The difference between NPort and MGate

Engineers often have difficulty deciding between NPort and MGate in their work. The answer lies in their specifications - See

NPort - is a serial device server, i.e. The device can connect devices RS-232, RS422, RS-485 connected to the computer by Ethernet protocol. The data is transmitted in the original format and the program is run with the virtual COM port or TCP Client-Server

MGate - Is the connection port of serial devices RS-232, RS-422 and RS-485 to the computer (Other Devices) via Ethernet. In addition, Mgate can convert protocols from Modbus RTU / ASCII to Modbus TCP and vice versa. In this case, instead of using a virtual COM port, the device can be connected by finding the IP address using Modbus TCP

NPort and MGate for application use

Let's take a look at applying Nport and Mgate in practice:

You need to process barcode reader data with RS-485 communication and specific protocol on your computer with available software.

In this case, Nport can convert RS-485 communication to Ethernet without a change in the receiving data. We need to install a virtual COM port on the computer and a separate software. Nport can or is dynamic with this condition

You need to extend the RS-232 interface via Ethernet with a device that runs a specific protocol, with a cable length of only 15 meters.

In this case, use two NPort devices in pairing mode or TCP Client / Server mode. This allows the transfer of data from one COM port to another without any changes to that port

You need to connect the RS-485 module of the input-output with Modbus RTU protocol via Ethernet to a remote computer, on which the SCADA system is established.

The best way to do this is to use MGate to convert Modbus RTU to Modbus TCP protocol and RS-485 to Ethernet. MGate is specially designed to work with Modbus protocols; moreover, it facilitates precise interference of protocols and minimizes the risk of data loss.

You need to extend the RS-485 line via Ethernet, so that the data will be transmitted by Modbus RTU / ASCII protocol.

The best thing for this is to use two connected MGate ports.

You need to connect the power meter that runs the Modbus RTU protocol to a computer that lacks a COM port and is located in the building next to you. Available software only recognizes Modbus RTU and does not work with Modbus TCP.

There are two ways of tackling this:

Use NPort to create a virtual COM port on your computer, whereby the protocol remains the same.
Use MGate MB3x70 series, support COM COM function to create virtual COM port. The protocol is still Modbus RTU.
Now you can confidently decide between using MGate and NPort based on your specific goals and applying them to your project.