Ethernet - RS485/RS32 Communications Interface
EtherBOX is an interface which allows you to connect a device with either an RS232 port or an RS485 line to Ethernet networks. The EtherBOX uses TCP/IP protocol which is also suitable for inter-networking applications.
Up to 31 "terminals" or input/output units can be connected to one EtherBOX thanks to the multidrop RS485 shareable media features. The third party device can be managed in point-to-multipoint installations with any end-to-end, CR-terminated, massage-oriented protocol, directly managed by the VAR software on the master computer.
Each EtherBOX re-transmits all messages received from the serial RS485/RS232 side to its master address (an IP address). All proper messages received from the Ethernet side are output to the RS485/RS232 line.
The "Master" role of processing the EtherBOX messages can be carried out by any computer with any make of TCP/IP protocols suite plus EtherBox-specific software. EtherBoxes are equipped with two LEDs to signal their connection status and the accessibility and availability of the master computer. All modern desktop operating systems offer built-in TCP/IP protocol stacks. Microsoft Windows95, Windows-NT and IBM OS/2-Warp are among them, so application developers can distribute their EtherBOX aware software without license-fees for third-party protocols. Back to Top
Support Software
Along with EtherBox, we supply an example of programming in "C" language, along with the source code which shows the format of the UDP packets and of the communication with EtherBOX using the WinSocket API. This program allows you to support EtherBoxes with generic terminals.
All the cabling and networking investments can now be used and enriched with the possibility to easily interface various Input/Output devices to the existing or planned commnunication infrastructure. The protocol used by EtherBOX over the Ethernet media is a TCP/IP subset suitable for inter-networking applications, too.
