New line provides revolutionary approach to installation and programming, enabling even novice users to easily configure and maintain Serial Device Servers.

Akron OH, August 13--Quatech Inc., a leading manufacturer of connectivity products for PC-based systems, today announced its entry into the Serial Device Server market. With this new line, Quatech further enhances the most robust serial connectivity line in the industry, and continues its two-decade commitment to the idea that taking advantage of new technology should not necessitate abandoning legacy devices and the applications written for them.

Ethernet is the networking option of choice for industrial control applications, and for commercial applications such as retail and banking, as it provides a low cost, efficient method of installing, managing, and maintaining a wide variety of devices. However, most of these applications use RS-232 or RS-422/485 serial equipment that cannot be directly connected to a LAN/WAN. Serial Device Servers bridge this gap by providing multiple serial ports that enumerate themselves as standard COM ports on a PC and are connected to an Ethernet network from which they can be remotely monitored and controlled. In addition, Quatech Serial Device Servers permit implementing standard serial equipment via Ethernet without rewriting any legacy application software.

Understanding that most serial equipment users are not sophisticated IT professionals, Quatech engineers designed a unique software approach that enables users without a high level of Windows expertise to easily install and configure their Serial Device Servers. To install a typical competitor's device server the user must go through a number of complex steps to even access the server over the network, then several other more complex steps to configure, test, and troubleshoot it. Quatech streamlines this process into a single, easy to use Wizard. The Wizard automatically installs all necessary drivers on the PC and into Windows' Device Manager, finds the Serial Device Server on the network, and configures each port to function as a standard PC serial port. After installation, a simple web-based management tool provides an easy mechanism from which key functions such as port configuration, diagnostics, troubleshooting, network management, and administration can be accessed.

Quatech Serial Device Servers are powered by 32-bit integrated communication processors with onboard web servers that can be accessed remotely via a standard web browser. The line is available in one, two, four, eight and sixteen port units for RS-232 and RS-422/485 configurations with a combination of DB9 and RJ45 ports. The device servers support many standard network protocols including UDP, TCP/IP, HTTP, DHCP and ARP over 10BaseT and 100BaseT. Serial port support, including full modem control, is provided for Windows 2000 and Windows XP.

Quatech will begin shipping four and eight port units in October 2002. Other port configurations will follow by years end. Pricing will start at $269 for single port units. For more information about Quatech Serial Device Servers or any other Quatech product, please call 1-800-553-1170 and talk with a sales engineer about your application, email sales@quatech.com, or visit Quatech's website at www.quatech.com.

About Quatech: Quatech supplies the industry's most reliable data connectivity solutions. It achieves this high level of reliability by virtue of quality design and manufacturing, and service and support that exceed expectations. Its customers include Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and small and mid-size system integrators and VARs in a variety of markets including banking, retail, industrial process control, security, and hospitality. Founded in 1983, and headquartered in Akron, OH, the company sells and supports its solutions through a network of distributors in over 30 countries. Website: www.quatech.com.

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Specifications for Quatech Serial Device Servers:

RS-232 Serial Device Servers
1,2,4,8 Port ThinQ Serial Device Servers

RS-422/485 Serial Device Servers
1,2,4,8 Port ThinQ Serial Device Servers

Quatech Corporate Information Page

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Download a ThinQ SDS Data Sheet