Older benders often communicate using Serial RS-232 communications protocols. An issue with RS-232 is that cable distances are limited to 50 feet. (Signals can sometimes travel up to 100 feet, but the practice is questionable as it depends on the quality of the serial electronics used in any given application.)

So, Serial Device Servers allow RS232 communications at very long distances by running the communications through TCP/IP Ethernet.

The MOXA NPort is our preferred SDS for long-distance communications.

When connected to a bender, they are either installed in our Benderlink Ethernet Modules (see below) or attached directly to the back of a bender.

One side of the module has an RJ-45 port, and the other side has a DB9 serial port. The DB9 serial port side is plugged into a short serial cable that runs into the bender for connection to the bender's RS-232 port.

In the single-port cabled version, it looks like this:

A single-port WiFi version looks like this:

Benderlink Ethernet Modules

This is an image of a Benderlink Ethernet Module that always contains a MOXA NPort. We manufacture these modules for customers that want ruggedized hardware.

See this page for more information: https://advancedtubular.helpsite.com/articles/124007-about-benderlink-ethernet-modules-long-distance-rs-232-communications