Ethernet/Serial Port Servers

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Thread Starter

Hullsiek, William

I am looking at alternatives for serial port servers. We called them
terminal servers when I was putting in VMS based applications in the 1980's
and early 1990's.

The machine cabinets housing the relays, PLCs, and other components are
tight, and not very deep, so I am looking into DIN rail mounted devices.
The serial port servers will connect to serial based PLC and Mitutoyo or
Heidenhain type of gages.

Lantronix currently makes a 1 port model. Comtrol makes a 2 port model.

But, I do not see a 4 or 8 port (DIN rail mounted) device ??

Was wondering if there are any other alternatives people would suggest.


P.S. In terms of serial port routers, you may want to look into the SMC
Barricade It sells for under $100, and has a 4-port 10/100 Ethernet
switch, a serial port for dial-up modem, and a parallel port for a
printer. This is oriented for the home office marketplace. 3com and other
companies resell the same box. An entrpreneur could package this up in an
industrial enclosure and probably sell for under $400.

- Bill Hullsiek
 
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Bill,
Youre right about Comtrol doing a 2 port server, but the do also do 4 and 8 port versions as well. They aren't din rail mount but are pretty small.

Moxa also do serial port servers as well. I think they do 1, 2, and 4 port versions but they may also do others. I'm not sure if you can get Moxa stuff in the US, but check them out at www.moxa.com

To be honest I wouldn't recommend the Comtrol ones. I have used the two port version and it took quite a while to get it configured properly. Comtrol tech support were not very helpful either. Although, saying that I'm in the UK and phoned the UK tech support so the US tech support might be better.

Another alternative is to try Black Box. They have a few serial port servers and their tech support is excellent. Youll find them at www.blackbox.com

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Dave Ellis
 
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Crucius, Wesley

I saw this and just had to throw in my $.02 worth. First, I don't work for Comtrol or represent them in any way. I have used the 8-port Comtrol units and had excellent luck with these. To give frame of reference, previously we had been putting multiple multi-port cards in NT box to achieve similar capabilities, so this was a dramatic improvement. The only other similar product experience I have is with the more traditional terminal server products and compared to these, the Comtrol products were a huge improvement in terms of both function and ease of use.
 
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Greg Goodman

>I am looking at alternatives for serial port servers. We called them
>terminal servers when I was putting in VMS based applications in the
>1980's and early 1990's.

[snip]

>But, I do not see a 4 or 8 port (DIN rail mounted) device ??

I am unfamiliar with any DIN-rail mounted terminal servers, but I've
used 19" rack-mounted Equinox 8-port terminal servers, and been very
happy with them.

Greg Goodman
Chiron Consulting
 
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