User`s manual

2-2 NPort Server Lite User’s Manual
Knowing Your Application
NPort Server Lite is an advanced Industrial Serial Device Server designed to fit into today's
ever-expanding networking world. It extends the usage of traditional COM ports on a
PCan isolated machine with restricted portsto being able to access the port over a
TCP/IP network. Through the nature of networking, you can control your serial devices
from a distance, either over a LAN, or even over the Internet.
Since NPort Server Lite is connected through a TCP/IP network, you will need to know
some basic facts about networking in order to get the server hooked up correctly. In this
section, we discuss two types of applicationHost-Based Mode and Pair-Connection
Mode. Read carefully to determine which application best suits your needs.
Host-Based Mode
Traditional serial port communication uses a COM port board that slides into one of the
slots on the back of your PC. In this case, only the computer containing the board can
access the serial port. With Moxa’s 1-port NPort Server Lite serial device server,
communicating with a COM port is much more versatile, since you are now able to access
the COM port from a distance. For example, the server could be located in Stockholm, and
the serial device in Frankfurt.
Figure 2-1. NPort Server LiteHost-Based Mode
Windows NT
NPort Server Lite
CNC
Scales
Fire Alarm
Temperature Monitor
TCP/IP over Ethernet