Data sheet:

Windows COM Port Redirector for W&T Com-Servers

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• UP to 255 COM ports per computer
• Supports virtual systems under VMWWare, HyperV, VirtualBox etc.
• Automatic setting of transmission parameters on the Com-Server
• Supported Windows environments:
  • XP/2003/Vista/7/2008/8 incl. 64-bit- and Server Editions
  • NT4.0, 2000
  • Win 9x/ME
• Automatic inventorying of Com-Servers
• Supports dynamic IP addresses in the Internet
  • Full TCP communication
  • DNS name resolution
    

Whether it’s measuring, automation or building technology, the number of serial communicating devices with their associated control tools is enormous. One drawback to connecting these devices to the PC is the relatively short permissible distances and the cumbersome cable installation. Add to this the fact that hardly any modern PCs are still equipped with COM ports and that virtualizations using VMWare, HyperV and VirtualBox are becoming increasingly popular. The W&T COM Port Redirector provides an elegant workaround to this dilemma. In Windows it provides up to 255 virtual COM ports whose devices are distributed in the TCP/IP network - even worldwide if needed. Now serial software which has often proven itself over many years can be made network-capable without chaning a single line of code. One positive side-effect of this solution is galvanic isolation between the computer and the respective terminal device.

The COM Port Redirector is available in three versions for Windows 95/98/ME, Windows NT/2000 as well as all newer Windows versions from XP and higher. It can be installed in just a few steps and without restarting the computer: Install driver, link virtual COM to the IP address or URL, and connect the serial device with the Com-Server to the network … that’s it! The application opens as usual, for example, the COM3 port, which however is now no longer local on the computer, but rather is located somewhere in the network.

System requirements/versions

	COM Port Redirector Plug & Play	COM Port Redirector Legacy	COM Port Redirector Win 95/98/ME
	... for all Com-Server and current Windows versions	... for Com-Servers under Windows NT/2000, LAN modems and Soft Links	... for Com-Servers under Windows 95/98
	MSI - approx. 4.3MB Revision list	MSI - approx. 1.4MB Revision list	ZIP - approx. 1.4MB Revision list
Win XP, 2003, Vista, 7,2008, 8 incl. 64-bit and Server editions	YES	YES (as legacy ports)	--
Windows Plug’nPlay- support	YES	--	--
Support for W&T LAN modems and W&T Soft-Links	--	YES	--
Windows NT/2000	--	YES	--
Windows 95/98/ME	--	--	YES

When sending serial protocols, such as Modbus, ensure that their timing permits network operation with the mandatory latency times.

Go to practical example "Controlling a solar telescope"

Companion-Tool for variable assignment of the COM ports

Although up to 255 COM ports are supported on Windows systems, many programs are static in operation and provide the user, regardless of the number of COM ports actually existing in the system, with only 9 or even 4 COM ports. By using the Companion Tool you can still connect a virtually unlimited number of terminal devices to such programs. Before starting the application simply drag ’n drop the IP address of the Com-Server to the desired COM port. That’s it!

Companion is included in the standard installation of the W&T COM Port Redirector.

Virtual modem ports

Comparable to Voice-over IP, W&T LAN modems are used wherever charged dial-up connections need to be replaced by the often already existing network infrastructure. Instead of the old modems, LAN modems are installed and then the dial-up number replaced by the destination IP address in the AT dial-up command... that’s it! If the software side is a Windows application, you can eliminate the hardware LAN modem and instead use a virtual modem-modem port on the COM Port Redirector.

Soft-Link between 2 computers

Imagine you have 2 Windows applications that can only exchange their data serially, but the computers have no free COM port available. The Soft-Link function allows you to make virtual serial connections over the Intra- or Internet, without any hardware. Interested ?

Additional links:

Product overview

Applications

Print version