Serial to Ethernet converters - extended tutorial for technicians

Updated: Aug 6, 2024

In some cases, you may need to convert between Ethernet and serial transmissions, requiring a serial to Ethernet converter. This device, also known as a serial device server, comes in various sizes, and choosing the right one from the wide range available can be challenging. To assist you, we have compiled a list of the most popular serial to Ethernet converters known for their efficiency and user-friendliness.

The best Serial to Ethernet Converters

Serial to Ethernet Server by NetBurner

NetBurner Serial to Ethernet Converter is a popular hardware solution for converting serial data to Ethernet. The device comes with a virtual COM port utility requiring no programming experience. Designed for Windows OS, the program will help you access remote serial peripherals over Ethernet or share RS232 and RS485 to an Ethernet network. Inserted into a remote NetBurner server, a COM port device will appear in your machine's Device Manager like it was physically connected to the PC. The pre-programmed hardware offers data-converting functionality out of the box.

Serial-to-IP Ethernet Device Server

This 1-port serial device server enables you to connect, configure, and manage an RS-232 serial device over a LAN. It supports baud rates up to 230.4Kbps and offers browser-based or Virtual COM port software configuration. Additionally, it is compatible with the free StarTech.com Serial Device Application Software (NETRSAPP) for customized control interfaces on iOS and Android. It also supports remote Telnet configuration and various protocols such as IP, HTTP, ICMP, DHCP, ARP, TCP, and UDP.

Serial to Ethernet Converter software

Serial to Ethernet Connector is not limited by the distance. It lets you connect to any number of remote COM ports from your computer regardless of their physical location. To share a serial device to Ethernet, you only need to install the program on the server and client sides and configure connections.

With its help, you get access to serial ports supporting various protocols, no matter where they are located. Now you can forget your worries about the length of the cable connecting your serial device and computer. Serial to Ethernet Converter allows you to display and access serial ports converted to Ethernet as if they were on your local machine.

Step-by-step guide on Serial to Ethernet Converter software

1

Download the software, and install it on both computers – the one that shares a serial port and the one that needs access to it.

2

Launch the application on the computer that has the port to share, choose the ‘Server’ connection in the app, and customize settings, if required. Click ‘Create connection’ and open the port.

3

Launch the application on the other computer and create a ‘Client’ connection. Check that the hostname of the remote computer and the shared port number are identical to those set on the server. Click ‘Connect’.

That’s it, now you have full access to the functionality of the remote devices.

Moxa MGate 5103 Series

The MGate 5103 is an industrial Ethernet gateway that converts Modbus RTU/ASCII/TCP or EtherNet/IP to PROFINET-based network communications. It allows for the integration of existing Modbus devices onto a PROFINET network and supports easy configuration with Quick Setup. The gateway also features Modbus RTU/ASCII/TCP Protocol Traffic Monitor for troubleshooting communication issues.

RS232 to IP adapter by Perle

RS232 to IP adapter by Perle is another hardware converter widely used for sharing COM ports to Ethernet. Perle’s Terminal Server will be a good choice for those working with RS-232 ports. The efficient Perle IOLAN converters are available in different cable connector types and offer customizable baud rates.

SerialLynx solution

To share the serial devices to Ethernet, you can also use Serial-to-Ethernet converter by SerialLynx. The hardware unit of this solution converts serial data going through its COM ports into TCP/IP data so that the data can be transmitted across wired or wireless Ethernet and received by a remote computer. With SerialLynx solution you can share up to two wired COM port peripherals. Serial communication is possible if a device is physically connected to a serial port of the hardware unit.

Lantronix UDS1100 - RS232/422/485 to Ethernet converter

UDS1100 is a single-port device server that lets access and control serial equipment and share RS232 to Ethernet. This compact solution can support RS232, RS-422, or RS-485 interfaces and provides a fast and reliable connection over Ethernet. Thanks to a built-in web server, the hardware can be configured right from your web browser.

Hardware solutions to convert RS232 to Ethernet

Hardware converters with RS232/485 to Ethernet technology are compact servers that connect autonomous devices with serial interfaces to Ethernet.

If you are going to work with serial ports over network protocols, there’s a good chance that you’ll need a special tool called RS485 to Ethernet converter (known alternatively as serial to Ethernet adapter). This solution is designed to convert data received from an RS232/485 port into TCP/IP data. The tool provides users with the ability to fully interact with remote COM ports without having them physically present on their local machines. Any remote serial port can be shared and accessed over the network with the help of RS232 over Ethernet solution.

Types of Serial to Ethernet Connectors:

The device can be called a serial to Ethernet converter, adapter, console, or device server and comes in various models, depending on the number of fitted serial ports. Here are some examples of serial to Ethernet hardware:

1-port model, multiport model, wireless model

NetPort by L-com is one of the most popular implementations of a single-port serial server. This RS232-to-Ethernet cable connector with a built-in web server lets any peripheral inserted into it be shared over the TCP/IP protocol stack. The solution is designed to connect an RS-232 serial port to an Ethernet IP network and costs $143.25.

Serial to Ethernet connectors usually fit from 1 to 48 COM ports. However, the number of ports can vary depending on the manufacturer. Serial servers that have from 1 to 8 COM ports are known as multi-port models.

8-port Serial Device Server ESE-400D by B&B Electronics is a good example of such a multi-port device. The server supports RS-232, RS-422, and 485 standards on all serial ports. Featured with a built-in web server the device can be easily configured through a web browser. The solution supports serial tunneling, IP multicast, surge suppression, and +5V Out option. The server can be purchased for $875.00.

In case you need to connect your serial or Ethernet devices to a wireless LAN, a good idea will be to try a wireless device server like NPort W2000A Series by MOXA. This 2-port RS-232/422/485 tool is able to link a serial device to an IEEE 802.11a/b/g network. The solution features a built-in WLAN site survey tool and supports offline port buffering and serial data logging. What’s more, the server provides secure data access with WEP, WPA, and WPA2. The price for this hardware device starts from $305.

The problem here is that just like any hardware solution, it has certain restrictions:

The number of converted devices is strictly limited by the converter’s specification. Manufacturers typically make converters with 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, or 32 ports.
Also, note that not all converters provide simultaneous support to RS422/232/485 protocols. More often you have to choose one type of serial port protocol.
To display a serial device on your computer, you will need additional software to emulate a virtual serial port.

How to set up RS232 to Ethernet adapter:

1.

First, assign a static IP address to your computer.

2.

Before using a Serial to Ethernet hardware solution, you will be required to install a software driver on your computer. This driver software, which is often referred to as virtual COM software, is commonly included with your converter purchase. The software creates a virtual serial port that is visible in Device Manager when the converter is connected to the machine.

3.

Connect the RS232 to Ethernet converter to your computer using either a standard Ethernet cable or crossover or straight-through cable. Connect it to the power supply. To check the connection, enter the converter’s IP address in your browser and press Enter. This should take you to the Admin’s page, and if you do not see it, redo the setup procedure for the converter.

4.

Launch the software and click ‘Search’. Once your RS232 to Ethernet converter is found, click the ‘Create COM port’ button to create a virtual port.

Now go to Device Manager on your computer – the newly created port should be displayed there. If it is nowhere to be seen, go back to the setup procedure.

Serial to Ethernet converter - who is it for?

A Serial to Ethernet converter is usually used to enable a device with a serial interface to connect to a remote computer over a network. Many industrial and consumer devices are equipped with RS232/RS422/RS485 ports. By using an RS232 to Ethernet adapter you can access and control remote printers, barcode scanners, industrial monitoring sensors, and any other network-attached serial device from one central location. This saves time and increases your efficiency.

To conveniently work with such equipment we need to access remote devices, and the easiest way to do it would be to convert a serial port to Ethernet. Serial to Ethernet Converter is an electronic appliance or specialized software that converts RS232, RS485, or RS422 serial data signals to Ethernet. Both software and hardware Serial to Ethernet Adapters work in the same way. The serial port signal goes to the network connection and it is converted to the dedicated network protocol (TCP/IP/Ethernet). To receive this connection on the remote computer RS232 converter performs the opposite - converts network protocol to the serial signal again.

So, the importance of having an RS232 to Ethernet Converter, when you work with serial devices, is obvious. There are two ways to complete the remote access for your serial port device or app - software and hardware converters.

Conclusions

Any of the RS232 to Ethernet converters we have discussed will perform the task of conversion between serial and TCP/IP signals. The choice that offers the simplest solution is Serial over Ethernet Converter software. Most serial to Ethernet adapters are hardware devices that also require you to install software drivers, complicating your setup. Serial to Ethernet Connector converts your transmission without the need for any additional hardware. Simply install the software and adjust a few settings and you are ready to go. Using of this application lets you see and access your remote devices as if they were physically connected to your computer.

Serial to Ethernet Connector

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