Ethernet Moves Out of the Office

An interesting circumstance of events occurred several days back. Sitting at my desk I received an invitation to attend an on-line Webcast presentation. The topic, "Ethernet on the Factory Floor" caught my attention. I have been researching how Ethernet is being extended into areas other than the traditional office environment for quite awhile and felt this presentation might provide me with some needed information.

The presentation went well covering a technical overview of Ethernet and software considerations. Since this is a live broadcast we could send in questions or thoughts about the presented material, with all being addressed at the end of the broadcast. Some of the questions that really caught my attention were directed at Ethernet hardware.

An audience member asked, "How can I connect a serial device to an Ethernet backbone"? Being familiar with this type of Ethernet hardware made a potential solution obvious: Incorporate an Ethernet Serial Server and configure it in a manner that will allow the existing software access to the serial device over the LAN. But, based on the response, it is clear that not everyone is aware of this solution.

This is the first of a series of articles on the different ways Ethernet is migrating out of the office. I did have a few conversations (let's depict them as water cooler discussions) regarding the Ethernet series that reminded me of the Webcast and the realization that not everyone is as exposed to Ethernet hardware as we are at B&B Electronics. That is the reason for this introductory piece.

There are Ethernet Serial Server solutions that incorporate existing serial devices on an Ethernet LAN, dispelling the thought that new software and hardware will always be necessary. Ethernet really does have a place outside the office, in the Industrial, Retail, Building and Home Automation, and many other LAN environments. Notice I did not say EVERY application is a prospect for an Ethernet solution.

I have been exposed to a variety of Ethernet solutions that have been creative and interesting. Ethernet provides a remarkably flexible communication backbone that provides the ability to integrate a wide array of devices.

As a final thought: Remember; don't throw away the old DOS software or hardware you've been so successfully using for so long. Ethernet Serial Servers have a way to put these devices on the LAN. I'll explore some of these solutions with you in the coming months.