Access laboratory instruments over TCP/IP network

The core features of the software

Sharing lab instruments among multiple remote clients

Let’s assume you have some vital equipment inserted into your lab machine. As often happens, you may need to access the instrument’s functionality from another network computer. As an option, you can try to establish a point-to-point connection with the help of a single RS232 cable as long as the length of the cable allows you to do it. In case the remote computer is located too far from the target device, the best solution is using SEC, a dedicated software designed for sharing serial peripherals over the network.

Effectively, you turn the computer (with equipment attached) into a serial server which makes the device available for wireless connection from any remote client computer. Well, that’s convenient, isn’t it?

Creating unlimited virtual COM ports

Now, let’s imagine there’s a measuring instrument plugged into your local machine’s serial port. On the other side, you have a remote computer with no real COM ports installed. The goal, here, is to be able to manage the device attached to the host PC from some application launched on the remote machine. With the help of Serial over Internet Connector you can not just share serial port over IP network but create any number of virtual serial ports on the target PC running the application. To start communication, you simply connect your app to a virtual COM port created with the help of the software.

It’s worth mentioning that SEC lets you manage an unlimited number of real and virtual serial ports on any network computer on condition that it’s not restricted by the system’s abilities.

“How to” guide.

1. As the first step, you download the software here. Then install it on every computer that needs to communicate with your measuring instruments, including a local PC with devices attached and all client computers that will access equipment remotely.
   
   
2. Once installed, you start the app on the host computer, select the “Server connection” option and adjust necessary settings. After that, click “Create connection” to open the port with a device attached.
   
   
3. On a remote computer you then choose the item called “Client” connection. Specify the server’s IP address as well as the name of the open serial port and click “Connect” to start serial communication with the required device.