Advantages of Serial to Ethernet Technology

DCS Communication
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Advances in Serial to Ethernet Technology

  1. Secure data transfer: More traditional Serial to Ethernet device servers operated without data encryption, leaving data vulnerable. Secure Socket Layer (SSL) is now used to provide secure end to end data transfer.

  2. Port Buffering: This enables the device server to act as a serial port buffer if the network connection is lost. Buffer sizes can be increased by using SD Cards in some instances.

  3. Power over Ethernet (PoE): Device servers are now available with support for PoE (802.3af). This reduces cabling and facilitates ease of installation, saving time and money.

  4. Redundant Ring Operation: Ring redundancy has become common practice in industrial networks, increasing the availability of serial based devices. It also saves cost in not having to employ an additional Ethernet switch.

  5. Any Baud Rate: Serial to Ethernet device servers now supports any data rate up to 1Mbp, which is useful for specialist devices.

  6. Integration of digital and analogue signals to the Ethernet network to assist Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA). Distributed I/O traditionally using RS485 can now be connected to a Serial to Ethernet device server. These I/O Modules can use Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) traps, allowing information about the status of digital or analogue devices to be easily integrated into existing SNMP deployments (company infrastructure for example).

  7. Using the Cellular Network: GPRS, 3G and HSPA are protocols based on IP. The use of software drivers, together with cellular routers with serial connectivity suddenly enables virtual COM ports over the cellular network. Mobile applications such as in vehicles and transport, variable message sign and digital signage are a few examples

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