Serial Ports Over Ethernet

Serial ports are pretty versatile. They are used for different equipment and various devices communication with computers and servers.

Here are some of those devices:

• Printer. Older plotters and printers;
  
• Mouse. Usually computers that don't have PS/2 or USB port use serial ports to work with a mouse. Some types of mice also connect to a serial port;
  
• Modem. Is used mostly by older computers, however some users still find it easier to connect to a modem via serial port even when their computers are equipped with a USB;
  
• Network. Connecting to network was the initial task for serial ports, this allowed large files transfer;
  
• Telecommunication equipment. Good for debugging, upgrading kernel with PPC boot, tracking boot up messages, monitoring issues with Ethernet;
  
• Temperature measuring devices. Such devices can only connect via RS232;
  
• Diagnostic tools, credit card readers, and more.

Share serial port over Ethernet

Here is the explanation how to share COM ports over Ethernet on Windows OS. The most obvious way, and probably the easiest one is FlexiHub solution. Follow the steps below:

1. Download FlexiHub from this page and install it on a computer with serial port to be shared and a computer that will access shared port.
2. Create a secure FlexiHub account to be able to share COM over Ethernet and manage this shared connection securely. Start the app and click the ‘Sign Up’ button in the top right corner.
3. On the Registration page fill in the details and click ‘Create Account’.
4. Now sign in to FlexiHub account using your newly registered details.
5. In FlexiHub window you should see all devices available for sharing. Choose the one you want to share.

On the remote computer click 'Connect' and you will be able to work with the device as if it was connected directly to your computer.