The EKI-1511 is a serial device server for serial RS-232/422/485 devices such as PLC, meters, sensors, and barcode readers to an IP-based Ethernet LAN. The EKI-1511 connects nearly any device with a serial port to an Ethernet network while offering various operations such as COM port redirection, TCP server, TCP client, and UDP mode. With COM port redirection mode, standard serial operation calls are transparently redirected to the servers, guaranteeing compatibility with legacy serial devices and enabling backwards-compatibility with existing software. With TCP server, TCP client, and UDP modes, the EKI-1511L ensures compatibility in network software using a standard network API. Serial devices can communicate with other devices via peer-to-peer, removing the need for an intermediate host PC and software programming.