User`s manual

Getting Started

NPort Server Lite User’s Manual 2-3

Pair-Connection Mode

Connecting a serial device, such as the bar code reader shown below, to a PC, can certainly

be accomplished by connecting the serial device directly to one of the PC’s COM ports.

This method, however, limits the maximum distance between the PC and serial device to

approximately 15 meters.

By using two 1-port NPort Server Lites in tandem, this dis tance can be extended to half of a

kilometer. One of the servers is connected from its RS-232 port to the COM port of the PC,

the serial device is connected to the RS-232 port of the other server, and then the two NPort

Server Lites are connected with each other by an Ethernet cable.

This mode of operation provides a certain amount of flexibility. For one thing, the PC does

not need to be running Windows NT/95/98. The PC connects to NPort Server Lite’s serial

port, so all you need is an operating system that can communicate via the PC’s serial port.

In fact, you could also use any “computer” with a built in serial port, such as a PDA

(Personal Digital Assistant), to connect to a serial device kept at a remote location.

Figure 2-2. NPort Server Lite—Pair-Connection Mode

PC running any OS

TCP/IP over Ethernet (500 Meters)

NPort Server Lite

RS-232

Bar Code Reader

RS-232