The functions of the serial device server

A serial port device server, also known as a serial device server or port redirector, is a device that transfers data between a computer's serial port (COM port) and an Ethernet local area network (LAN).

This makes it possible to replace the serial cable with Ethernet, reduce the chaos of the workstation and allow serial devices to be placed away from the computer where they are used.

The serial device server can be used with all types of serial devices and peripherals, such as  printers, scanners, data collection terminals, display devices, modems, automation equipment, security/alarm systems, and climate control systems.

Most serial port device servers provide the function that connects multiple serial devices to a single serial port. The serial device server can be used for wired or wireless Ethernet LANs. Some serial device servers can also run across Internet Protocol (IP) wide area networks (WANs) to access remote serial devices as if they were directly connected to a COM port on a personal computer or network server. The latter serial port device server is sometimes called Ethernet modem.