Serial/Ethernet convertor runs 10 TCP connections

The EtherPAD Duo is a serial device server, offering two software selectable RS232/422/485 serial ports and a 10/100 autosensing or manually selectable Ethernet port.

The EtherPAD Duo is a serial device server, offering two software selectable RS232/422/485 serial ports and a 10/100 autosensing or manually selectable Ethernet port.

The EtherPAD Duo is SAN People's latest offering based on a NetSilicon Arm fast ARM-based processor, and offers a number of different mounting options.

The Duo is sold as a stand-alone unit suitable for desktop use, or can be specified with a DIN rail kit, a 19in rack mount kit and a 220-12V or 110-12V power supply.

To accommodate the different mounting options, the Duo has both a screw type terminal for powering the unit from the front (ideal for automation panels), or a notebook type power socket at the rear for the standard SAN power supply.

The Duo will accept voltages of 10-30V DC or 10-20V AC.

Keeping in line with the EtherPAD range range of products, the Duo features web-based page configuration, and the powerful selection of optional features: data logging, Modbus protocol and bridging, scripting, Modbus scripting, PPP, and routing.

Designers familiar with the SANScript programming language, will be pleased to know that the Duo executes scripts approximately up to five times faster than the EtherPAD baseline.

The Duo can support up to 10 simultaneous TCP Connections.

This means that if a serial device is sending data to one of the Duo's serial ports, the Duo can retransmit the data to 10 remote PC simultaneously.

The Duo has 4 or 8Mbyte of Flash that can be used for data logging.

In addition to sending a serial stream over an Ethernet network, the Duo can simultaneously capture all data that passed through a serial port.

The logging option allows users to create a file that can be closed on a size or timed basis, and e-mailed to a system supervisor or sent by FTP.

The EtherPAD Duo is an extremely versatile device.

Aside from simply connecting a serial device to Ethernet, there are a number of other useful applications for the product.

For example, it can be used for extending an RS485 network over a local or wide area network.

Usually in RS485 networks there is an application on a PC or embedded processor that polls the devices for information.

Using a company WAN, and a number of Duos connected in "tunnel" mode, it is possible to connect a number of separate RS485 networks located in different locations to one PC over the WAN.

SAN Script is a text based programming language which allows the execution of custom programs on the Duo.

SAN Script gives users control and access to both serial ports, the Ethernet port, the Flash memory, the embedded web server, and some of the embedded applications.

Using a script users can: read/write data on the serial ports; read/write data using TCP/UDP on the Ethernet port; manipulate data and implement proprietary protocols; write and read data to and from the Flash memory; send data as an e-mail, or using FTP to a remote server; use the web server to display messages and data; create a custom SNMP MIB; send SNMP traps; and change the settings of the Duo.

Using scripting users can create a completely functional web page interface for a serial device.

SAN People will soon be releasing a digital I/O board, as a hardware optional extra for the Duo.

The digital I/O board will include four digital inputs, two digital outputs, and one analogue input (4-20mA).

This is intended to provide an easy way to communicate machinery and equipment status over a network.

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