SIXNET Home
 Home SIXNET Home   |   About Us   |   Sales   |   Support   |  What's New   |   WebStore   |   Contact   |    Advanced Search
 Products:
  Switches
      Selection Guide
      Etherbus PoE
      Managed
      Ring
      Unmanaged
      Slim Line
      IP67 Watertight
      Military
      Gigabit
      OEM
      Modem Access
      Fiber Converter
  Cellular Solutions
  Phone Modems
  Device Servers
  Serial Gateways
  Ethernet Cabling
  Accessories
  Software Tools
  Documentation
  eNewsletter
  Employment
  Reseller Tools
For Industrial Automation Products - sixnetio.com
Get Your FREE SIXNET CD!

 Ethernet to Serial Gateway

Just click on a question below to get the answer:
Sales FAQ    (Go to Support FAQ)
Support FAQ

What Ethernet protocols are supported?

These Ethernet to Serial Gateways support Modbus over TCP/IP (Modbus/TCP per Modicon's specifications from www.modicon.com), Modbus over UDP (which is faster than TCP but has less error checking), the SIXNET protocol (over TCP/IP or UDP) and many other protocols (only units shipped after Nov. 04). SIXNET offers a 30-day free trial to verify if this gateway will work in your application.

Back to Top

What kind of devices can be connected off of an Ethernet to Serial Gateway?

These Ethernet to Serial Gateways can connect to just about any any serial (RS232 or RS485) slave device that supports either Modbus ASCII, Modbus RTU, SIXNET or other protocols (only units shipped after Nov. 04). In addition, a master Modbus (ASCII or RTU) device such as an operator interface panel can be interfaced. The master device would read/write to virtual I/O registers in the Ethernet gateway and then this data can be accessed over Ethernet.

Back to Top

Can an EtherTRAK I/O module act as an Ethernet to Serial Gateway?

Yes. An EtherTRAK I/O module has some of the same features of the ET-GT-485-1 Ethernet to Serial Gateway - plus it has I/O built-in. However, an EtherTRAK I/O module only supports the Modbus and SIXNET protocols. The Ethernet gateways shipped after Nov. 04 also support other protocols.

Back to Top

Does SIXNET have any software for these gateways that creates virtual serial ports on the PC?

No. We do not currently have any software of this type.

Back to Top

I just got my Ethernet to Serial Gateway. What should I do first?

First, install the SIXNET I/O Tool Kit software. Then power-up and connect your gateway to your PC via an Ethernet hub (use straight-thru cable) or a direct Ethernet connection (use cross-wired cable). Next, refer to the getting started help in the SIXNET I/O Tool Kit. Follow the prescribed steps to configure your gateway. (Note: These gateways are configured the same as an EtherTRAK I/O module.) Then connect your slave device to the serial port of the gateway. Now you should be able to communicate over Ethernet through the gateway to your device. Make sure your have selected the appropriate passthru mode (i.e. Modbus, SIXNET or Generic).

Back to Top

Why can't I communicate to my Ethernet to Serial Gateway from the SIXNET I/O Tool Kit over Ethernet?

First, make sure that the serial number you entered into the SIXNET I/O Tool Kit software exactly matches the one on your gateway. Make sure TCP/IP is installed on your computer. Run a DOS window and try a ping command (example: ping 10.1.0.1). If you get a "command unknown" error then TCP/IP may not be installed. Try reinstalling it in Control Panel - Network. If you get a "destination host unreachable" error then the IP address of your gateway is not appropriate for your network. If you get a "request timed out" error then check your cabling. Make sure the LNK LED on your gateway is on steady. If not then you have a wrong or bad cable. A direct Ethernet connection from your PC to the gateway requires a cross-wired 10Base-T cable. A connection to a hub requires a straight-thru cable. For more details on Ethernet troubleshooting refer to the SIXNET Knowledge Base help file.

Back to Top

I can communicate over Ethernet to my gateway from the SIXNET I/O Tool Kit but why can't I communicate to my slave device through the gateway?

First, make sure the serial port parameters (passthru protocol, baud rate, etc.) on the gateway are configured to match those of your slave device. For RS485 connections make sure you have the proper termination and biasing. See the User Manual and help files for details. Also, make sure the RS485 signal ground is connected between the gateway and slave device. For the software driver that you are using make sure you have specified the correct IP address of the gateway, station number of the device, port 502 (if Modbus), and the appropriate I/O addresses.

Back to Top

Certified to Perform
Industrial Certifications

 
SIXNET Home