Terminal & Device Servers

The EKI-1200 series Modbus gateways are bi-directional gateways for integrating new and existing Modbus/RTU and Modbus/ASCII serial devices to newer TCP/IP networked-based devices. The EKI-1221/1222/1224 feature two independent Ethernet ports and MAC addresses to provide redundancy and reliability. They provide a simple and cost-effective way to bring remote management and data accessibility to thousands of devices that cannot otherwise connect to a network. The EKI-1221/1222/1224 allow users to select master or slave operation mode for each serial port. In addition to allowing an Ethernet master to control serial slaves, they also allow serial masters to control Ethernet slaves.

The EKI-1200 series Modbus gateways are bi-directional gateways for integrating new and existing Modbus/RTU and Modbus/ASCII serial devices to newer TCP/IP networked-based devices. The EKI-1228 has two independent Ethernet ports and MAC addresses to provide redundancy and reliability. They provide a simple and cost-effective way to bring remote management and data accessibility to thousands of devices that cannot connect to a network. EKI-1228 provides a feature that can allow users to select master or slave operation mode for each serial port. They not only allow an Ethernet master to control serial slaves, but also allow serial masters to control Ethernet slaves.

Ethernet Enable Any Serial Device Now you can Ethernet enable any serial device-even your legacy digital current loops. Use B&B's Vlinx Serial Server technology to put your serial ports to work for you. Imagine the ability to communicate with every piece of equipment from any networked PC. Eliminate site visits just to make a minor configuration changes. Reduce service calls and increase productivity by knowing what your equipment is doing before you get a trouble-report. Spend more time doing the work you are paid to do instead of chasing down nuisance problems in remotely located equipment.

Do you have equipment with RS-232/422/485 or current loop interfaces that you have left unconnected? Many new and existing installations have equipment with unused ports for programming, monitoring or diagnostics. With B&B's Vlinx Serial Servers, you can put all those ports to work for you.

Simply connect the Vlinx server to the equipment's serial port, and connect the Vlinx Ethernet port to your LAN. Your equipment is now online. It will appear as a local COM port on any networked PC running our Virtual Serial Port software. No software customization required, just run the appropriate software for your equipment.

Industry Applications

B&B Electronics' new Model ESP906CL integrates the benefits of Ethernet communications with existing serial devices by offering four configurable RS-232/422/485 serial ports and two digital current loop ports. The Ethernet connection will auto select 10BaseT or 100BaseTX. The ESP906CL provides a Windows host control over serial devices located virtually anywhere on a TCP/IP or UDP/IP Ethernet connection. It even gives authorized users control over the connected serial device or the ESP906CL Menu from anywhere outside the LAN.

Use the ESR to convert Ethernet to RS232 or convert Ethernet to RS485 to connect PLC's, CNC machines, HMI panels or any other industrial equipment that has an RS232, RS422 or RS485 serial port to the LAN. By installing an ESR Ethernet Serial Server you'll be able to communicate with that equipment from anywhere on the LAN or WAN, eliminating trips out to the plant for programming, diagnostics or data gathering.

No software changes required, the ESR Ethernet to RS-232 and RS-485 Converter can be transparent to your existing software making installation quick and easy. Your office or control room PC will show the device as if it had a direct serial communications connection to monitor and fine tune it. You can even troubleshoot the distant device from outside your LAN via the Internet.

Vlinx Manager software allows easy access to the serial server to configure the server and its ports, upgrade server firmware and monitor port status and activity. When the Vlinx Manager opens it will search for and display all serial servers on the network.

The Monitor Port feature allows you to use any PC on the LAN/WAN to actively view and troubleshoot the communications status. It shows when there is a client connection to the server and the client IP address. It displays the number of bytes transmitted and received as well as the status of the hardware handshaking lines.

ESR Ethernet to RS-232 and RS-485 Converters can be accessed and configured from an Internet Explorer web browser on the LAN/WAN. This allows you to remotely manage the software and your serial device. It also allows off-site troubleshooting.

When there is an interruption in communication the Serial Server will attempt to reconnect the TCP data connection every five seconds until communication is re-established. Without this feature a device that loses a connection and stops communicating would not be able to reconnect without a person attending to the problem. The Heartbeat feature works with virtual COM and paired mode.

ATEN launches a new generation of Serial Console Servers, the SN91xxCO Series (SN9108CO / SN9116CO). With single power / LAN in the SN91xxCO models, they integrate cutting edge technologies to provide convenient installation, secure serial device access, easy management and comprehensive control for data centers.

The SN91xxCO Series features Cisco pin-outs and auto-sensing DTE/DCE function, providing a direct connection to Cisco network switches (and other compatible devices) without rollover cables for even more time-saving IT infrastructure deployment. In addition, the SN91xxCO models support online detection of connected serial devices (including terminal blocks) for device status monitoring. A notification email alert will be sent to the administrator when connected devices are offline.

Implemented with various security technologies such as TLS 1.2 data encryption, RSA 2048-bit certificates, configurable user permissions for port access and control, local/remote/third-party authentication and authorization, IP/MAC address filter, and FIPS 140-2 certified cryptography, the SN91xxCO serial console servers assure administrators the security for easy and high-level access. For instance, access rights and privileges can be applied to 8/16 serial ports individually. Data encryption is provided to ensure that information and control are always protected. Logging and alerting of system events help to quickly resolve issues and mitigate risks. While secured by the above examples, the consolidated password authentication simplifies management.

The SN91xxCO Series is used to connect serial devices to an Ethernet network to allow access and control of demanding applications that manage industrial control, data acquisition, environment monitoring, remote facility operations and equipment management. Multiple operational modes are available to administrators including Console Management, Console Management Direct, Real COM Port, TCP Server/Client, UDP Server/Client, and Virtual Modem.

With its comprehensive features, the SN91xxCO Series helps to maximize IT productivity, increase scalability, as well as reduce installation and operational costs with easy and secure remote management of serial devices. The serial console servers save you time and money by allowing administrators to manage their data centers from practically anywhere - minimizing travel and MTTR (Mean Time to Repair) costs, ensuring the highest availability for data center services.