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NE-4100 Series User’s Manual Choosing the Proper Operation Mode
4-2
Overview
NE-4100 Series modules act as a bridge to connect your serial devices to the Ethernet. The built-in
TCP/IP stack means less time spent on programming networking protocols. With one step you may
choose the proper operation mode, then use your computer to access, manage, and configure your
serial device from anywhere in the world over the Internet.
Traditional SCADA and data collection systems rely on serial ports (RS-232/422/485) to collect
data from various kinds of instruments. Since NE-4100 Series modules convert between serial and
Ethernet signals, your SCADA and data collection system can be made accessible from every
device connected to a standard TCP/IP network, regardless of whether the devices are used locally
or at a remote site.
Three different socket modes—TCP Server, TCP Client, and UDP Server/Client—are available, as
well as a Real COM mode. The main difference between the TCP and UDP protocol 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.
ATTENTION
The figures in this chapter use the NE-4110S as an example, but they apply to all models in the
NE-4100 Series.
TCP Server Mode
In TCP Server mode, the module is assigned a unique IP
address and port number on the TCP/IP network. The
module waits passively to be contacted by the host
computer, allowing the host computer to establish a
connection with and obtain data from the serial device.
This operation mode also supports up to 4 simultaneous
connections, so that multiple hosts can collect data from
the same serial device—at the same time.
As illustrated in the figure, data transmission proceeds as
follows:
1. The host connects to the module configured for TCP
Server mode.
2. Once the connection is established, data can be
transmitted in both directions—from the host to the
module, and from the module to the host.