|
Multi-Access Mode Introduction (Shared COM port Mode) |
|
|
|
Most serial devices
are connected directly to the PC serial port via cable. The OS, such
as Windows XP, provides the COM ports that the application can access,
and control the serial device through the serial cable. This means
that the serial device can be connected to one host and only one application
on this host can handle input, output and control operation. |
|
 |
|
To run more than one
application using a serial device, users can employ the EKI-1000 series
of Serial Device Servers, which provide a virtual COM port for a host
or multi-host on an Ethernet network. EKI-1000 Serial Device Servers are
located between host and the serial device. |
|
 |
Max. 5 host connection for each serial port |
|
Each serial port
on the EKI-1000 Serial Device Servers can allow max. of five host
connections through one or two Ethernet ports. |
 |
Broadcast & polling operation modes |
|
EKI-1000 Serial Device
Servers have two kinds of operation modes for multi-access.
First is broadcast mode; EKI-1000 Serial Device Servers handle a
command from one application and reply to the data from the
serial port to all applications connected to this serial port.
Another is polling mode; EKI-1000 Serial Device Servers handle the
command from one application and reply to this application only.
Query from other applications must be queued and wait for current
process completion. |
|
 |
 |
|
Multi-Access (Com port Shared) – Broadcast Operation
Mode |
|
 |
 |
|
|
Multi-Access (Com port Shared) – Polling Operation Mode |
|
 |
|
|
By using Serial Device Servers to share serial devices, users can eliminate separate serial lines and serial devices attached to individual hosts. Collecting the data from these serial devices is easier and more effective. |
|