Using a MOXA NPort instead of the M1XEP

[nmcbride]

Hi everyone,
I'm setting up an ELKM1 and don't yet have the M1XEP device, however I do have a Moxa NPORT serial to ethernet IP Device. I'm trying to use it in lieu of the M1XEP. I can't think of any reason this shouldn't work. Has else used a different Serial to Ethernet device than the M1XEP with their M1 with success? If so how difficult was it?

Disclaimer: I work for Absolute Automation and we are just getting into the Elk line of products so are trying to learn about advantages, disadvantages etc. to their products.

 

[Del91574]

Since I had to look up Moxa, I don't think it's going to be able to replace an XEP. It may work for some applications, like porting serial across a network to be pulled in by another device, just like Elk's IP232.

I didn't download the manual, etc. for the Moxa, but it doesn't look like it'll do the same as an XEP...like email, NTP time sync, built in java interface. While not a dealbreaker for some applications, I can't see it replacing an XEP. If you're using your unit to connect to 3rd party hardware serially via IP, sure it'll do that, but it's a one trick pony and for the price, I think it's easier to get an XEP and use the Moxa or IP232 and another XSP for data interface to other hardware. For that matter, it's really not that hard to put a XSP on the bus near where the hardware interface would be needed, unless wiring or construction does not facilitate this

I've used IP232's and a couple of other items to send serial over network and other media on the M1 with success, as well as integrate with other hardware.

 

[nmcbride]

Hi,
Thanks for the feedback. We've got an XEP on order, but we have these MOXA units already in stock for other systems we carry. At the moment I'm just trying to use it to connect to the M1 from a local computer with ELKRP installed on it to play around with programming etc. using the ELKRP software. But it's proving more difficult than I thought it would be, I'm able to access the MOXA device's interface through my browser but I can't seem to get RP to connect.

 

[gatchel]

If you set up the Panel communication as serial in RP using a virtual comm port on the pc that is mapped to the IP of the serial device it should work just like any other RS232 connection. I have done this with Lantronix Devices on various other equipment (Not an Elk M1 specifically) and it has worked. This is all in theory of course...And no Keypad Java GUI like the XEP.

edit: Moxa calls the capability "Real Windows Comm Drivers" in their specs using PComm Lite.

 

[ecborgoyn]

Given what gatchel says (and it should work), the OP should note that this is NOT replacing the XEP with the MOXA, The XEP implements many features., One feature is a sort of virtual comm port between RP and the M1.