Solvline SerialGate White Paper - Manual (Page 2)

SerialGate White Paper
2
Overview
Computer becomes more efficient tool when combined with features provided by the
external equipment connected to it.
In order to connect external devices, communication protocol determined as standard is
necessary, and the most widely used method is the serial communication. Serial
communication is based on Telex communication, and nearly every computer has a serial
port. However, communication speed is slow and it is not suitable for long distance
communication.
On the other hand, LAN enabling N:N communication in high speed is widely used for
communication method. Even though LAN provides convenient wiring schemes, it is more
complex and expensive than serial communication which makes it not ideal for connecting
individual device.
History of Device Server
As two methods with different purposes and characteristics coexist, LAN has developed to
IP network (internet). IP network overcomes the spatial limitation that was in LAN and now
supports environment where PC all over the world can be connected on network.
Computers and devices do not need to be physically connected, and with IP address they
can be logically connected over the network. In this background, the need to connect
devices with serial port to LAN has increased and the device that connects them over LAN,
device server, has emerged.