----------- TCP2RS -------------- User’s manual -------------------- page 5/43
5
1: Introduction
The TCP2RS Device Server connects serial devices to Ethernet networks using the IP
protocol family (TCP for connection-oriented stream applications and UDP for datagram
applications). A few of the different types of serial devices supported are listed below:
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Time/Attendance Clocks and Terminals
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ATM Machines
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CNC Controllers
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Data Collection Devices
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Universal Power Supply (UPS) Management Units
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Telecommunications Equipment
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Data Display Devices
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Security Alarms and Access Control Devices
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Handheld Instruments
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Modems
The TCP2RS connects these devices through a TCP data channel or through a Telnet
connection to computers or another Device Server. Datagrams can be sent by UDP.
1.1 Network Protocols
The TCP2RS uses IP protocol for network communications. The supported protocols are
ARP, UDP, TCP, ICMP, Telnet, TFTP, DHCP, HTTP, and SNMP. For connections to
the serial port, TCP, UDP or Telnet protocols are used. Firmware updates can be
performed using TFTP.
The Internet Protocol (IP) defines addressing, routing, and data block handling over the
network. The Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) assures that no data is lost or
duplicated, and that everything sent to the connection arrives correctly at the target.
For typical datagram applications in which devices interact with other devices without
maintaining a point-to-point connection, User Datagram Protocol (UDP) is used.
