[time-nuts] Serial-Ethernet

Joseph Gray jgray at zianet.com
Wed Mar 16 19:54:47 EDT 2016


Well, the 4-port serial to Ethernet converter has been running for 22
hours, collecting data from two GPSDO's and it hasn't missed a beat.

Although I have had the Lucent unit running for several months, this
is the first time I have hooked up to the RS-422 port and taken data
from it. From the look of this graph, it seems to be performing quite
well.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/19599147/Lucent%20Adev.png

Joe Gray
W5JG


On Tue, Mar 15, 2016 at 7:05 PM, Joseph Gray <jgray at zianet.com> wrote:
> On Thu, Feb 25, 2016 at 1:38 AM, Tom Van Baak <tvb at leapsecond.com> wrote:
>>
>> And, if you have a couple of 422 devices, consider the economics of a 4-port unit like:
>>
>> http://www.ebay.com/itm/301881123530
>
> As promised, I am reporting on the USR-N540, 4-serial-port to Ethernet
> box that Tom linked to. I had originally found it for less, but after
> ordering, the seller emailed back to tell me he had no more at that
> price. In any event, after about three weeks from China, my unit
> arrived today. I haven't had any long term experience with this thing,
> so hopefully it will continue to work.
>
> It was very well packed in a small box with hard foam. Included are
> the converter box, wall wart (switcher), 2-pin screw terminal power
> adapter, serial cable, Ethernet cable and four DE-9 to 4-pin screw
> terminal adapters (for RS-422, RS-485). No documentation and no
> software. The box is made from steel and seems substantial. The power
> input is labeled "DC: 9-24V".
>
> I downloaded manuals and software from here:
> http://www.usriot.com/p/4-serial-port-to-ethernet-converter/
>
> One annoying thing is that the box is setup with a static IP, instead
> of DHCP. The default IP of 192.168.0.7 is printed on the bottom, as
> well as in the manual. The MAC address is not printed on the bottom.
> The manual also lists the default login credentials.
>
> I initially only configured Port 1 in the web interface, to test with
> my HP Z3801A (RS-232, 19200, 7, odd, 1). I then installed the Virtual
> Serial Port software. This seems to be a licensed version of the
> Eltima software http://www.eltima.com/products/vspdxp/. Or, perhaps
> the Eltimat software is licensed from USR IOT?
>
> In the software, you can click on the "Smart VCOM" button and all four
> ports will be assigned for you, using the first available port numbers
> on your PC. I wanted a sequential range of 10-13, so I configured each
> port individually, using the "Add COM" button. The interface box uses
> TCP/IP ports of 23, 26, 29 and 32 by default, but these can be changed
> in the web interface. Interestingly, the MAC address can also be
> changed.
>
> The web interface is very well laid out and logical, as is the Virtual
> Serial Port software. I have been connected to the Z3801A for almost
> half an hour and things seem to be working just fine. I'll update if I
> encounter any problems later. I will have to try the RS-422 with my
> Lucent GPSDO.
>
> All in all, I am pleased with this converter box. At $20 per port, it
> seems like a good deal for a new item. I know that others are using
> surplus terminal servers that they bought for less.
>
> Approximate dimensions: 8.5" (including mounting ears) x 4.75" x 1.2"
>
> Joe Gray
> W5JG


More information about the time-nuts mailing list