
 — How the device causes the
     connection to start
 — IP address of the app computer
 — TCP port number of the desired
     virtual COM port

DialOut/EZ COM Port Redirector
 — Runs on the app computer
 — Creates virtual COM ports
 — Relays data to the application

The Application
 — Opens DialOut/EZ COM port
 — Initializes modem on the server
 — Waits for RI and answers
     or waits for DCD
 — Reads/writes serial data
 — No software changes

Setting Up

Testing

Configure the modem server

Using the manufacturer's instructions, place the modem server on your network and connect it to telephone lines. 

For later use, note two things: the IP address of the server and the TCP port number at which it will allow access to the serial device.

Download redirector software

Download a trial copy of the DialOut/EZ Redirector from the Tactical Software web site.

Install the redirector software

On the computer that runs your application, install the DialOut/EZ software.  No license key is needed.  The software will be fully operational for 30 days on this computer.

At the end of the install, select an available COM port to become a virtual COM port.  In the DialOut/EZ Control Panel, configure this virtual COM port with the IP address of the modem server and the TCP port number noted in the first step above.

In the DialOut/EZ Control Panel, use the Configuration Wizard to check your configuration settings.

Access the modem

On the client computer, configure your application to use the DialOut/EZ COM port.

If you do not currently have a modem application, use the HyperTerminal application included with the Windows operating system.

Notes

The DialOut/EZ Redirector will run under a temporary license for 30 days, with all ports enabled and all standard features available.

The DialOut/EZ activity and tracing features allow you to see details of the communication between the DialOut/EZ Redirector and the serial server.

If you wish to test SSL Encryption, please contact Tactical Software for to obtain a special DialOut/EZ license key that enables that feature.

If you later purchase a DialOut/EZ license, you will not need to reinstall the software.

During the evaluation period, technical support is available from Tactical Support by initiating a support request.