Features

Installs on the client computer, no server software required.

Displays available COM ports not used by local hardware.

User-selected virtual COM ports are separately configurable to initiate or accept connections by TCP address and port number.

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

Applications use virtual COM ports instead of local COM ports.

Supports both outbound and inbound connections.

Options

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

Benefits

Transparently network-enables serial apps.

Retains the simplicity of COM ports.

Allows choice among TCP/IP-based device server brands and models.

Permits easy scale-up of growing applications.

Licensing

Licensed per computer (seat license) for a specified maximum number of active virtual COM ports.

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 serial device server, optionally support COM Port Control extensions (RFC 2217) of the Telnet protocol.

Factory/Industrial Automation
   — Factory floor data acquisition
   — PLCs
   — CNC machines
   — Wafer fabrication tools
   — Process control  
   — Barcode readers
   — SCADA systems

Telecom/Network Infrastructure
   — Out-of-band management/monitoring
   — Router/server console access
   — Colocation equipment power control
   — Cellular/wireless system control

Retail / Point-of-Sale
   — Sales terminals
   — Barcode readers
   — Credit card payment terminals

Building Automation/Security/Access
   — Lighting, HVAC
   — Entry control
   — Power monitoring
   — Video transmission
   — Time clocks
   — Alarm control panels

Transportation / Utilities
   — Remote equipment control
   — Automated meter reading
   — Power grid management

Virtual COM Ports
• Up to 4,096 configurable
• IP address or hostname
• TCP port number
• Automatic server login
• Server synchronization on
   COM port open
• Outbound and inbound
   connections

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

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/DSR/CTS Emulation
• 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
• Optional modem test
• Verifies SSL configuration
• 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
• Windows Vista, 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 4,096 virtual COM ports

The Serial Device Server
 — Located on LAN or Internet
 — Uses TCP/IP protocols
 — SSL encryption optional
 — Accepts a network connection
     for each serial device

Device Server Configuration
 — IP address
 — SSL encryption, if used
 — TCP port numbers that
     correspond to serial devices

Serial/IP COM Port Redirector
 — Runs on the app computer
 — Creates virtual COM ports
 — Configured with 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
     serial device through the
     server

The Application
 — Opens Serial/IP COM port(s)
 — Reads/writes serial data
 — No software changes

The Serial Device Server
 — Located on LAN or Internet
 — Uses TCP/IP protocols
 — SSL encryption optional
 — Accepts network connections
     to serial devices

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

Serial/IP COM Port Redirector
 — Runs on the app computer
 — Creates virtual COM ports
 — Configured to accept connections
     on TCP port numbers
 — Accepts connections on those
     TCP ports
 — Relays data to the application

The Application
 — Opens Serial/IP COM port(s)
 — Waits for data and/or DTR/DCD
 — Reads/writes serial data
 — No software changes

Setting Up

Testing

Configure the serial server

Using the manufacturer's instructions, place the serial server on your network and connect it to a serial device that will be used in the test. 

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 Serial/IP Redirector from the Tactical Software web site.

Install the redirector software

On the computer that runs your application, install the Serial/IP 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 Serial/IP Control Panel, configure this virtual COM port with the IP address of the serial server and the TCP port number noted in the first step above.

In the Serial/IP Control Panel, use the Configuration Wizard to check your configuration settings.

Access the serial device

On the client computer, configure your application to use the Serial/IP COM port.

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

Notes

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

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

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

If you later purchase a Serial/IP 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.