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724-746-5500 | blackbox.com
724-746-5500 | blackbox.com
Page 13
Chapter 2: Overview
2. Overview
2.1 Introduction
1-, 2-, and 4-Port Port Industrial Ethernet Serial Servers enable connection of RS-232, RS-422, or RS-485 devices to an Ethernet
network. You can access the serial ports over a LAN/WAN using Direct IP Mode, Virtual COM Port, or Paired Mode connections.
The 10-/100-Mbps Ethernet connection auto-selects 10BASE-T or 100BASE-TX and indicates the type of connection with a
bi-color link light. These serial servers are built for use in industrial environments, featuring an IP30-approved, slim-line,
DIN-rail-mountable case. They operate from a range of AC or DC power supply voltages, support redundant DC power, and
feature terminal block power connectors.
Industrial and commercial measurement and control systems often have standalone devices with unused serial ports. Black Box
®
Serial Servers allow you to connect those ports into your existing LAN or WAN, giving you access to more information and the
ability to configure, manage, and troubleshoot those devices from a control room, office, or even a distant location via a WAN.
Save the cost, time and trouble of carrying a laptop out to devices located in distant, cold, dirty, or uncomfortable environments.
Connect your serial device to the serial port and connect the server to your LAN. Your networked computer “sees” the device
over the network as a virtual serial connection. Black Box serial servers support TCP or UDP protocols and allow transmitting to
and receiving from multiple IP addresses. There are four methods of configuring serial servers: via Management Software, Web
Server, Telnet, or via a direct RS-232 console connection using a terminal program.
2.1.1 Applications
• Access remote devices with serial ports via your network.
• Manage, configure, and program devices remotely via a Web server.
• Use for industrial devices such as PLCs, drives, motor controls, process analyzers.
• Building/commercial/security—parking control, security, cameras.
• Traffic management—lights, systems, cameras.
• Retail/point of sale—cash registers, scanners, scales.
2.1.2 Manager Software
The Manager software allows easy access to the serial server to configure the server and its ports, upgrade server firmware, and
monitor port status and activity. When the Manager opens, it will search for and display all serial servers on the network.
2.1.3 Monitor Port
The Monitor Port feature allows you to use any PC on the LAN/WAN to actively view and troubleshoot the communications sta-
tus. It shows when there is a client connection to the server and the client IP address. It displays the number of bytes transmitted
and received as well as the status of the hardware handshaking lines.
2.1.4 Web Server
Black Box serial servers can be accessed and configured from any Web browser (such as Internet Explorer) on the LAN/WAN. This
allows you to remotely manage the software and your serial device. It also allows off-site troubleshooting.
2.1.5 Heartbeat Connection Protection
LES400A series Serial Servers provide automatic resumption of the TCP data connection in case of a power failure or loss of an
Ethernet connection on either the client or server. Once the Heartbeat connection is established, the server sends a signal to the
client every five seconds until communication is re-established. Without this feature, a device that loses a connection and stops
communicating would not be able to reconnect without a person attending to the problem. The Heartbeat feature works with
virtual COM and TCP direct IP connections.