sLAN White_Paper_Eng_DM v1.1

sLAN/all White Paper
2
Overview
Computer becomes more efficient tool when combined with features provided by the external equipment
connected to it.
In order to connect external devices, communication protocol determined as standard is necessary, and the most
widely used method is the serial communication. Serial communication is based on Telex communication, and
nearly every computer has a serial port. However, communication speed is slow and it is not suitable for long
distance communication.
On the other hand, Ethernet enabling N:N communication in high speed is widely used for communication
method. Even though Ethernet provides convenient wiring schemes, it is more complex and expensive than serial
communication which makes it not ideal for connecting individual device.
As two methods with different purposes and characteristics coexist, Ethernet has developed to IP network
(Internet). IP network overcomes the spatial limitation that was in LAN and now supports environment where
computers all over the world can be connected on network. Computers and devices do not need to be physically
connected, and with IP address they can be logically connected over the network. In this background, the need to
connect devices with serial port to Ethernet has increased and the device that connects them over Ethernet,
Ethernet to serial convertor, has emerged.