Moxa Tech Note

Real COM Mode for NPort

Real COM Mode for NPort
Moxa Technical Support Teamsupport@moxa.com

This Tech Note applies to the following NPort device server models:zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

NPort DE-211
NPort DE-311
NPort DE-311M
NPort 5100 series
NPort 5200 series
NPort 5400 series
NPort 5600 series
NPort IA5150
NPort IA5250
NPort 6000 series
NPort W2150
NPort W2150 Plus
NPort W2250
NPort W2250 Plus

What is Real COM Mode for NPort?
Real COM Mode is designed to allow Windows PCs to treat NPort serial ports as
local COM ports. The Real COM driver that comes with NPort can be used to createa transparent data tunnel from a local COM port to the NPort’s serial port.
Ethernet

PC with Virtual COM
port program

SerialNPortCopyright © 2008 Moxa IncDevice

Released on July 17, 2008

About Moxa
Moxa manufactures one of the world’s leading brands of device networking solutions. Products include serialboards, USB-to-serial hubs, media converters, device servers, embedded computers, Ethernet I/O servers,
terminal servers, Modbus gateways, industrial switches, and Ethernet-to-fiber converters. Our products are key
components of many networking applications, including industrial automation, manufacturing, POS, and medical
treatment facilities.

How to Contact Moxa
Tel:1-714-528-6777
Fax: 1-714-528-6778

Web: www.moxa.com
Email: info@moxa.com

This document was produced by the Moxa Technical Writing Center (TWC). Please send your comments orsuggestions about this or other Moxa documents to twc@moxa.com.

Moxa Tech Note

Real COM Mode for NPort

Installing Real COM drivers for the NPort DE-211, DE-311, andDE-311M
Before performing the following steps, restore the NPort’s default settings byholding the reset button down for 10 seconds.
1.

Make sure that DIP switch 1 is set to OFF (DE-211 and DE-311).

2.

Turn the NPort on. The Ready LED should turn green.

3.

Modify the DIP switch settings for serial communication as required for yourdevice.

4.

Make sure that the NPort and the host PC are properly connected to thenetwork.

5.

Adjust the NPort’s IP settings as necessary so that it is on the same network
as your PC. You may also need to modify the host PC’s IP configuration.
Make sure you can ping the NPort from your host PC.
Note: The IP addresses of the NPort and the PC must be on the same subnet.
If one IP address is modified, you may need to modify the other IP address.

6.

Install the NPort Management Suite utility on the host PC. This utility can befound on the CD that came with the NPort. It can also be downloaded fromthe Download Center at www.moxa.com.

7.

Run the RealCOM Installer program. It can be found through the Windows
Start menu as follows: Start Æ All Programs Æ NPort Management
Suite Æ COM Port Mapping Æ RealCOM Installer.

8.

In RealCOM Installer, click Add Server. If the NPort is on the same subnet
as the host PC, select Automatically search the LAN. Otherwise, selectManually enter IP address and then type in the NPort’s IP address.

Installing Real COM drivers for the NPort 5000
Before performing the following steps, restore the NPort device server’s default
settings by holding the reset button down for 10 seconds.
1.

Turn the NPort on. The Ready LED should turn green.

2.

Make sure that the NPort and the host PC are properly connected to thenetwork.

3.

Adjust the NPort’s IP settings as necessary so that it is in the same network
as your PC. You may also need to modify the host PC’s IP configuration. Make
sure you can ping the NPort from your host PC.
Note: The IP addresses of the NPort and the PC must be on the same subnet.
If one IP address is modified, you may need to modify the other IP address.

4.

On the host PC, connect to the NPort’s Telnet console by entering telnet<NPort’s IP address> at the command prompt. For example, if your NPort’s
IP address is 192.168.127.254, enter telnet 192.168.127.254 at thecommand prompt.

Copyright © 2008 Moxa Inc.

Page 2 of 5Moxa Tech Note

Real COM Mode for NPort

5.

In the Telnet console under Main Menu Æ Serial Settings Æ Port ÆInterface, select the appropriate serial interface for the attached device.

6.

In the Telnet console main menu, select Save/Restart to restart the NPortwith the new settings activated.

7.

Install the NPort Administrator Suite utility on the host PC. This utility can befound on the CD that came with the NPort. It can also be downloaded fromthe Download Center at www.moxa.com.

8.

Run the COM Mapping program. It can be found through the Window Startmenu as follows: Start Æ All Programs Æ NPort Administrator.

9.

In COM Mapping, click Add.

10. If the NPort is on the same subnet as the host PC, select Rescan and choose
the desired NPort after scanning is complete. Otherwise, select Input
Manually and then type in the NPort’s IP address.
11. Click OK and then Apply to save changes.

Installing Real COM drivers for the NPort W2150 and W2250
Before performing the following steps, restore the NPort device server’s default
settings by holding the reset button down for 10 seconds.
1.

Turn the NPort on. The Ready LED should turn green.

2.

Make sure that the NPort and the host PC are properly connected to thenetwork.

3.

Adjust the NPort’s IP settings as necessary so that it is on the same network
as your PC. You may also need to modify the host PC’s IP configuration. Make
sure you can ping the NPort from your host PC.
Note: The IP addresses of the NPort and the PC must be on the same subnet.
If one IP address is modified, you may need to modify the other IP address.

4.

From the host PC, connect to the NPort’s Telnet console by entering telnet<NPort’s IP address> at the command prompt. For example, if your NPort’s
IP address is 192.168.127.254, enter telnet 192.168.127.254 at thecommand prompt.

5.

In the Telnet console under Main Menu Æ Serial Port settings Æ Port
Number Æ Communication Parameters Æ Interface, select theappropriate serial interface and wiring type for the attached device.

6.

In the Telnet console under Main Menu Æ Network Setting Æ WLAN
Configuration, adjust the settings for your wireless network as necessary.

7.

In the Telnet console main menu, select Save/Restart to restart the NPortwith the new settings activated.

8.

Install the NPort Windows Driver Manager utility on the host PC. This utility
can be found on the CD that came with the NPort. It can also be downloaded
from the Download Center at www.moxa.com.

Copyright © 2008 Moxa Inc.

Page 3 of 5

Moxa Tech Note

9.

Real COM Mode for NPort

Run the NPort Windows Driver Manager. It can be found through the Window
Start menu as follows: Start Æ All Programs Æ NPort Windows DriverManager.

10. In NPort Windows Driver Manager, click Add.
11. If the NPort is on the same subnet as the host PC, select Rescan and choose
the desired NPort after scanning is complete. Otherwise, select Input
Manually and indicate the NPort’s IP address.
12. Click OK, Yes, and Continue Anyway to save changes.

Installing Real COM drivers for the NPort 6000, W2150 Plus, andW2250 Plus
Before performing the following steps, restore the NPort device server’s default
settings by holding the reset button down for 10 seconds.
Also, please note that for NPort Wireless Plus models, only one network interface(WLAN or Ethernet) can be active at a time. To use the Ethernet interface, makesure the network cable is plugged in before powering on the NPort. To use theWLAN interface, make sure the network cable is unplugged when the NPort ispowered on.
1.

Turn the NPort on. The Ready LED should turn green.

2.

Make sure that the NPort and the host PC are properly connected to thenetwork.

3.

Adjust the NPort’s IP settings as necessary so that it is on the same network
as your PC. You may also need to modify the host PC’s IP configuration. Make
sure you can ping the NPort from your host PC.
Note: The IP addresses of the NPort and the PC must be on the same subnet.
If one IP address is modified, you may need to modify the other IP address.

4.

From the host PC, connect to the NPort’s Telnet console by entering telnet<NPort’s IP address> at the command prompt. For example, if your NPort’sIP address is 192.168.127.254, enter telnet 192.168.127.254 at thecommand prompt.

5.

In the Telnet console under [Port], select [Line] and then select theappropriate serial interface and wiring type for the attached device.

6.

Adjust wireless network settings as necessary (NPort W2150 Plus andW2250 Plus).

7.

In the Telnet console main menu, select [Restart] to restart the NPort withthe new settings activated.

8.

For wireless operation, disconnect the NPort’s Ethernet cable and restart theNPort again (NPort W2150 Plus and W2250 Plus).

9.

Install the NPort Windows Driver Manager utility on the host PC. This utility
can be found on the CD that came with the NPort. It can also be downloaded
from the Download Center at www.moxa.com.

Copyright © 2008 Moxa Inc.

Page 4 of 5

Moxa Tech Note

Real COM Mode for NPort

10. Run the NPort Windows Driver Manager. It can be found through the Window
Start menu as follows: Start Æ All Programs Æ NPort Windows DriverManager.
11. In NPort Windows Driver Manager, click Add.
12. If the NPort is on the same subnet as the host PC, select Rescan and choose
the desired NPort after scanning is complete. Otherwise, select Input
Manually and indicate the NPort’s IP address.
13. Click OK, Yes, and Continue Anyway to save changes.

Testing Real COM Mode
Ethernet

Host PC

RS-232

NPort (COM3)

PC s native COM1

1.

Make sure that RS-232 is selected as the serial interface.

2.

Use a null modem cable to connect the NPort’s serial port to the PC’s COM
1 port.

3.

Run a terminal emulator program, such as Windows HyperTerminal.
PComm Terminal Emulator is available for free from the Download Center atwww.moxa.com.

4.

In the terminal emulator, open both COM 1 and the virtual COM port that is
mapped to the NPort. Make sure that the serial communication settings(baudrate, start bit, stop bit, etc.) match.

5.

In the terminal emulator, input some data for COM 1. If the data is received
by the virtual COM port, the Real COM connection is working.

Cable Wiring

Copyright © 2008 Moxa Inc.

Page 5 of 5