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Virtual COM-Port
What is a virtual COM port?A virtual COM port simulates a physically non-existing serial interface. The serial interface is also called COM port and is used for bidirectional data transfer with external devices. Under Windows, serial interfaces are consecutively named Com1, Com2, etc. It usually conforms to the RS-232-C standard for 25- or 9-pin connections in the SUB-D format.
What is the advantage of a Virtual COM port?
The virtual COM port enables a Windows PC to exchange data with more than two serial devices which have RS-232 interfaces. These can be integrated into the Ethernet through a null modem cable or, preferably, a serial converter such as the ipEther232. The virtual COM port is called virtual because it is not directly connected with a PC through a physical plug and socket connection, but is rather integrated indirectly through special software in the operating system. The devices integrated through a virtual COM port, however, are addressed by Windows in exactly the same way as directly, physically connected devices. If you integrate an RS-232 device into the Ethernet through a virtual COM port, you will achieve maximum flexibility because RS-232 devices can be freely used, to a large extent, both locally and with respect to number.
The virtual COM port in the PC accesses the physical COM port at the interface converter via Ethernet.
How do you install a virtual COM port? The software for the serial Ethernet converter installs the config tool, and the virtual COM port driver simultaneously. Next, the virtual COM port is installed by means of the configtool. The virtual COM port can be set individually for the found devices.
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