NPort 5100A Series Choosing the Proper Operation Mode
Overview
NPort 5100A serial device servers network-enable traditional RS-232/422/485 devices. 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 NPort 5100A 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 NPort 5100A 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 NPort 5100A 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 data to be unicast to only one IP address, or multicast to groups of
IP addresses.
Real COM Mode
The NPort 5100A comes equipped with COM drivers that work
with Windows systems, and also TTY drivers for Linux
systems. The driver establishes a transparent connection
between host and serial device by mapping the IP:Port of the
NPort 5100A’s serial port to a local COM/TTY port on the host
computer.
Real COM Mode also supports up to 4 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
is bundled with NPort Administrator. The driver is installed on your
computer automatically when you install NPort Administration Suite.
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 NPort 5100A accepts the Ethernet
frame, unpacks the TCP/IP packet, and then sends it transparently to the appropriate serial device attached to
one of the NPort 5100A’s serial ports.
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