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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a serial server?
A serial server connects RS232/RS485/RS422 serial devices to a TCP/IP network, enabling serial data networking and remote access.
What are the main differences between RS485 and RS232?
RS485 is differential, supports multi-drop bus, long distance (up to 1200m) and strong noise immunity; RS232 is single-ended, point-to-point, short-distance, often for debugging.
How do I use Bluetooth-to-485?
Connect U485 to the device’s RS485 side; pair from a phone over Bluetooth and send/receive serial data via the companion app — no cable, no driver.
What is the difference between a lightweight gateway and a serial server?
A serial server focuses on serial networking and transparent transmission; a gateway also does protocol parsing (Modbus/OPC UA/MQTT), edge computing and cloud uplift — more capable.
What devices are typically needed for industrial device networking?
Serial devices use a serial server or USB/Bluetooth-to-485; multi-protocol/cloud scenarios add an edge gateway; intelligent analytics adds AI edge hardware.