Chapter 1
Introduction
This chapter provides an overview of the EtherPath's features and capabilities.
ongratulations on the purchase of your new EtherPath X4 serial server. The EtherPath is a versatile
product that enables serial communications devices to operate via Ethernet. It is designed to easily
connect up to four serial port devices to your network. A remote PC or other serial device can then be used
to monitor, configure, manage and send or receive data to the serial port devices through the LAN/WAN.
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The EtherPath can receive data from any asynchronous serial device, convert the data to a valid IP packet,
and transmit that data over the LAN/WAN. Serial devices can then be accessed from anywhere on your
LAN/WAN by any workstation computer running telnet, dedicated software, or COM: port redirection
software. Two EtherPaths may be used in “nailed-up” mode to build a “RS-232 path” through the
WAN/LAN. Multiple EtherPaths may be connected via Ethernet by using them in Point-to-Multiple point
"AT Dial " mode.
The EtherPath-X4 provides four independent serial ports, each accessible using the same IP address and
different, configurable port numbers.
Some serial port devices in common use are Bar Code Readers, UPSs, SCADA RTUs, security alarms,
access control devices, timeclocks, POS terminals, and multiplexers.
For easy connection to your LAN, the EtherPath supports both 10BaseT and 100BaseT connections.
EtherPath Functions
The EtherPath can be used in several modes – simple
Client/Server
or
Server
, as illustrated below, point-to-
multiple-point (
EtherModem
)
Client/Server
, and reverse telnet
Client
. These modes are described below.
Figure 1: Modes of Operation
Client/Server Mode
In this mode, two EtherPaths are used. Both are connected to serial RS-232 devices. This is termed a
“Nailed-Up” connection.
The "Client" EtherPath will automatically establish a connection to the "Server" EtherPath upon power-
up.
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