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Discover effective ways to add COM ports to your laptop or PC, even if your device lacks physical ports. This article covers six versatile methods, from simulating virtual ports with software to using USB and Ethernet converters. Learn how to enhance your system’s connectivity efficiently, making it easier to interface with various devices. Whether you're a tech enthusiast or a professional, these solutions will streamline your serial communication setup.
If you want to know how to connect RS232 to a PC that does not have any port or needs more for a specific purpose, there are six ways to do that.
The most effective and efficient method of adding a COM port in computers is through the use of special software. Creating virtual serial ports is a more flexible solution and eliminates the need for additional hardware or cabling.
Virtual Serial Port Driver (VSPD) from Electronic Team is an excellent choice when you need to know how to add COM interfaces to a Windows computer. It fully supports Windows 10 and 11 as well as previous versions of the OS.
Download VSPD to add an unlimited number of COM ports
❏ Provides the ability to create an unlimited number of virtual serial port pairs;
❏ Fully emulates the settings of physical COM ports;
❏ High-speed data transfer through the virtual ports;
❏ Virtual null-modem schemes;
❏ Automatic re-creation of virtual ports on reboot;
❏ Windows kernel driver technology support.
❏ Splitting and merging physical or virtual serial ports;
❏ Setting individual read and write permissions for each port;
❏ Sharing a physical serial interface with multiple applications simultaneously.
VSPD is a reliable and convenient solution to the problem of adding serial ports to your Windows computer. There is no extra equipment involved and it does not require you to use another of your system’s hardware interfaces.
If your system has a free USB port, you can use it to convert between USB and serial signals.
The USB to serial adapter is a small piece of equipment that has a USB connector at one end and at least one, and perhaps multiple, serial connectors on the other end.
Belkin USB to COM port converter
Now you can interact with the serial port on laptops despite not having a physical COM port on the device. This method requires that your computer or laptop has a free USB port.
You can obtain an Ethernet to COM converter, also called a device server, that enables you to convert serial signals. The signals are sent over the network and your computer interacts with the devices through a virtual COM port.
Ethernet to Serial device server with 4 RS-232/422/485
Using an Ethernet to COM converter entails these steps:
Taking advantage of your computer’s WiFi capabilities is another way to add a COM port to your system. The concept is similar to the Ethernet converter except it uses your wireless network. Serial WiFi adapter allows you to connect RS232 to PC to secure or open a wireless network or access point.
Serial WiFi Adapter - RS232
If you want to understand how to add RS232 to a laptop using ISA, PCI, or PCIe buses, read on.
If your computer has expansion slots, they can be used to provide serial ports to the machine. Multiport serial card installs in slots in a PC on the ISA or PCI buses.
Many different serial expansion serial boards are available which provide multiple COM ports. They can support any of the serial communication protocols, and add functionality to your computer. Quite often, you may encounter a problem with a lack of free space for serial port connectors on the external-facing part of the card. To solve this problem, you just need to have a cable with connectors on both ends.
4 Port RS232 PCI Express Serial Card w/ Breakout Cable
Make sure that the card you obtain is for the type of expansion slot in which you plan to employ it.
With the above explanation, you must have understood how to connect RS232 to a PC. There are many ways to do that. Also, many of them require you to use additional hardware and cables. You may also be faced with the prospect of swapping devices in and out of your converters.
The more elegant solution is to use Virtual Serial Port Driver to create as many virtual serial ports as you need. It is a versatile serial communication application that enables any computer to interact with serial devices.
Perhaps you have an open COM port on your computer but need multiple interfaces for a specific purpose. You may also have a port that does not support the communication protocol of the device you intend to use. Both of these issues can be solved with the addition of some hardware and cables.
In the case of requiring more COM ports when you have one open on your machine, a Serial Port Hub is the solution. The hub will have one connector that attaches to the free serial port on your computer and several COM ports available to be used by devices. The devices essentially share your computer’s single port.
DTECH Industrial 8 Port RS232 Serial Splitter Switch
Converting between serial protocols such as RS232 to RS485 is also possible with a hardware converter. One end plugs into your machine’s COM port and the other connects to the serial device.
Virtual Serial Port Driver