1U serial device servers

The EKI-1528 and EKI-1526 serial device servers feature 8 and 16 RS232/422/485 serial ports in a 1U rackmount chassis.

Included COM-port redirection software allows virtual access to remote serial devices, just as if they were onboard COM-ports. With this tool, integration with PC-based systems takes just a few minutes, and is transparent to host application software as well as connected equipment.

The EKI-1528 and EKI-1526 also support native TCP/IP- and UDP/IP-aware applications like OPC Servers and HMI systems that support serial encapsulation. Both client and server modes are supported, for applications where serial device-initiated or host-initiated communications are required.

Dual 10/100 Mbps ethernet connections ensure continuous communication, even in the event of a network problem. With one port assigned as primary and the other as a backup, loss of the primary connection initiates an automatic switchover to the backup.

Where one-to-many or many-to-one connections are required, Multi-Access mode allows a single RS232/422/485 serial device to send or receive data to multiple remote hosts.

Set-up is achieved via a PC or laptop and a web browser. A built-in serial port monitor helps diagnose issues with attached devices, eliminating the need for additional equipment or software. The EKI-1528 and EKI-1526 also support set-up via a dedicated serial console port, via telnet, or through a Windows-based set-up and configuration utility. Both models support SNMP.

Utilising low power components and convection cooling, there is no need for cooling fans, eliminating a common end-user worry about maintenance and downtime. The serial ports include built-in 15 kV ESD protection.