Brainboxes, a leader in serial and Bluetooth connectivity, today announced an expansion of its range to include Ethernet to Serial devices. The new Brainboxes products are designed to provide easy, fast and reliable connection between Ethernet ports on existing local network infrastructure and asynchronous serial interfaces. These sophisticated, easy to use RS232 and RS422/485 device servers will open up a new era in the functionality and reliability of extended networks.

Brainboxes has engineered the Ethernet to Serial devices with built-in intelligence. This means the 1 port RS232 and 1 port RS422/485 – ES-357– device servers will enable connection across a network with no loss of reliability or signal integrity, whether it is over one metre or 1,000 kilometres. The high quality of Brainboxes’ connectivity will prove ideal for large installations such as refineries, large manufacturing plants and warehousing where increased control and automation can help to reduce costs and so improve efficiency.

Most serial devices currently in use throughout industry are not connected to a local network and are working in a closed and isolated environment that requires physical access to operate, monitor or control the device. By providing a powerful processor at the edge of a network, Brainboxes’ Ethernet to Serial products now make it possible to remotely manage such devices from any connected location. Allowing the same control as if working locally and, if connected to the Internet, these devices can be based anywhere in the world and still be managed remotely.

“We identified the need for serial devices to be connected to the Ethernet network and responded by designing these serial products to work autonomously ,” said Eamonn Walsh, chairman of Brainboxes. “We believe that Ethernet to Serial connectivity is the way forward for many customers who no longer wish to rely on physical access to their devices. At Brainboxes we strive to provide our customers with connectivity options to suit their needs that are also cost-effective. By developing new Ethernet to Serial devices we are enabling our customers to both increase the accessibility of their devices and provide expanded connectivity for additional devices.”

The Brainboxes’ Ethernet to Serial connectivity range is based on proven and familiar technology. It is a cost-effective way to manage a wide range of serial accessories for various applications in an organisation.

Brainboxes’ Ethernet to Serial products are ideal for a wide and varied range of applications which are becoming increasingly networked including: ATM machines, barcode scanners, refrigeration and heating controls, medical devices, security controls, weather stations and electronic key systems.

The 1 port RS232 and 1 port RS422/485 device servers support data transfer rates up to 230,400 baud coupled with 1Mbit/s line drivers to deliver uncompromising performance to a laptop, server or PC. Brainboxes will package these products with its Boost.net driver, retaining existing software applications on the network and allowing high reliability connectivity over longer distances.

The Ethernet to Serial range comes with Microsoft signed drivers for Windows XP 32-bit and 64-bit editions. The range will also benefit from Brainboxes’ renowned lifetime guarantee and support, subject to online registration.