Moxa Tech Note

RFC 2217 Mode for NPort

RFC 2217 Mode for NPort
Moxa Technical Support Teamsupport@moxa.com
This Tech Note applies to NPort device servers. The following models are included:zNPort 6000 serieszNPort 5600 serieszNPort W2150 Plusz
NPort W2250 Plus

What is RFC 2217 Mode?
In RFC 2217 Mode, a driver on the host computer maps a local COM port over thenetwork to the NPort device server. The host computer can then transparently
connect to the attached device as if it was attached by a serial cable.
Ethernet

PC with driver
supporting
RFC2217SerialNPortDevice

Configuring the NPort 5600 for RFC 2217 Mode
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.

Copyright © 2008 Moxa Inc.

Released on July 15, 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.comEmail: 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

RFC 2217 Mode for NPort

Remember, 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 IPaddress.
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'sIP address is 192.168.127.254, enter telnet 192.168.127.254 at thecommand prompt.

5.

In the Telnet console under (4) Operating Settings, select the serial portthat you wish to configure.

6.

Select (1) Operating mode and (1) RFC 2217 Mode.

7.

In the main menu, select (s) Save/Restart to restart the NPort with thenew settings activated.

Configuring the NPort 6000, NPort W2150 Plus, and NPort W2250
Plus for RFC 2217 Mode
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 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.
Remember, the IP addresses of the NPort and the PC must be on the samesubnet. If one IP address is modified, you may need to modify the other IPaddress.

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'sIP address is 192.168.127.254, enter telnet 192.168.127.254 at thecommand prompt.

5.

In the Telnet console under [Port], select [Modes] and then select theserial port that you wish to configure. Under Application, select Device
Control and under Mode select RFC 2217.

6.

In the main menu, select [Restart] to restart the NPort with the newsettings activated.

Copyright © 2008 Moxa Inc.

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Moxa Tech Note

RFC 2217 Mode for NPort

Testing RFC 2217 Mode for the NPort
Ethernet

PC with Serial/IP
Redirector

RS-232

NPort (COM3)

PC s native COM1

1.

Make sure that the serial port on the NPort is operating in RS-232 mode.

2.

Install a third party driver that supports RFC 2217. For the purpose of thisdocument, Serial/IP Redirector will be used as an example.
a) Open the control panel for Serial/IP Redirector through the WindowsStart menu: Start Æ Programs Æ Serial-IP Æ Control Panelb) Click Select Ports and select a COM port to be mapped to the NPort.
c) In the Serial/IP Redirector control panel, enter the NPort's IP address
and TCP port. By default, the NPort uses TCP port 4001 for the first
serial port, 4002 for the second serial port, and so on.
d) For the Connection Protocol, select Telnet.
e) Click Configuration wizard to test the connection.

3.

Repeat step 2 for each COM port that will be mapped to the NPort.

4.

Run Windows HyperTerminal or another terminal emulator, such as Moxa's
PComm Terminal Emulator. PComm may be downloaded from the Download
Center at www.moxa.com.

5.

In the terminal emulator, open both a physical COM port, such as COM 1,
and a virtual COM port that as configured in the third party RFC 2217 driver.
Open both COM ports using the same serial parameters, including baudrate,
start bit, etc.

6.

In the terminal emulator, input data into the physical COM port. The data
should appear on the virtual COM port. This indicates a successfulconnection.

Cable Wiring

Copyright © 2008 Moxa Inc.

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