X-PortSwitch - The Hardware Port Server.

The further implementation of the Idea of Networked Chromatograph, and the modern hardware solutions like Lantronix X-Port, lead us to the development of product we have called the X-PortSwitch (X-Port* | PortSwitch). Comparable with the software analogue PortSwitch, the device is slightly different in functionality.

Anyway this thing can easily convert your RS-232 instrument into Network Device.

The UniChrom drivers are built using hardware abstraction which makes driver do not care about underlying communication resources. It does not matter if the driver works with serial port COM1 or TCP port 9100 or 10000.

So the only action must be taken after converting your generic instrument into Networked - is to change the COMM port name in Configuration Editor of UniChrom.

The COMM port name have to be specified in the style:

tcp:hostname.domainname:portnumber
or
tcp:192.168.0.1:portnumber

Where the prefix tcp (in small letters) is necessary for specifying that we have to connect TCP port instead of real COMM, hostname.domainname assigned in DNS or dotted decimal representation of IP address.
Portnumber is the decimal TCP port number, the X-PortSwitch listens.

The picture at the left shows the Chromatec Crystall-5000.1 under UniChrom control through LAN in our laboratory. The network cable is red (and nice) since it is crossover and is connected to auto-sensing 10/100 Ethernet switch. The instrument just got the method and goes to ready condition. Both LED's showing 100 mbit link and continuous data transfer (signal measurement). The computer controlling the instrument is in the next room (approx 10m at right so it is impossible to fit them in one image).

Order the X-PortSwitch.