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Quatech SDS User’s Manual Introduction
Introduction
Quatech’s line of Serial Device Servers (SDS) is designed to network-
enable any device currently using RS-232 or RS-422/485 serial
communications protocols. Our Device Servers provide industry-
leading hardware and user-friendly software to make connecting your
serial devices to an Ethernet network a surprisingly simple process.
There are many reasons to network your serial devices using a
Quatech Device Server, such as:
¾ Remote support – support personnel can diagnose and repair
many problems by communicating with your serial devices via the
Internet or Intranet.
Note: For on-line technical
support, see Quatech’s Web site.
¾ Remote management – install new firmware or software upgrades
on your serial devices without physically removing them from
service.
¾ Efficient communications – instead of having one device
communicating with one computer, your device can communicate
with any computer on the network.
¾ Wireless freedom – Wi-Fi-enabled Device Servers provide serial-
to-wireless connectivity to your network.
¾ Lower cost of ownership – no need to upgrade serial devices to
newer, costlier versions containing built-in Ethernet interfaces –
if such an upgrade is even available!
¾ Extended service life of software – your existing software can be
used to communicate with the serial device as if connected to a
local COM port; the network connection is “invisible” to the
application.
After following the simple steps included in the Quick Start Guide to
attach your network and serial devices to the appropriate connectors
on the Serial Device Server, you’ll need just a few more minutes to
install the driver. You’ll then be able to communicate with the serial
device via its own application software and with the SDS using a Web
browser!
To network-enable a serial device, plug it into the serial port located
on the Device Server. Plug in the network Ethernet cable and power
source, and load the Quatech device drivers onto a host PC anywhere
on the network, using the instructions provided. The Quatech device
drivers will install the SDS’ serial ports as if they were additional
local COM ports in Windows. Simply change the settings in the serial
device’s application software to look for the serial device on the new
COM port. It’s that easy!
A typical scenario:
You have a serial device
that is operated by a PC.
The application software on
the PC “talks” to the serial
device using COM port 3.
Unfortunately, anyone who
wants to communicate with
that device must come to the
local PC. This can be very
time consuming if the serial
device is located in a remote
area, and expensive if you
need a PC for every serial
device.
A
Device Server eliminates
the need for a local PC and
allows anyone with the
proper application software,
the Quatech Device Server
drivers, and authorized
access to the network, to
communicate with the serial
device.
July 2005 940-0183-153 Page 1