The DS202 is a Serial Device Server for external use. Device hardware includes one 10/100BaseT Ethernet port, one RS232 serial port and an internal processor that "glues" network and serial sides together.
From the hardware standpoint, the DS202 can be viewed as a universal platform suitable for running a variety of network and serial communications-related applications. It is the application firmware, not hardware that gives the DS202 most of its functionality.
The DS202 can run two distinctively different kinds of application firmware:
| • | The "serial device server" firmware, currently in its 3rd generation ("Release3"), turns the DS202 into a ready-to-work Serial Device Server that can connect almost any kind of serial device to the Ethernet (TCP/IP) network. This firmware has fixed functionality; you adjust the way the DS202 behaves by specifying the values of programmable parameters (settings) defined in this firmware. Functional description of the DS202 under the "serial device server" firmware can be found in the Device Server Application Firmware Manual. Also see Software Manuals for the information on PC software that works with devices running serial device server firmware. |
| • | TiOS (Tibbo Operating System) firmware turns the DS202 into a BASIC-programmable controller. This controller can be used to created any kind of network and/or serial port-related application. When running TiOS, the DS202 has no pre-defined functionality -- it simply executes your BASIC application. TiOS and BASIC programming are covered in a separate Manual ("TAIKO Manual"). |
The application firmware of the DS202 can be upgraded through the device's serial port or Ethernet port. Serial upgrades are facilitated by a so-called Monitor- a fixed "service" firmware inside the DS202. Network upgrades rely on the application firmware itself- there is a self upgrade algorithm that will be detailed later.
By default, the DS202 is supplied with "serial device server" firmware pre-loaded. If you wish to make the module run your BASIC application you need to upload TiOS firmware onto the Module. Visit Tibbo website to get the latest TiOS firmware.