Installation guide

5-4
Choosing the Proper Operation Mode
In this section, we describe the
various NPort operation modes.
The options include an operation
mode that uses a driver installed
on the host computer, operation
modes that rely on TCP/IP socket
programming concepts, and
operation modes that typically
involve communication between pairs of appropriately configured NPorts.
Host Based / Driver Mode
Host Based / Driver Mode uses a Moxa supplied driver to establish a transparent
connection between host and serial device, by creating a virtual local COM port
on the host computer for each of the NPort’s serial ports.
NOTE The Moxa driver used for Host Based / Driver Mode is installed
automatically on your computer when you install NPort Management
Suite.
The important point is that Host Based / Driver Mode allows users to continue
using RS-232/422/485 serial communications software that was written for pure
serial communications applications. The driver intercepts data sent to the host’s
COM port, packs it into a TCP/IP packet, and then redirects it through the host’s
Ethernet card. At the other end of the connection, the NPort accepts the Ethernet
frame, unpacks the TCP/IP packet, and then transparently sends it to the
appropriate serial device attached to one of the NPort’s serial ports.
NOTE Host Based / Driver Mode allows several hosts to have access control
of the same NPort. The Moxa driver that comes with your NPort
controls host access to attached serial devices by checking the host’s
IP address.
Use Configurator to adjust the Access Control Table—you may add
host access either by port or by server.
Host Based / Driver Mode allows users to set up more advanced communications
topologies between remote hosts and serial devices connected to one or more
NPort. Using this operation mode, it is possible for several hosts to divide usage
of a multiport NPort’s ports, or share the same port belonging to one particular
NPort.