Cyclades Application Note

Cyclades®-TS100 Terminal Server: Serial to Ethernet Gateway

Scenario

Legacy serial devices (such as HVACs, alarm systems, environment sensors and PLCs) need to be connected to a TCP/IP network so they can be accessible by any network application, anytime and from anywhere.

In addition to access to serial devices, secure access to mission-critical devices (such as PLCs that control an industrial plant) with data encryption and authentication mechanisms is essential to ensure authorized access only.

Solution

Each serial device is connected to a secure Cyclades®-TS100 terminal server.

Cyclades-TS100 terminal server acts as a serial to Ethernet gateway by connecting to the serial device and then converting data traffic from the serial interface to the Ethernet and vice versa. With this process, Cyclades-TS100 appliance makes serial data traffic available over the TCP/IP network to any network device, application or authorized user.

Additionally, Cyclades-TS100 terminal server guarantees that any communication with the serial devices connected to it occurs securely, even when using public networks such as the Internet. This is accomplished with the use of SSH (Secure Shell) connections between the network device (or application) and Cyclades-TS100 terminal server. SSH ensures security with strong encryption of all data traffic between the management workstation and the terminal server.