IE-CS(T)-2TX-xRS232/485
Choosing the Proper Operation Mode
4-2
Overview
IE-CS(T)-2TX-xRS232/485 serial device servers network-enable traditional RS-232/422/485 devices, in which
a Serial Device Server is a tiny computer equipped with a CPU, real-time OS, and TCP/IP protocols that can
bi-directionally translate data between the serial and Ethernet formats. Your computer can access, manage,
and configure remote facilities and equipment over the Internet from anywhere in the world.
Traditional SCADA and data collection systems rely on serial ports (RS-232/422/485) to collect data from
various kinds of instruments. Since the IE-CS(T)-2TX-xRS232/485 serial device servers network-enable
instruments equipped with an RS-232/422/485 communication port, your SCADA and data collection system
will be able to access all instruments connected to a standard TCP/IP network, regardless of whether the
devices are used locally or at a remote site.
The IE-CS(T)-2TX-xRS232/485 is an external IP-based network device that allows you to expand the number
of serial ports for a host computer on demand. As long as your host computer supports the TCP/IP protocol, you
won’t be limited by the host computer’s bus limitation (such as ISA or PCI), or lack of drivers for various
operating systems.
In addition to providing socket access, the IE-CS(T)-2TX-xRS232/485 also comes with a Real COM/TTY driver
that transmits all serial signals intact. This means that your existing COM/TTY-based software can be preserved,
without needing to invest in additional software.
Three different Socket Modes are available: TCP Server, TCP Client, and UDP Server/Client. The main
difference between the TCP and UDP protocols is that TCP guarantees delivery of data by requiring the recipient
to send an acknowledgement to the sender. UDP does not require this type of verification, making it possible
to offer speedier delivery. UDP also allows unicast or multicast of data to only one IP or groups of IP addresses.
Real COM Mode
The IE-CS(T)-2TX-xRS232/485 comes equipped with COM
drivers that work with Windows
95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP/2003/Vista/2008/7/XP x64/2003
x64/Vista x64/2008 x64/7 x64 systems, and also TTY
drivers for Linux or Unix systems. The driver establishes a
transparent connection between host and serial device by
mapping the IP:Port of the IE-CS(T)-2TX-xRS232/485’s
serial port to a local COM/TTY port on the host computer.
Real COM Mode also supports up to eight simultaneous
connections, so that multiple hosts can collect data from the
same serial device at the same time.
ATTENTION
The driver used for Real COM Mode comes with the Weidmüller SE-Converter Administration Tool. The driver
is installed automatically on your computer when you install the SE-Converter Administrator.
One of the major conveniences of using Real COM Mode is that Real COM Mode allows users to continue using
RS-232/422/485 serial communications software that was written for pure serial communications applications.
The driver intercepts data sent to the host’s COM port, packs it into a TCP/IP packet, and then redirects it
through the host’s Ethernet card. At the other end of the connection, the IE-CS(T)-2TX-xRS232/485 accepts
the Ethernet frame, unpacks the TCP/IP packet, and then transparently sends it to the appropriate serial device
attached to one of the IE-CS(T)-2TX-xRS232/485’s serial ports.
