Serial to ethernet converter

Forums › LAN (ethernet/Wifi/routers/Bluetooth) › Serial to ethernet converter

DarrenJ

72 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 1

Topic # 157501 3-Dec-2014 08:51

Hi. Has anyone got a recommendation on a serial-to-ethernet converter? Maybe from experience?
I'm googling but it's hard to know good from bad. Cost isn't really a big issue, more quality/reliability - especially with drivers.

(I'm planning to connect it to a Wavecom GSM modem for txt messaging)

Any pointers really appreciated!
Cheers
DJ

qyiet

454 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 95

Trusted

Reply # 1187653 3-Dec-2014 09:04

Can you describe what you are attempting to do, and what the final working picture would look like? I suspect there may be additional parts required.

Warning: reality may differ from above post

DarrenJ

72 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 1

Reply # 1187655 3-Dec-2014 09:10

qyiet: Can you describe what you are attempting to do, and what the final working picture would look like? I suspect there may be additional parts required.

Pretty much I'm trying to get a GSM modem attached to a server. However the server is virtualised.. in a cluster, so physically attaching not really practical/possible.

So I figured a Wavecom GSM modem + serial to IP converter would work, as it should show up as a internal device to the VM (assuming good drivers).

Then any software installed on the VM will be able to talk to the modem as if it was a serial device.

lxsw20

2207 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 678

Subscriber

Reply # 1187662 3-Dec-2014 09:19

http://www.impc.co.nz/products/dv_aq3674.html

I have one of these at work. You will need to find an old AC Adapter you can strip the end off and use for power, it was something like 12V @ 500ma, so not too hard to find. It creates a virtual com port on the PC. Seems to work fine for a remote serial connection to Cisco networking gear..

DarrenJ

72 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 1

Reply # 1187669 3-Dec-2014 09:30

lxsw20: http://www.impc.co.nz/products/dv_aq3674.html

I have one of these at work. You will need to find an old AC Adapter you can strip the end off and use for power, it was something like 12V @ 500ma, so not too hard to find. It creates a virtual com port on the PC. Seems to work fine for a remote serial connection to Cisco networking gear..

That would be perfect, however I'm trying to find something thats ready to go out of the box (I can see raised eyebrows here when I suggest hacking up an old AC adaptor) :)
But I'll keep that device in mind if I can't find anything else :)

Cheers
DJ

wasabi2k

2091 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 849

Reply # 1187681 3-Dec-2014 09:42

I have used MOXA and Digi products at work.

Digis are rock solid - we run mission critical, revenue generating functions off them - they just go. Have a backup with config loaded in case of hardware failure.

They have windows software you can install to provide virtualised COM ports - so they appear as COMxx to your apps. Otherwise they support sockets and telnet. Each port is configurable if you get a multi port unit.

I have used:
http://www.digi.com/products/serialservers/connectport-ts-8-16 - for big deployments as well as the single port units - the older version of this: http://www.digi.com/products/serialservers/portservertspmei

Have also used them in large scale SCADA applications for a local utility.

They aren't cheap but work really well.

DarrenJ

72 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 1

Reply # 1187689 3-Dec-2014 09:48

wasabi2k: I have used MOXA and Digi products at work.

Digis are rock solid - we run mission critical, revenue generating functions off them - they just go. Have a backup with config loaded in case of hardware failure.

They have windows software you can install to provide virtualised COM ports - so they appear as COMxx to your apps. Otherwise they support sockets and telnet. Each port is configurable if you get a multi port unit.

I have used:
http://www.digi.com/products/serialservers/connectport-ts-8-16 - for big deployments as well as the single port units - the older version of this: http://www.digi.com/products/serialservers/portservertspmei

Have also used them in large scale SCADA applications for a local utility.

They aren't cheap but work really well.

Awesome - that is exactly what I'm looking for. The Digi sounds like the way to go.
I had a look at their website. I think I've found the single port version that will suit
http://www.digi.com/products/serialservers/portserverts

Just need to find a supplier now :)

Cheers!

wasabi2k

2091 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 849

Reply # 1187745 3-Dec-2014 10:33

DarrenJ:
wasabi2k: I have used MOXA and Digi products at work.

Digis are rock solid - we run mission critical, revenue generating functions off them - they just go. Have a backup with config loaded in case of hardware failure.

They have windows software you can install to provide virtualised COM ports - so they appear as COMxx to your apps. Otherwise they support sockets and telnet. Each port is configurable if you get a multi port unit.

I have used:
http://www.digi.com/products/serialservers/connectport-ts-8-16 - for big deployments as well as the single port units - the older version of this: http://www.digi.com/products/serialservers/portservertspmei

Have also used them in large scale SCADA applications for a local utility.

They aren't cheap but work really well.

Awesome - that is exactly what I'm looking for. The Digi sounds like the way to go.
I had a look at their website. I think I've found the single port version that will suit
http://www.digi.com/products/serialservers/portserverts

Just need to find a supplier now :)

Cheers!

Pretty sure we bought ours through Datacom.

jnimmo

What does this tag do
983 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 205

Subscriber

Reply # 1187763 3-Dec-2014 10:42

I've got a Smushbox sitting here which I've never got around to setting up if you're interested in a one box device (i.e, SMS gateway with a ethernet connection)
Must have cost me about $330 but would consider any offer

DarrenJ

72 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 1

Reply # 1187831 3-Dec-2014 11:26

jnimmo: I've got a Smushbox sitting here which I've never got around to setting up if you're interested in a one box device (i.e, SMS gateway with a ethernet connection)
Must have cost me about $330 but would consider any offer

Thanks. If it was me personally I would be keen. But need to purchase through a business for support etc red tape :(

Cheers
DJ