Serial pass-through on an industrial device server

Edited by the Processingtalk editorial team Apr 19, 2004

Miller Brewing are using a unique feature for simultaneous Ethernet and local serial connections to an IA device from Digi International, enabling PLC connection without interrupting Ethernet links

Miller Brewing are using a unique feature for simultaneous Ethernet and local serial connections to an IA device.

Digi International, the leader in Connectware, today announced the addition of the serial pass-through port feature to its Digi One IAP device server.

The Digi One IAP is the only device server available with flexible pass-through port functionality.

The pass-through port is an additional COM port that enables users to connect serial devices locally to a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) without interrupting the existing PLC-to-Ethernet connection.

A PLC is an industrial computer that contains hardware and software used to perform control functions in an automation environment.

"PLCs need to be networked," said Steve Ericson, director of product management, Digi International.

"When using a device server to connect a PLC to a network, it loses the use of its serial port.

We changed that.

For example, customers can now locally communicate with and configure a PLC via laptop COM Port without disconnecting the PLC from the network".

The Digi pass-through port provides an additional local serial connection to the PLC for industrial serial devices like HMI panels - display terminals that provide a visual interface to factory floor devices.

Now HMI panels can communicate to a PLC as a local serial master while the PLC is simultaneously communicating via the Digi One IAP with a network master.

"The additional connectivity provided by the Digi One IAP with pass-through port increased efficiencies throughout the automation process," said Larry Trunek, corporate principal electrical engineer, Miller Brewing Company.

"Digi's willingness to work with us as a partner made implementation easy.

Digi provided more than just a technical solution.

They provided the necessary documentation and outstanding training which enabled us to quickly and easily begin using the product".

The Digi One IAP device server allows any industrial device with a serial port to be connected to the Ethernet.

It is ideal for industrial applications requiring COM ports, serial tunnelling, or where TCP Socket, UDP Socket or UDP Multicast functionality is necessary for critical device management and monitoring.