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NPort 5400 Series User’s Manual Choosing the Proper Operation Mode
4-2
Overview
NPort Device Servers network-enable traditional RS-232/422/485 devices, in which a Device
Server is a tiny computer equipped with a CPU, real-time OS, and TCP/IP protocols that can
bi-directionally translate data between the serial and Ethernet formats. Your computer can access,
manage, and configure remote facilities and equipment over the Internet from anywhere in the
world.
Traditional SCADA and data collection systems rely on serial prots (RS-232/422/485) to collect
data from various kinds of instruments. Since NPort Serial Device Servers network-enable
instruments equipped with an RS-232/422/485 communication port, your SCADA and data
collection system will be able to access all instruments connected to a standard TCP/IP network,
regardless of whether the devices are used locally or at a remote site.
NPort is an external IP-based network device that allows you to expand the number of serial ports
for a host computer on demand. As long as your host computer supports the TCP/IP protocol, you
won’t be limited by the host computer’s bus limitation (such as ISA or PCI), or lack of drivers for
various operating systems.
In addition to providing socket access, NPort also comes with a Real COM/TTY driver that
transmits all serial signals intact. This means that your existing COM/TTY-based software can be
preserved, without needing to invest in additional software.
Three different Socket Modes are available: TCP Server, TCP Client, and UDP Server/Client. The
main difference between the TCP and UDP protocols 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
Pictures in this Chapter will use NPort 5400 series as an example.
Real COM Mode
NPort comes equipped with COM drivers that work
with Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP systems, and
also TTY drivers for Linux systems. The driver
establishes a transparent connection between host
and serial device by mapping the IP:Port of the
NPort’s serial port to a local COM/TTY port on the
host computer. 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.