Serial Port Emulation is a software-based solution that allows you to share up to 255 serial port devices over a TCP/IP network, turning your computer into a low-cost terminal server. As a result, any serial port device connected to the COM port could be accessed from anywhere in the world as if it is attached to a local PC. It provides the ability to create a Port-to-TCP client connection, which allows you to connect to a remote server and send/receive communication serial data over the TCP/IP network. All you have to do is specify the remote server's IP address (or network name) and the TCP port to connect to, and open the local COM port. Once the connection is established, all data sent from the remote serial port device, attached to the server, will be delivered to the local serial port where it can be further processed.

How Does it Work?

Serial Port Emulation uses virtual port technology which fully emulates real serial ports and duplicates all their functionality. Windows OS treats the virtual serial ports in the same way as real ones, therefore you are no longer limited to just 2 real ports (less/any number of physical ports you have on the system) per system and may create COM port connections without occupying any real serial port.

To create such a connection, you create serial port connection pairs on both of the computers. Specify the IP address and port number to access to (in case you are setting up the client), port number and TCP/COM options to listen to (in case you are establishing the terminal servers) or remote serial port name to access (if you are emulating null-modem connection). These settings will be used to connect to the remote computer. When the serial port device, attached to the real COM port, sends communication data it will be transferred over the TCP/IP network.