JLCooper gBOX - Manual (Page 4)

4
Introduction
The gBOX is a general purpose interface box that converts up to
48 GPI (General Purpose Interface) inputs and outputs to
100/10baseT Ethernet or a serial interface. Up to 8 gBOXes may
be slaved off a master gBOX to convert up to a total of 432 GPI
inputs and outputs.
The gBOX communicates over standard TCP/IP which allows it be
used with any host computer running any operating system that
uses TCP/IP protocol. The gBOX can also be connected to other
gBOXes to allow longer runs than traditional GPI cables. Since
the gBOX uses TCP/IP, traffic can be routed over internal LANs,
wireless LANs, MANs, WANs and even over the public Internet.
Unit configuration is accomplished using the rear panel DIP
switches.
When the gBOX is outfitted with an Ethernet Interface (JLCooper
p/n 920394) the unit functions as either a server or client. When
configured as a server, it passively waits for client devices to
connect to it. The device can be a computer or another gBOX
configured as a client. When the gBOX is configured as a client, it
will actively attempt to connect to the server gBOX. Once this is
accomplished, the either gBOX will pass data received in the serial
or GPI ports to the remote gBOX. If there is no data received in
the gBOX, the gBOX will not send any TCP packets.