Device networking
starts with a device server, which allows almost any device with serial
connectivity to connect to Ethernet networks quickly and
cost-effectively. These products
include all of the elements needed for device networking and
because of their scalability; they do not require a server or gateway.
This tutorial provides an introduction to the
functionality of a variety of device servers. It will cover print
servers, terminal servers and console servers, as well as
embedded and external device servers. For each of these
categories, there will also be a review of specific Lantronix offerings.
An Introduction to Device Servers
A device server
is characterized by a minimal operating architecture
that requires no per seat network operating system license, and
client access that is independent of any operating system or proprietary
protocol. In addition the device server
is a "closed box," delivering extreme
ease of installation, minimal maintenance, and can be managed by
the client remotely via a web browser.
By virtue of its independent operating system, protocol
independence, small
size and flexibility, device servers are able to meet the demands
of virtually any network-enabling application. The demand for device
servers is rapidly increasing because organizations
need to leverage their networking infrastructure investment across
all of their resources. Many currently installed devices lack network
ports or require dedicated serial connections
for management -- device servers allow those devices to become
connected to the network.
Device servers are currently used in a wide variety of
environments in which machinery,
instruments, sensors and other discrete devices generate data that
was previously inaccessible through enterprise networks. They are also
used for security systems, point-of-sale
applications, network management and many other applications where
network access to a device is required.
As device servers become more widely adopted and implemented into
specialized applications, we can expect to see variations in size,
mounting capabilities and enclosures. Device
servers are also available as embedded devices, capable of
providing instant networking support for developers of future products
where connectivity will be required.
Print servers,
terminal servers, remote access servers and network time servers
are examples of device servers which are specialized for particular
functions. Each of these types of servers
has unique configuration attributes in hardware or software that
help them to perform best in their particular arena.
External Device Servers
External device servers are stand-alone serial-to-wireless (802.11b) or serial-to-Ethernet device servers that can put just about any
device with serial connectivity on the network in a matter of minutes so it can be managed remotely.
External Device Servers from Lantronix
Lantronix external device servers provide the ability to remotely
control, monitor, diagnose and troubleshoot equipment over a network or
the Internet. By opting for a
powerful external device with full network and web capabilities,
companies are able to preserve their present equipment investments.
Lantronix offers a full line of
external device servers: Ethernet or wireless, advanced
encryption for maximum security, and device servers designed for
commercial or heavy-duty
industrial applications.
- Wireless:
- Providing a whole new level of flexibility and mobility,
these devices allow users to connect devices that are inaccessible via
cabling. Users
can also add intelligence to their businesses by putting
mobile devices, such as medical instruments or warehouse equipment, on
networks.
- Security:
- Ideal for protecting data such as business transactions, customer information, financial records, etc., these devices
provide enhanced security for networked devices.
- Commercial:
- These devices enable users to network-enable their existing equipment (such as POS devices,
AV equipment, medical instruments, etc.) simply and cost-effectively, without the need for special software.
- Industrial:
- For heavy-duty factory applications, Lantronix offers a full
complement of industrial-strength
external device servers designed for use with manufacturing,
assembly and factory automation equipment. All models support Modbus
industrial protocols.
Embedded Device Servers
Embedded device servers
integrate all the required hardware and software into a single embedded
device. They use a device’s serial port to web-enable or
network-enable
products quickly and easily without the complexities of extensive
hardware and software integration. Embedded device servers are typically
plug-and-play solutions that operate
independently of a PC and usually include a wireless or Ethernet
connection, operating system, an embedded web server, a full TCP/IP
protocol stack, and some sort of encryption
for secure communications.
Embedded Device Servers from Lantronix
Lantronix recognizes that design engineers are looking for a
simple, cost-effective and reliable way to seamlessly embed network
connectivity into their products. In a
fraction of the time it would take to develop a custom solution,
Lantronix embedded device servers provide a variety of proven, fully integrated products. OEMs can add full
Ethernet and/or wireless connectivity to their products so they can be managed over a network or the Internet.
- Module:
- These devices allow users tonetwork-enable just about any electronic device with Ethernet and/or wireless connectivity.
- Board-Level:
- Users
can integrate networking capabilities onto the circuit
boards of equipment like factory machinery, security systems and medical
devices.
- Single-Chip Solutions:
- These powerful, system-on-chip solutions help users address networking issues early in the design cycle to support
the most popular embedded networking technologies.
Terminal Servers
Terminal servers
are used to enable terminals to transmit data to and from host
computers across LANs, without requiring each terminal to have
its own direct connection. And while the terminal server's
existence is still justified by convenience and cost considerations, its
inherent intelligence provides many more advantages.
Among these is enhanced remote monitoring and control. Terminal servers that support protocols like SNMP make networks easier to manage.
Devices that are attached to a network through a server can be
shared between terminals and hosts at both the local site and throughout
the network. A single terminal may be connected
to several hosts at the same time (in multiple concurrent
sessions), and can switch between them. Terminal servers are also used
to network devices that have only serial outputs.
A connection between serial ports on different servers is opened,
allowing data to move between the two devices.
Given its natural translation ability, a multi-protocol server
can perform conversions between the protocols it knows such as LAT
and TCP/IP. While server bandwidth is not adequate for large file
transfers, it can easily handle host-to-host
inquiry/response applications, electronic mailbox checking, etc.
In addition, it is far more economical than the alternatives --
acquiring expensive host software and special-purpose
converters. Multiport device and print servers give users greater
flexibility in configuring and managing their networks.
Whether it is moving printers and other peripherals from
one network to another, expanding the dimensions of
interoperability or preparing for growth, terminal servers can fulfill
these requirements without major rewiring. Today, terminal
servers offer a full range of functionality, ranging from 8 to 32
ports, giving users the power to connect terminals, modems, servers and
virtually any serial device for remote
access over IP networks.
Print Servers
Print servers
enable printers to be shared by other users on the network. Supporting
either parallel and/or serial interfaces,
a print server accepts print jobs from any person on the network
using supported protocols and manages those jobs on each appropriate
printer.
The earliest print servers were
external
devices, which supported printing via parallel or serial ports on
the device. Typically, only one or two protocols were supported. The
latest generations of print servers support
multiple protocols, have multiple parallel and serial connection
options and, in some cases, are small enough to fit directly on the
parallel port of the printer itself. Some
printers have embedded or internal print servers. This design has
an integral communication benefit between printer and print server, but
lacks flexibility if the printer has
physical problems.
Print servers generally do not contain a large amount of memory;
printers simply store information in a queue. When the desired printer
becomes available, they
allow the host to transmit the data to the appropriate printer
port on the server. The print server can then simply queue and print
each job in the order in which print requests
are received, regardless of protocol used or the size of the job.
Device Server Technology in the Data Center
The IT/data center is considered the pulse of any modern
business. Remote management enables users to monitor
and manage global networks, systems and IT equipment from anywhere
and at any time. Device servers play a major role in allowing for the
remote capabilities and flexibility
required for businesses to maximize personnel resources and
technology ROI.
Console Servers
Console servers
provide the flexibility of both standard and emergency remote access
via attachment to the network or to a modem. Remote console management
serves as a valuable
tool to help maximize system uptime and system operating costs.
Secure console servers provide
familiar tools to leverage the console or emergency management port
built into most serial devices, including servers, switches, routers,
telecom
equipment - anything in a rack - even if the network is down. They
also supply complete in-band and out-of-band local and remote
management for the data center with tools such
as telnet and SSH that help manage the performance and
availability of critical business information systems.
Console Management Solutions from Lantronix
Lantronix provides complete in-band and out-of-band local and remote management
solutions for the data center. Lantronix secure
console management products give IT managers unsurpassed ability
to securely and remotely manage serial devices, including servers,
switches, routers, telecom equipment - anything
in a rack - even if the network is down.
Conclusion
The ability to manage virtually any electronic device over a
network or the Internet is changing the way the world works and does
business. With the ability to remotely manage,
monitor, diagnose and control equipment, a new level of
functionality is added to networking — providing business with increased
intelligence and efficiency. Lantronix
leads the way in developing new network intelligence and has been a
tireless pioneer in machine-to-machine (M2M) communication technology.
We hope this introduction to networking
has been helpful and informative. This tutorial was meant to be an
overview and not a comprehensive guide that explains everything there
is to know about planning, installing,
administering and troubleshooting a network. There are many
Internet websites, books and magazines available that explain all
aspects of computer networks, from LANs to WANs,
network hardware to running cable. To learn about these subjects
in greater detail, check your local bookstore, software retailer or
newsstand for more information.
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