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For modem applications
Working with the included TacServe Edition of DialOut/EZ or TTYredirector client software,
a TacServe modem server consolidates desktop modems for lower total cost and easier administration.
For serial device applications
Working with the included TacServe Edition of Serial/IP or TTYredirector client software, a TacServe serial server provides a fast and economical alternative to modems for long-distance serial data communication.
TacServe Basics
Installs on the server computer in minutes.
Displays a list of the server's COM ports.
Makes selected COM ports available to COM port redirectors running on client computers.
Hunt group automatically provides the next available shared COM port.
Multiple port groups allow "virtual modem pools".
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Features and Benefits
Shares the server's COM ports and devices
Supports large-scale applications
Creates modem pools or serial servers
Multiple "port groups" of shared COM ports
Independently configurable
Settings for access, security
Idle and session timeouts
User authentication
Limits device use to designated users
Up to three sources of credentials
Dialing restrictions
Allow/block modem calls with dialing rules
COM port control protocol (IETF RFC-2217)
Allows redirector control of serial lines
Runs as a Windows service, no login required
Supports unattended server applications
Displays, logs, and traces sessions
Supplies high-precision diagnostic data
Logs connections and modem numbers dialed
Allows usage monitoring
Call and event log data available via ODBC
Data accessible to third-party tools
Optional Encryption up to 256-bit AES
SSL protection of redirector data
Certificate validation ensures client identity
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Modem Dial-out Applications |
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Serial Device Applications |
Financial Services
— Private databases
— Insurance quotations
— High-security transactions
— Point-to-point data communication Retail
— Sales data polling
— Database updates
— Point-of-sale system management Healthcare
— Insurance data exchange
— Branch office synchronization
— Secure access to off-Internet sites
— High-availability paging
Network Infrastructure
— Out-of-band management/monitoring
— Router/server console access
— Power control
Transportation / Utilities
— Remote equipment control
— Automated meter reading |
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Industrial Automation
— Machine tool control
— Bar code readers
— Process control
Data Communications
— SCADA systems
Building Automation
— Entry and access control
— HVAC systems
Telecom
— Cellular/wireless system control
— Out of band management |
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System Requirements
Microsoft Windows XP sp1/sp2, XP x64, Server 2003, 2003 x64, 2000, NT 4 sp4+, Terminal Services; Citrix MetaFrame.
Intel-compatible PC, 32-bit or 64-bit (x64) processor, including hyperthreaded and multiprocessor systems.
Disk and RAM requirements: Same as supported Windows platforms.
Compatible COM Port Redirectors
Tactical Software DialOut/EZ and Serial/IP Redirectors 4.x and later.
Tactical Software TTYredirector for Linux x86.
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Key Features
Shares Windows COM ports in multiple port groups, each with its own settings for COM port properties, user authentication and modem dialing restrictions.
Can create a PC-based server sharing modems, serial ports, or both.
Includes free client COM port redirector software for modem and serial applications.
Shared ports in each group
accessible as a hunt group and/or individually.
User authentication against credentials in Windows or TacServe credentials for the server (global) or each port group.
Microsoft Management Console (MMC) user interface with remote administration support.
Real-time activity display.
Dialing restrictions via ordered rules with flexible pattern matching and accept/deny.
Call and event logs, accessible via ODBC.
Diagnostic trace display.
Windows service, user login optional.
TCP/IP Telnet with COM Port Control extensions (IETF RFC-2217).
Encryption option available. |
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The Modem Server
— Windows-based PC
— On LAN or Internet
— External modems
— Multi-modem boards
— T1 PRI modem boards
TacServe COM Port Server
— Runs on the server PC
— Shares modems
— Pools modems
— Can require user login
DialOut/EZ COM Port Redirector
— Runs on client PC
— Creates virtual ports
— Connects to TacServe
— Relays COM port data
— Can supply user login
— Can encrypt data
The Application
— Uses virtual COM port
or Windows modem
device
— Reads/writes data
— Uses server's modems
— No software changes
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When modem servers are used to replace desktop modems, the total number of modems and telephone lines are often reduced 50-90%. Groups of interactive modem users are a typical example. Modem capacity on the server supports actual peak demand for modems.
Modem servers are also very effective for production applications that need large numbers of modems for large-scale data polling and similar applications. Modem resources can be separated from application servers and divided into multiple locations to increase reliability.
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The Serial Device Server
— Windows-based PC
— On LAN or Internet
— Serial devices
attached
TacServe COM Port Server
— Runs on server PC
— Shares COM ports
— Can require user
login
Serial/IP COM Port Redirector
— Runs on client PCs
— Virtual COM ports
— Connects to
TacServe
— Relays COM port data
— Can supply user login
— Can encrypt data
The Application
— Uses Serial/IP COM
ports
— Reads/writes data
— Accesses the
TacServe ports
— No software changes
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A TacServe-based serial server provides an economical way to use your existing PC hardware to make remote serial devices available to your serial device applications.
When located on an enterprise LAN, a serial server solution allows you to separate serial devices from the computer(s) running your applications. Distances to devices is no longer a problem. Cabling is simplified.
You can also use the Internet network connection between the Serial/IP Redirector and the TacServe COM Port Server. Both products support SSL encryption to keep your data secure. The costs and performance limitations of modems are avoided.
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Setting Up |
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Testing |
Configure the server computer
Choose a Windows-based computer that has modems or serial devices that can be accessed using COM ports. This computer will run the TacServe software.
Download software
Download the TacServe COM Port Server software from the Tactical Software web site. A download of your choice of redirector software will be provided also.
Install the TacServe software
On the server computer, install the TacServe software. No license key is needed. At the end of the install, select the COM ports of the modems / serial devices to be shared.
Set up the client computer
Choose a client computer that will run an application that uses the shared modems or serial devices.
Install the redirector software downloaded in the preceding step.
At the end of the install, select one or more virtual COM ports and configure them to the IP address (or DNS name) of the server computer.
If you are testing a serial server, configure each virtual COM port to use TCP port numbers 7000 + the COM port number. For example, use 7005 to use COM5 on the server.
If you are using a modem server, configure each virtual COM port to use the TCP port number of the TacServe hunt group (7000).
If your client application uses Windows modem drivers (TAPI), you must install the modem driver on the client computer. You will be prompted to do this when installing the Redirector software. |
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Test access by the redirector
In the redirector's Control Panel, use the Configuration Wizard to check that the redirector communicates with the TacServe COM Port Server.
Try your client application
On the client computer, configure your application (or the Windows HyperTerminal program) to use the virtual COM ports created by the redirector.
For modem applications, you may use a TAPI modem that uses a virtual COM port. When your application opens the virtual COM port (or the TAPI modem that uses the virtual COM port), your application automatically begins using a modem or serial device on the server.
Notes
The redirector and TacServe software will run for 30 days, with all ports enabled and all standard features available.
Both the redirector and the TacServe COM Port Server have activity and tracing features that allow you to see what the software is doing at both client and server sides.
If you wish to test the Encryption Option, please contact Tactical Software for to obtain a special license key for the redirector.
If you later purchase a TacServe license, you do not need to reinstall the software.
During the evaluation period, technical support is available from Tactical Support by initiating a support request. |
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Client software also included for Windows 9x and Linux x86
