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Sharing Serial over IP: Comprehensive User Guide

This article highlights various ways to implement serial over TCP/IP capabilities. We will explore some of the best serial over IP hardware and RS232 over IP software to help you determine which solution works best for your situation.

FlexiHub


4.8 Rank based on 386+ Reviews
Sharing Serial over IP
Olga Weis Olga Weis Last updated Aug 2, 2024

Serial over IP is a technology that enables data packets to be sent from real or virtual serial ports over a TCP/IP network. This provides a method to configure, monitor, and manage COM interfaces remotely.

Serial over IP Software

With Serial over IP software, distance is no longer a barrier. No matter where your device is located, this software ensures seamless communication. Simply install the application on the computer with the physical connection to the device and on the machines that need access. That's all it takes to establish remote communication.

This versatile TCP/IP converter software can be used for various purposes, such as:

  • Connecting to serial ports from virtual environments like VirtualBox, VMware, and Hyper-V.
  • Creating virtual serial interfaces that emulate and are recognized as physical RS232, RS422, and RS485 ports.
  • Sharing COM ports on Linux, Windows, and ARM-based devices.
  • Enabling the transmission of RAW data.
  • Redirecting real or virtual serial traffic over UDP/IP.

With these capabilities, Serial over IP software provides a flexible and efficient solution for managing and accessing serial devices remotely.

FlexiHub

FlexiHub provides users with a serial over IP software solution that enables connectivity between locally-attached serial devices and remote network-connected machines with a few clicks.

FlexiHub
4.8 Rank based on 386+ Reviews
share usb over network

Working with FlexiHub is really easy, no advanced setup or lengthy configuration process is required. As a result, the user can connect a serial device over IP from a remote location and doesn’t have to worry about where the device is located physically.

Step-by-Step Instructions

To share serial devices over an IP network, you will require to:

  • 1.
    Create a FlexiHub account and pick the plan with the required amount of connections.
    register flexihub account
  • 2.
    Install the application on the server computer that has a serial device physically connected to it.
    download compatible flexihub version
  • 3.
    Open the software and log into your FlexiHub account.
    connect diagnostic interface to the car
  • 4.
    Repeat steps 2 and 3 with the computer that will connect to a serial device over IP.
    log in to perform remote diagnostics
  • 5.
    In the list of COM ports available for connection, locate the required one and click "Connect" next to it.
    diagnostics software checks the remote car

For the video instructions on how to share serial ports over IP protocol, please refer to this video:

And that’s all you will need to do to share a serial device over IP and connect it to a remote working station.

FlexiHub Benefits

FlexiHub goes beyond what other serial-to-IP apps are able to offer, especially concerning the speed of connections and security of data transfer.


  • ✦ Establish communication with network-attached serial devices from anywhere in the world with no distance limitations using FlexiHub. Computers that are logged into the same FlexiHub account can immediately access COM devices as soon as they are plugged in.

  • ✦ Advanced security is provided by this RS232 to IP software with 2048-bit SSL encryption. FlexiHub keeps your serial data safe when transferring it over the network.

  • ✦ Establishing a direct connection with this RS232 to TCP/IP software may not be possible if the two machines do not have public and discoverable IP addresses. You can use the redirector server within FlexiHub so that you still can remotely connect to shared COM ports.

  • ✦ FlexiHub provides cross-platform functionality between Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Only Windows systems can share and connect to RS232 over IP.

Serial to Ethernet Connector

Serial to Ethernet Connector is a user-friendly software that enables you to route data from all your COM devices over IP networks.

Serial to Ethernet Connector
4.9 Rank based on 243+ Reviews
Serial to Ethernet Connector

The Serial to Ethernet Connector solution works seamlessly on both Windows and Linux, displaying the equipment in Device Manager as if it were physically connected to your machine.

How to Share Serial Port Devices over IP

Understanding the Basics

  • Server: The computer to which the serial device is physically connected.
  • Clients: The machines that will access the device via the IP network.

Here’s a simple guide to help you set up a serial over IP connection:

  • 1.
    Download and Install: Get Serial to Ethernet Connector and install it on all the computers that will participate in the COM over IP communication.
    Get Serial to Ethernet Connector and install it
  • 2.
    Set Up the Server:
    • Launch the app on the server.
    • Select the “Server connection” tab.
    • Configure the connection parameters.
    • Click the “Create connection” button.
    Set Up the Server
  • 3.
    Configure the Clients:
    • Start the program on a client machine.
    • Choose “Client connection” in the main menu.
    • Configure the settings in the window.
    • Click “Create connection”.
    Configure the Clients

And that’s it! Now, any device connected to the server’s COM ports will be accessible to clients anywhere in the network.

Serial over IP Hardware

A serial to IP converter is a hardware device used to enable the remote management and control of serial-based equipment connected to an IP network. It converts data generated by devices using serial protocols such as RS232, RS422, or RS485 to TCP/IP packets that can be transferred over a network.

Typically an RS232 to TCP/IP converter is configured with a wired 10/100/1000 Ethernet or wireless network interface on one side, with the other side containing one or several serial ports. Some are very simple devices with limited functionality. More advanced serial to IP adapters provide advanced data transmission security with features like data encryption and user authentication.

StarTech Serial to IP Converter

StarTech Serial to IP Converter

The StarTech RS232 to IP converter can be used to remotely manage and connect to remote network-attached serial devices over a local area network (LAN).

The device provides a single serial port and the functionality to interact with remote serial devices as if they were directly connected to your computer.

It works efficiently with your integrated serial ports and has faster data transfer rates than many competing RS232 to IP converters. Configuration can be done with onboard software or through a web browser.

FlexiHub
4.8 Rank based on 386+ Reviews

Perle IOLAN Serial to IP Converter

Perle IOLAN Serial to IP Converter

Perle IOLAN RS232 to IP converters are designed to provide enhanced security to enable IT assets to be securely and remotely managed from any location.

These serial port to TCP/IP converters address enterprise compliance policies with a feature like SSH/SSL encryption.

They can be easily integrated with existing network and IT equipment and offer Centralized Management Software that consolidates the management of network and IT resources in a single application.

Moxa NPort RS232 to IP Converter

Moxa NPort RS232 to IP Converter

Moxa NPort serial to TCP/IP converters are small and easy to use and set up. Their size and flexibility make them perfect for connecting payment terminals, card readers, and other serial devices to an IP-based network.

The Moxa NPort line of serial servers fully supports use with the Windows and Linux operating systems.

They offer simplified installation and configuration that allow you to keep using legacy software requiring access to serial ports over an IP-based network.

Sharing Serial over IP
  • 4.8 overall rank based on 386+ Reviews
  • Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and Raspberry Pi.
  • 10.76MB Size.
  • Version 7.0.15125. (3 Jun, 2024).
  • Pricing starts $14 per month billed annually