Serial Device Servers

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
ES-457 Brainboxes	2 PORT RS232 POE ETHERNET TO SER	0
ED-516 Brainboxes	ETHERNET TO 16 DIGITAL INPUTS +	4
ED-538 Brainboxes	ETHERNET TO 4 RELAYS AND 8 DIGIT	34
ED-527 Brainboxes	ETHERNET TO 16 DIGITAL OUTPUTS +	40
ED-008 Brainboxes	ETHERNET TO 8 DIGITAL IO LINES	16
ES-522 Brainboxes	INDUSTRIAL ETHERNET TO SERIAL 2X	34
ES-257 Brainboxes	2 PORT RS232 ETHERNET TO SERIAL	4
ES-701 Brainboxes	4 PORT RS232 ETHERNET TO SERIAL	0
ES-246 Brainboxes	1 PORT RS232 ETHERNET TO SERIAL	0
ED-549 Brainboxes	ETHERNET TO 8 ANALOGUE INPUTS +	6
ES-313 Brainboxes	2 PORT RS422/485 ETHERNET TO SER	0
ES-346 Brainboxes	4 PORT RS422/485 ETHERNET TO SER	0
ES-571 Brainboxes	ISOLATED INDUSTRIAL ETHERNET TO	0
ES-842 Brainboxes	8 PORT RS422/485 ETHERNET TO SER	0
ES-551 Brainboxes	ISOLATED INDUSTRIAL ETHERNET TO	0
ED-204 Brainboxes	ETHERNET TO 4 DIGITAL IO AND RS2	25
ES-413 Brainboxes	2 PORT RS422/485 POE ETHERNET TO	0
ED-004 Brainboxes	ETHERNET TO 4 DIGITAL IO AND RS2	0
ED-504 Brainboxes	ETHERNET TO 4 DIGITAL IO & RS232	0
ES-357 Brainboxes	1 PORT RS232 AND 1 PORT RS422/48	0

Serial Device Servers

1. Overview

Serial Device Servers (SDS) are networking hardware solutions that bridge serial communication interfaces (RS-232/422/485) with Ethernet/IP networks. These devices enable legacy serial equipment to integrate seamlessly with modern TCP/IP-based systems, supporting remote monitoring, configuration, and data exchange. Their importance lies in industrial automation, IoT deployments, and legacy system modernization, where they eliminate distance limitations of serial connections while ensuring protocol compatibility.

2. Main Types and Functional Classification

Type	Functional Features	Application Examples
Embedded Serial-to-Ethernet Converters	Compact form factor, DIN-rail mounting, protocol conversion (Modbus/TCP to RTU), built-in web server	Factory automation systems
Wireless Serial Device Servers	Wi-Fi/BLE connectivity, mobile network support, antenna interfaces	Remote sensor networks
Multi-Port Serial Concentrators	8-32 serial ports, VLAN support, terminal emulation	Data center equipment management
Industrial-Grade SDS	Wide temperature range (-40 C to 75 C), shock/vibration resistance, galvanic isolation	Outdoor infrastructure monitoring

3. Structural Composition

Typical hardware components:

Enclosure: Industrial-grade ABS plastic or metal housing with IP30 protection
Serial Interfaces: DB9/RJ45 connectors with ESD protection ( 15kV air discharge)
Network Interface: 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet port with Auto MDI/MDI-X
Processing Unit: ARM Cortex-M7 or similar processor (200-500 MHz)
Memory: 64-256 MB Flash + 128-512 MB RAM
Power Supply: 12-48V DC terminal block or PoE (802.3af)

4. Key Technical Specifications

Parameter	Value Range	Importance
Serial Port Count	1-32 ports	Determines device scalability
Protocol Support	TCP/IP, UDP, SNMP, HTTP/HTTPS, Modbus Gateway	Ensures system interoperability
Transmission Rate	100 bps-230 kbps	Affects data throughput
Operating Temperature	-40 C to +75 C	Environmental adaptability
MTBF	>100,000 hours	System reliability indicator

5. Application Domains

Major industries include:

Industrial Automation: PLC/SCADA integration, robotics control
Healthcare: Medical imaging equipment telemetry
Transportation: Traffic light controllers, vehicle diagnostics
Energy: Smart grid monitoring, solar inverter management

Real-world case: A German automotive plant used Moxa NPort 5110 devices to network 120 legacy welding robots, achieving 30% maintenance cost reduction.

6. Leading Manufacturers and Products

Vendor	Product Line	Key Features
Digi International	ConnectCore X4	IPv6 support, AES-256 encryption
Siemens	SCALANCE M875	PROFINET integration, redundant power
Moxa	NPort 6650	5-port Gigabit Ethernet, -40 C operation
Advantech	EKI-1362	3G cellular backup, COM port sharing

7. Selection Guidelines

Consideration factors:

Port density vs physical space constraints
Environmental requirements (temperature, humidity)
Protocol compatibility with existing systems
Security features (firewall, VLAN segregation)
Future expansion capabilities (PoE++, fiber options)
Total cost of ownership (warranty period, support SLAs)

8. Industry Trends

Emerging developments:

Integration with IIoT platforms via MQTT/OPC UA protocols
Edge computing capabilities for local data preprocessing
Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) support for deterministic communication
Increased adoption of wireless (5G/NB-IoT) variants for mobile applications
AI-driven predictive maintenance capabilities