Remote Serial Port Access: Detailed How-to Guide

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If you are someone that makes use of serial devices like printers, cameras, and projectors, you will at some point require access to a remote serial port over a network. There is an application that would assist you in this regard.

FlexiHub

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FlexiHub is a paid software solution that allows you to share and access serial ports from anywhere. A free 7-day trial version is available to test the product.
FlexiHub

How to access COM over your network?

In order to access COM ports over a network, you need to set up the serial port for remote access on the remote computer.

When you connect a serial device to the serial port of the Serial Computer (the server is the local computer where the serial device will be attached), the device will appear in the list of devices on the client machine.

A virtual port that is created will behave exactly like an actual physical port. Any device connected to the server machine will be accessible by the client as if the device was physically attached to the client.

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How to access remote serial ports over Ethernet

  1. Head on over to FlexiHub and create a trial account. A free trial gives you 7 days for testing remote serial port access.

  2. Install FlexiHub on the computer that will be the server, i.e. where the remote device will be connected. Once installed, launch FlexiHub and log in to your account with the credential you provided in Step One.

  3. Now install the application on the client machine (the machine from which you want to access the remote serial port). Log in to your account after installation.

  4. From the device list on the client machine, select the serial port you want to access and click the “Connect” option. The device will now be accessible and fully functional on the client machine.


FlexiHub simplifies the process of accessing remote ports regardless of physical distance between client and server machines.

What sets FlexiHub apart from other remote serial port access software/hardware solutions?

✓ With advanced access management – FlexiHub lets you specify a serial device to lock so that it's not available for the remote access. A locked device will not show up on the devices list on the client machine.

✓ You can connect or disconnect a device remotely with no physical restrictions in terms of distance. FlexiHub has a “Keep connection active” feature which ensures that the connection stays active even if the internet connection is lost. The access remote com device will remain connected until an internet connection is restored.

✓ FlexiHub makes use of 2048-bit SSL encryption for all data transfers. You can rest assured your data is secure when using a serial port over the network.

✓ FlexiHub allows you to have one account and share it with team members, giving them access to your connections.

FAQs

No. Only one computer can access a connected serial device at a time.
FlexiHub lets you lock a COM port to restrict remote access. COM ports that are locked will not show up in the devices list on the client machine. In order to lock a port, simply click the “Lock” icon next to the port you want to lock.
Yes, you can. Right-click name of the COM port you want to change. Then select “Change serial port name”.

Changing the serial port name will only change what is reflected on the device list on the client machine. This does not affect the port name on the server machine at all.

FlexiHub

Requirements: Windows XP/2003/2008/Vista/7/8/10/Server 2012
Size: 6.97MB
Version: 4.1.12932 ()
User rating: (4.8 based on 78+ users)
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