Convertor puts serial devices on the net securely

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Oct 31, 2003

The PortBox is a novel serial to Ethernet convertor that enables secure communications with any serial device over an Ethernet LAN or via the Internet.

The PortBox is a novel serial to Ethernet convertor that enables secure communications with any serial device over an Ethernet LAN or via the Internet.

And in most cases communications can be accomplished using the application's existing Windows 2000 or XP based software.

PortBox uses standard TCP/IP or UDP/IP protocols to communicate over a network, with each PortBox having its own unique MAC address.

In cases where a PC-based Windows 2000 or XP application is used to communicate with the serial device, it is a simple procedure to set up and use the PortBox.

Once the user has configured the PortBox (using the setup software and serial cable provided) it's then just a case of installing the Virtual Serial Port software (also provided) and then pointing the application at the new virtual serial port.

The PC application will then talk to the virtual serial port just as if the device was directly connected to the PC.

One of the dangers of connecting a device to a LAN, or more importantly to the Internet is that potentially it can be accessed by anyone who knows the IP address.

This is not so with PortBox.

When using TCP/IP, connection authorisation can make use of the Tiny Encryption Algorithm (TEA).

In this mode both sides of the connection authorise themselves without sending the password over the network.

Alternatively, when using UDP/IP on a local area network, it is also possible to specify a fixed range for the remote IP address so that only authorised devices can access the PortBox.