Serial to Ethernet Complete Guide

Updated: Oct 14, 2024

Serial to Ethernet technology is being used in many fields. There are plenty of adapters, converters, and serial device servers. In this article, we will talk about two main serial to ethernet solutions: hardware (adapters, converters, etc.) and the software option.

Contents

What is the use of the serial to Ethernet hardware?
1. How does a serial to Ethernet technology work?
The simplest Serial to Ethernet solution
1. Steps to connect Serial port to Ethernet network

A Serial to Ethernet adapter (converter) is essential for enabling devices with RS232, RS422, or RS485 serial interfaces to connect to a local area network. This hardware connector efficiently transmits serial data over wired or wireless Ethernet, converting serial data signals into Ethernet (TCP or UDP) packets, and vice versa. It ensures reliable data transmission to other devices or network server applications by encapsulating the serial data into Ethernet packets in a way that best suits the type of data being transported.

The Serial to Ethernet connectors and adapters feature a physical wired or wireless (LTE or WiFi) Ethernet connection on one end and one or more serial ports on the other, designed to make remote access to connected devices function as if you were directly connected to the serial port via cable. When choosing a connector, it is crucial to opt for advanced features such as security, data encryption, and user authentication to protect network transmissions and access to network equipment. There is also a software Serial to Ethernet Connector option available on the market, which works the same way as a hardware converter, but no cords or any hardware needed.

What is the use of the serial to Ethernet hardware?

This tool's main purpose is to communicate between serial devices and a computer via its COM ports that recognize the signals sent by a serial port over Ethernet. In practice, this means that using RS-232 to Ethernet hardware, you can access any serial device located within the Ethernet (LAN) network from your machine, or manage a remote COM port peripheral over the Internet in case you use a Virtual Personal Network (VPN) or DNS.

Utilizing a Serial to Ethernet connector is indispensable in scenarios where you need to:

Replace serial cabling with Ethernet while continuing to use serial devices.
Set up virtual COM ports to connect PCs or servers to remote serial devices via Ethernet.
Communicate with multiple serial devices simultaneously across a network.
Replace legacy serial dial-up modem connections.
Manage the serial console ports on devices like servers, routers, switches, PBXs, and firewalls over Ethernet or through out-of-band connections.
Connect serial PLCs or digital signage equipment to Ethernet networks.

The use of an RS-485 to Ethernet connector can simplify the work of both a regular customer and the whole enterprise. The device can be applied in dispatching systems, commercial or technologically automated metering systems, serial to IP communications, and many other areas.

How does a serial to Ethernet technology work?

1.

First of all, when you buy an RS-232 Ethernet device, together with the hardware you get a driver software that needs to be installed on your PC. The program serves to create virtual COM ports in the system when the hardware is connected to your machine.

2.

All virtual serial ports created with the help of the device’s software appear in your computer’s Device Manager as local ones.

3.

This way, any COM port embedded in a serial to Ethernet hardware can be displayed in a remote computer as though it were its physical port.

4.

Now, any time you attach a serial device to a COM port of your RS-232 Ethernet connector, the peripheral is redirected to the virtual serial port of your computer and recognized by your PC as a local device.

The simplest Serial to Ethernet solution

A great alternative to hardware would be a Serial to Ethernet Connector. Dedicated software can provide your machine with remote access to any COM port peripheral over Ethernet, WAN, WLAN, VPN, or the Internet. The software allows you to share any number of real or virtual serial ports over the Internet or LAN. No additional hardware, cables, or wires are required to connect to any remote serial device with this software tool.

Steps to connect Serial port to Ethernet network

Serial to Ethernet Connector eliminates the need for physical connections when accessing serial devices from your computer. This dedicated software application supports remote communication over the Ethernet using serial protocols including RS232, RS422, and RS485. Without the need of additional cabling, you can manage and control serial devices over the network with the same functionality enjoyed by a direct physical connection.

Here is an overview of the steps required to use RS232 to Ethernet software on your machine.

1

Download and install the application on the computer that will share a serial port as well as the machine that will access it remotely.

2

Start Serial to Ethernet Connector on the host computer which will share the serial interface. Select the ‘Server’ option in the program and customize the connection settings if desired. When customization is complete, click the ‘Create connection’ to make the port available for sharing.

3

Launch Serial to Ethernet app on the computer that will access the serial port remotely and choose the ‘Client’ option to create the connection. Verify that you are using the same hostname and port number defined when you created the connection in the previous step and then click ‘Connect’.

With these simple steps you have achieved a connection that provides complete access to the remote device which can be used as if it were directly attached to the client computer.

Serial to Ethernet Connector

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