On-demand COM and USB Virtualization over the Network
Many devices still require console access for management and maintenance. The Teleconsole is equipped with 6 DB9 serial ports and 4 USB ports - in addition to its network interfaces - to provide integrated console access in a single device. While standard IT devices have standardized console access through the RS-232 protocol, many other devices use proprietary protocols and software for console access. In addition, some newer devices utilize a USB console - something that has not caught on in the IT world.
OEM supplied diagnostic software has been developed to communicate directly with the console port on the medical equipment. The Teleconsole allows the software to think it is doing so even though the technician's laptop is not connected to any medical equipment. To accomplish this, a few steps are needed. First, a virtual communications port needs to be created on the technician's computer so the application thinks that it is speaking directly with the device via the COM port and a physical cable. Next, a piece of software running on the same computer needs to accept the traffic from the virtual COM and transmit it over the network to the serial console server physically connected to the medical equipment. Lastly, the serial console server transfers the communication directly to the console port on the medical equipment using the raw serial protocol. The same process using a virtual port and software transmitting communication over the network to the console server is also applicable for USB access.
