NPort 5600-8-DT/DTL Series Introduction to Operation Modes
Overview
The NPort 5600-8-DT/DTL connects RS-232/422/485 devices to an Ethernet network. In a typical application,
a traditional SCADA and data collection system relies on serial devices to collect data from various kinds of
instruments. With the NPort device server, the SCADA and data collection system can access instrument data
over a standard TCP/IP network, whether the devices are used locally or at a remote site.
Each device port on the NPort 5600-8-DT/DTL is configured independently of the other device ports, with its
own serial communication parameters and operation mode. A device port’s operation mode determines how it
interacts with the network, and different modes are available to encompass a wide variety of applications and
devices.
Real COM and RFC2217 modes allow serial-based software to access the device port as if it were a local serial
port on a PC. These modes are appropriate when your application relies on Windows or Linux software that was
originally designed for locally attached COM or TTY devices. With these modes, you can access your devices
from the network using your existing COM/TTY-based software, without investing in additional software.
Three different socket modes are available for user-developed socket programs: TCP Server, TCP Client, and
UDP Server/Client. For TCP applications, the appropriate mode depends on whether the connection will be
hosted or initiated from the device port or from the network. 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 multicasting of data to groups of IP addresses and would be suitable for streaming media or non-critical
messaging applications such as LED message boards.
Pair Connection Slave and Master modes are designed for serial-to-serial communication over Ethernet, in
order to overcome traditional limitations with serial transmission distance.
Reverse Telnet mode is designed for connections to servers that will host terminal sessions through the
device port. This mode is typically used for console management applications, but can also be used to upgrade
legacy servers to network operation.
Real COM Mode
Real COM mode is designed to work with NPort drivers that are installed
on a network host. COM drivers are provided for Windows systems, and
TTY drivers are provided for Linux systems. The driver establishes a
transparent connection to the attached serial device by mapping a local
serial port to the device port’s IP:Port. Real COM mode supports up to
four simultaneous connections, so multiple
hosts can collect data from
the attached device at the same time.
ATTENTION
Real COM drivers are installed automatically with NPort Administrator.
Real COM mode allows you to continue using your serial communications software to access devices that are
now attached to your NPort device server. On the host, the NPort Real COM driver automatically intercepts data
sent to the COM port, packs it into a TCP/IP packet, and redirects it to the network. At the other end of the
connection, the NPort device server accepts the Ethernet frame, unpacks the TCP/IP packet, and sends the
serial data to the appropriate device.
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