User`s manual

NPort Server Lite User’s Manual 1-1
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1 Overview
Welcome to Moxa NPort Server Lite, an Industrial Serial Device Server that greatly
enhances the ability of a Windows NT/95/98 host to control multiple serial port devices
over a TCP/IP based Ethernet network.
This chapter is an introduction to NPort Server Lite and includes the following:
q Features
q Package Checklist
q Top/Front/Rear View
NPort Server Lite provides a data communication solution for connecting Windows
NT/95/98 hosts to asynchronous RS-232 (model DE-301) or RS-422/485 (model DE-331)
serial ports through a TCP/IP network. Both models have one asynchronous serial port
connection on one end, and a 10/100M Ethernet connection on the other, allowing any
device that supports primarily the asynchronous communications protocol to attach to a
network. NPort Server Lite works like an add-on multiport serial board to the NT/95/98
server, but with one major advantage – the TCP/IP network. Since the Windows NT/95/98
host communicates with the COM ports on Nport Server Lite over a TCP/IP network, you
are able to control asynchronous serial devices from virtually anywhere in the world.
Although it connects through the virtual link of the Ethernet, the ports on NPort Server Lite
are recognized as real COM ports by the Windows NT/95/98 operating system. NPort
Server Lite provides both the basic transmit/receive data functions, as well as RTS, CTS,
DTR, DSR, and DCD control signals.
NPort Server Lite can be used with your existing applications that support serial
communication. It also comes with a utility program providing a simple step-by-step
installation procedure, and a maintenance wizard that gives you easy access to your
asynchronous devices.