Device server family

The Industrial Automation Group of Advantech Australia has introduced the EKI-1351 (1-port) and EKI-1352 (2-port) 802.11b/g device servers. The models allow RS232/422/485 serial devices to be remotely monitored, managed and controlled wirelessly.

Device servers are a drop-in solution to add network connectivity to non-networked devices and equipment. With one connection for the network and the other for attached RS232/422/485 serial devices, these servers encapsulate serial data for transport over IP networks.

Used together in pairs as an extension cable for serial devices, or specifically with a host computer or PC, they are an ideal solution to overcome the inherent distance limitations and point-to-point nature of serial devices.

For integration with COM-port-based Windows applications, included COM-port redirection software allows virtual COM-port access to remote serial devices, just as if they were onboard COM-ports.

With this tool, integration with PC-based systems takes a few minutes and it is transparent to the host application software and connected equipment.

In addition to Virtual COM-port operation, the EKI-1351 and EKI-1352 support TCP/IP and UDP/IP aware applications like OPC Servers and HMI systems that support serial encapsulation.

For simple applications, these units can be used in a peer-to-peer manner, where there’s no need for wireless infrastructure or access points. For more advanced applications, both client and server modes are supported, in support of serial device initiated or host initiated communications.