Using a Terminal Server Serial- to-Ethernet converter and products like the TOP Server and OmniServer is an easy, low cost way to add your serial devices to your Ethernet network.  

The TOP Server and OmniServer both have built-in Ethernet Encapsulation (learn more about Ethernet Encapsulation) which makes connecting to serial/Ethernet converter hardware more effective because you don’t need to use the communications port redirection software that comes with the Terminal Server or any protocol conversion device.  The benefit of not using port redirector software is reduced configuration time, increased reliability, and a single point of software support.

This gives you the ability to use any of the Terminal Servers on the market that support a simple pass-through connection method including these common brands; Comtrol, Moxa, Digi, Black Box, N-tron, and Lantronix just to name a few of the many on the market.

How does it work?

1. The TOP Server Serial drivers and the OmniServer encapsulate serial messages in a standard TCP wrapper and send them out of the PC’s Ethernet interface.
    
2. The Terminal Server or Serial/Ethernet converter receives the messages and strips this TCP wrapper and forwards the Serial message to the device by way of the RS-232/422/485 port on the converter device.
    
3.  When the device responds, the Terminal Server places a TCP wrapper around the serial message and forwards it back to the PC Ethernet interface where it is then received by the TOP Server or OmniServer. 
    
4. TOP Server or OmniServer strips the TCP wrapper from the message and processes the message normally, making the required information available for your other software systems. 

When you use the TOP Server Serial drivers with Ethernet Encapsulation or the OmniServer, you DO NOT want to use any protocol conversion.  You should use straight Ethernet-to-Serial conversion only.  The conversion firmware in the Terminal Servers can vary greatly and can require firmware upgrades to resolve issues. 

The OmniServer and TOP Server let you avoid these complications and give  you the ability to use a wider range of Terminal Server hardware.

Free Trial Versions of TOP Server and OmniServer are Available Here TOP Server 2 hour demo with 100+ drivers OmniServer Trial Version

Setup Steps

1. Before you begin setting up the Terminal Server, we recommend making a direct Serial connection with the TOP Server or OmniServer before moving to Ethernet.  This will ensure that the TOP Server or OmniServer are correctly configured to talk to the device. 
    
2. Once communications are verified through the serial port all you need to do in the TOP Server is enable Ethernet Encapsulation and set the IP and port numbers.  The OmniServer only requires that you configure a Winsock device for the IP and port numbers of the Terminal Server and use this with the Topic configuration instead of the Comm. Port device.
    
3. The next step to making an Ethernet connection to the device is to provide a power supply for the Terminal Server.  Refer to the documentation for your particular unit for the requirement.
    
4. Now you can to connect your Terminal Server Ethernet-to-Serial converter to the serial port on the hardware you want to connect to and the Ethernet card on your PC. 
    
• Cabling is very important on the serial connection side.  Sometimes you can use the cable used in step 1 depending on the type of port found on the Terminal Server device. 
   
• Each Terminal Server has its own specific instructions on how to configure the communications parameters. 
   
• It’s key that the Serial configuration matches the hardware settings for the serial port on the device you are trying to connect to. 
   
• Most have a web interface for setting up the configuration or instructions on how to make the initial connection to the device and set up the Serial connection and the Ethernet IP Address and Port. 
   
• Also, make note of the IP address and port settings for the Terminal Server as these will be needed when configuring the TOP Server, OmniServer or other software you are using to collect data from the hardware device. 
   
• It is a good idea to make sure you save the Terminal Server configuration and reboot the Terminal Server and verify the settings you have just made are retained after the reboot.
   
5. You can now enable and configure Ethernet encapsulation for the TOP Server Serial driver for the device you’re connected to. 
    
• Click for more information on how to configure the TOP Server for Ethernet Encapsulation.
   
• Click to learn how to test your connection using the OPC Quick Client that comes with TOP Server.
   
6. If you are using OmniServer to connect to the device
    
• All that’s required is to create a new Winsock device in the OmniServer configuration using the IP Address and Port Number of the configured Terminal Server.  Then, that Winsock device is selected in the Topic.  Nothing further is necessary for Ethernet encapsulated communications from OmniServer.
   
• For testing purposes, there is a sample OPC Test Client that is included in the OmniServer installation.  This sample client can be launched by going to Start -> Programs -> Software Toolbox -> OmniServer -> OPC Test Client. 
   
• The instructions below will get you started with OmniServer
  
  1)  The OPC ProgramID for OmniServer is “SWToolbox.OmniServer” which will be selected from the “OPC Servers” drop-down list.  Click “Connect”
  
  2)  Next, add an OPC Group by clicking the “Add Group” button.
  
  3)  Click the “Browse” button to view the available Topics and OPC Tags available in OmniServer.
  
  4)  Highlight each tag or tags that you are interested in and right-click on the selection.  Select “Add Item to Group”.
  
  5)  To subscribe to the tag or tags, check the “Subscribed” box.
  
  6)  To perform a single read, click the “Sync Read” button.
  
  7)  If a tag has Read/Write access, you can select it from the “OPC Items” drop-down list, then click the “Write” button at the bottom of the interface and enter the desired value, then click “Apply”.

Have Questions?  You may contact our support team on +1 704 849 2773 or send them your questions online.  We’re here to help so do ask your questions!  The only bad question is the one that is not asked!