Serial Device Servers

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
IMG-2200T Business Systems Connection Inc.	IP30 INDUSTRIAL 2-PORT RS232/RS4	8
ICS-2105A Business Systems Connection Inc.	IP30 INDUSTRIAL RS232/RS-422/RS4	12
ICS-2400T Business Systems Connection Inc.	IP40 INDUSTRIAL 4-PORT RS232/RS4	88
IMG-120T Business Systems Connection Inc.	INDUSTRIAL 2-PORT RS422/485 SERI	80
IMG-2400T Business Systems Connection Inc.	IP40 INDUSTRIAL 4-PORT RS232/RS4	5
MG-115A Business Systems Connection Inc.	1-PORT RS232/422/485 MODBUS GATE	55
MG-120 Business Systems Connection Inc.	2-PORT RS232/422/485 MODBUS GATE	30
ICS-2200T Business Systems Connection Inc.	IP30 INDUSTRIAL 2-PORT RS232/RS4	50
ICS-2105AT Business Systems Connection Inc.	IP30 INDUSTRIAL 1-PORT RS232/RS4	99
ICS-2100T Business Systems Connection Inc.	IP30 INDUSTRIAL 1-PORT RS232/RS4	55

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