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XPress DR+ User Guide 12
Chapter 2: Introduction
This chapter provides basic information about the wired and wireless versions of the
XPress DR+. The wireless version has two modes of operation: wireless and wired. In
wired mode, the wireless functionality is not used, and the unit behaves identically to the
wired XPress DR+. In wireless mode, the unit's behavior is wireless to serial, and the
Ethernet ports are not functional.
Unless otherwise noted, information in this User Guide applies to both versions of the
product. Information specific to the wireless version of the XPress DR+ unit is in
Chapter 4: XPress DR+W.
Note: In this User Guide we sometimes refer to the XPress DR+W as "the wireless unit"
or the "wireless device server."
Product Description
The Lantronix XPress DR+ Industrial Device Server is a robust, feature-rich, and cost
effective way to network-enable equipment in an industrial automation environment. The
XPress DR+ provides two serial ports, two switched Ethernet ports, a wide power input
range, and expanded environmental specifications, making it an ideal solution
for connecting multiple asynchronous RS232, RS422, or RS485 serial devices to an
Ethernet network.
The internal two-port Ethernet switch allows the XPress DR+ to cascade connections
from a single network drop to another Ethernet device or from one XPress DR+ to
another and another, and so on. By leveraging a single network drop to connect multiple
devices, the XPress DR+ greatly reduces device connectivity costs, reduces cabling cost
and simplifies system changes and device moves.
By encapsulating serial data and transporting it over Ethernet, the XPress DR+ allows
virtual serial links over Ethernet and IP (TCP/IP, UDP/IP) networks. As a result, you can
extend limited distance, point-to-point, direct serial connections within the plant,
throughout the facility, or across the global enterprise.
The XPress DR+ provides an impressive list of features and functions enabling multiple
industrial devices to be connected, controlled, configured, managed, and updated over a
network. With two serial ports and two auto-sensing Ethernet ports, the XPress DR+ can
easily connect multiple serial devices to a network and cascade from one XPress DR+ to
another from a single network drop.
Types of supported devices:
Programmable controllers (PLCs)
Process controllers
Motor drive controllers
Power monitoring equipment