KernelPro Advanced Virtual COM Port CE 1.0

Contents



Introduction

Thank you for choosing KernelPro Advanced Virtual COM Port CE! By introducing this release we open the whole new dimension in the serial ports and applications connectivity! AVCP CE brings the functionality of Advanced Virtual COM Port onto your pocket PC and other mobile devices. AVCP and AVCP CE are created to be cross-compatible, which allows the data exchange between virtual ports, serial devices and applications no matter if they are installed on the desktop or mobile device.

With Advanced Virtual COM Port CE you can:

- Share physical COM port of your mobile device and hardware connected to it over the TCP/IP network.
- Share integrated serial hardware of your mobile device over the TCP/IP network.
- Create virtual COM ports and share them over the TCP/IP network.
- Create virtual COM ports and connect them to the shared devices and virtual COM ports on the other desktop and pocket PCs in the TCP/IP network.
- Create the local virtual COM port pairs, connected to each other with a virtual null-modem cable.

There are a lot of ways in which AVCP CE can be helpful in you activities.

Software which was originally designed only for work with local serial hardware can now get an access to the devices which reside on a distant desktop or mobile PCs. For example, from your desktop PC's application you can use the GPS receiver of your pocket PC like if it was connected directly to the desktop. Or from your mobile device you can work with modem or any other COM hardware connected to the desktop PC, located no matter where in the world. All you need is an Internet connection.

Ability to share virtual COM ports over the network right from a mobile device makes AVCP CE even more useful. It allows you to connect mobile and desktop applications to each other with virtual null-modem cable and not having to interact with any hardware ports and devices.

Even if there are only a copy of AVCP CE and one pocket PC, you still can get use of it. AVCP CE can create pairs of virtual serial ports which are internally connected to each other. The data sent to one port appears in the other and vice-versa. This function is designed for professionals to speed up the development and debugging of applications.

With AVCP CE you can get your work done faster and in a more effective way if you are:

- Serial port software user.
- Serial port hardware user.
- Developer of applications.
- RS-232 equipment developer.
- Embedded hardware and firmware developer.

What's new in this version

This is the first release of  Advanced Virtual COM Port CE.

Features


Who needs Advanced Virtual COM Port CE

In general, Advanced Virtual COM Port CE is a powerful tool for both businesses and individuals. Currently, there are millions of legacy serial devices and software, most without built-in network support, which are still in use. AVCP CE allows individuals and companies to share legacy serial devices over the TCP/IP networks, allows legacy software to use network communication through virtual COM ports. This provides more options for data acquisition, device management, industrial control and communication options than would otherwise be available.

Serial port software users

You are a person who uses a communication software which can only communicate with it's instances trough the serial port. By connecting virtual COM ports through the network with virtual null-modem cable, you are able to make this software use Internet for it's communication.

Serial port hardware users

You have a lot of equipment which is situated in different places and is connected to different PCs through a serial port. With Advanced Virtual COM Port CE, you can control that equipment from anywhere using your pocket PC.

Developers of mobile applications

You are a developer who is developing an application that uses serial ports on mobile or embedded devices. With pairs of local virtual COM ports you can quickly and easily debug your COM port communication, without having the equipment connected to a real COM port.

RS-232 equipment developers

You are a person who works on a large project, developing expensive equipment, which has a serial interface and is controlled by a program running on Windows 2000/XP/2003 Server/XP64. Your potential customer is considered to be satisfied with the equipment, but prefers to be able to watch the control program from his/her pocket PC or other mobile device. The only issue is that program needs a hardware to be connected directly to the local serial port. In order to display the program on both your computer and the pocket PC at the client site, use our software (AVCP + AVCP CE) and the customer will be able to access your hardware remotely.

Embedded hardware and firmware developers

When it is necessary to get the extended mobility for the development team members, while using programmators or emulators of embedded microprocessors, it can be achieved by getting the couple AVCP and AVCP CE to work altogether over the network.

Port connections explanation

Advanced Virtual COM Port CE uses two types of virtual connections between ports. One is for connecting Virtual-to-Virtual ports and the other for connecting Virtual-to-Real port.

Virtual-to-Virtual is a standard full NULL-modem connection.
Null-modem virtual serial port connection

Virtual-to-Real connection is used for sharing real COM ports.
This is a straight-through connection.
virtual to real serial port connection

System requirements

AVCP CE is compatible with WinCE 5, 6, Windows Mobile 2003, 5, 6 - 6.5.
Compilations are available for ARM and x86 processors. Please, contact support if you need another version of the product.


Installation and uninstallation

To install:

1. Unpack the AVCP CE distribution package to the folder on your PC.
2. Locate the .cab file corresponding to the OS version and processor type of your mobile device.
3. Copy the .cab file to the folder of your mobile device.
4. Run the .cab file and follow the installation instructions.
5. Run AVCP CE from the "Programs" folder on the mobile device.

To uninstall:

Locate and click the AVCP CE icon in the "Remove Programs" panel of your mobile device's operating system control panel.


User Interface

AVCP CE can be launched manually by selecting its icon in the "Programs" menu under the Windows "Start" button. If you don't want to run the program by hands every time or you need virtual COM ports to be working right after Windows boot, you can enable option "Start on system boot" in the AVCP CE's "Settings" control panel.
Every time AVCP CE starts, it disables the autoload on connect function of ActiveSync. If you want ActiveSync to work simultaneously with the program, you should run it manually or exit AVCP CE before connecting your mobile device to the computer.
Pressing the "ok" button in the top right corner of the window sends AVCP CE to the background. Tapping "Hide" option on the menu bar hides the application from showing in the task manager. To stop all work and fully close the program, please, select "Exit" option in the menu or press the corresponding button.

User Interface. Main window



We have designed the interface of AVCP CE to make it simple and comfortable to use. You can move the main window and change its dimensions as you like. Next time you start the program window will remember the position you have set. There are only a few elements on the main window. Use the "ok" button to hide the window after you have created all ports you need. Application will continue working and all ports and connections will remain active.
The list of the active ports has three folders for different kinds of functionality. Real and virtual ports you want to give access to over the network will reside in the "Shared ports" folder. Virtual ports, which are used for connecting to virtual and real ports on the other computers, are located in the "Client ports" folder. When you create two virtual ports, connected locally to each other with virtual null-modem cable, they appear in the "Local pairs" folder.
When there are ports added into the folders, you can click to the cross in front of the port's name to expand the tree and see the port's state and parameters.
On the bottom of the main window there is a status bar, which shows the string of signals of the port, currently selected in the tree view list.

User Interface. Menu

"Add Port". Starts the procedure of adding the new port onto the list. Depending on what folder is currently selected, this may be sharing a port, creating a client virtual port or creating the local pair of virtual interconnected ports.

"Remove Port". Deactivates the port, which is currently selected in the list. If this is a real port, it's sharing stops. In the case of virtual port, it gets fully deleted from the system. Only inactive ports can be removed.

"Settings". Opens the settings dialog, where you can set the network port numbers and autostart mode.

"Help". Opens this file.

"About". Shows version and owner of this copy of AVCP CE.

"Register". Use this option to enter the license key after you've purchased the program.

"Exit". Interrupts all activity and fully closes the application.

User Interface. Buttons

"Add Port".
Starts the procedure of adding the new port onto the list. Depending on what folder is currently selected, this may be sharing a port, creating a client virtual port or creating the local pair of virtual interconnected ports.

"Remove Port".
Deactivates the port, which is currently selected in the list. If this is a real port, it's sharing stops. In the case of virtual port, it gets fully deleted from the system. Only inactive ports can be removed.

"Settings".
Opens the settings dialog, where you can set the network port numbers and autostart mode.

"Help".
Opens this file.

"Exit application".
Interrupts all activity and fully closes the application.

User Interface. Settings



You can open the "Settings" dialog by pressing the "Settings" button or selecting the "Settings" option from the menu. There are two TCP port numbers needed for network port sharing and connecting to work properly. You can change these values if you want, just make sure them to be the same on all computers you use with AVCP and AVCP CE.
If you need COM port sharing and connecting to work right after the system boot, enable the "Auto loading" check box.

How to share physical serial port over network

AVCP CE allows to give the access over the network to your mobile device's real COM port and built-in serial equipment. To share COM port, select the "Shared ports" folder in the tree view and press the "Add Port" button. The "Add shared COM port" dialog will appear.



There you will see the list of ports available for sharing with their names and short descriptions. Most of them have the "Virtual" mark. Others are the real COM ports or built-in serial devices. Choose one of them and press "OK". The selected port will appear in the tree view and become available for the connecting from remote computers or other devices equipped with AVCP or AVCP CE. You can expand the tree view and see current port state and parameters. While the port is in the "Opened" state, you can click on its name and check the current signals states in the status bar of the application's main window.
To finish the port sharing, wait for its state to become "Closed" and "Disconnected", click on its name and press the "Remove Port" button.

How to create and share virtual port over network

AVCP CE allows to give the access to the created virtual COM ports over the network via virtual null-modem cable. To share the port, select the "Shared ports" folder in the tree view and press the "Add Port" button. The "Add shared COM port" dialog will appear.



There you will see the list of ports available for sharing with their names and short descriptions. Most of them are just a free names and have the "Virtual" mark. Choose one of them and press "OK". The selected port will be created in the system, appear in the tree view and become available for opening and connecting from the remote computers or other devices equipped with AVCP or AVCP CE. You can expand the tree view and see current port state and parameters. While the port is in the "Opened" or "Connected" state, you can click on its name and check the current signals states in the status bar of the application's main window.
To finish the port sharing, wait for its state to become "Closed" and "Disconnected", click on its name and press the "Remove Port" button. Virtual port will be fully removed from the system.

How to connect to the shared port

First of all, you have to know the IP address of the computer or mobile device, connected to the network and equipped with AVCP or AVCP CE. Also you may need to check the TCP port numbers in the "Settings" dialog, which must be equal on yours and the remote computers.
To connect to the shared port on the remote computer, select the "Client ports" folder in the tree view and press the "Add Port" button. The "Create virtual port" dialog will appear.



Here you have to choose one of the free port names to create, enter the IP address of the remote computer and press "OK". Program will request the remote computer for the list of the shared port, available for connecting. The dialog "Connect to port" will appear, presenting you with the list of the remote shared ports.



Select the port you want AVCP CE to connect to and press "OK". Virtual port will be created in the system and ready for opening and connecting. As with shared ports, you can see it in the tree vew list, check its state, parameters and signals.
To delete client port, wait for its state to become "Closed" and "Disconnected", click on its name and press the "Remove Port" button. The port will be fully removed from the system.

How to create a local pair of virtual ports

This function doesn't require the presence of the network connection. The ports created are connected locally to each other and only available for opening by local applications. To create the pair of local virtual ports, select the "Local pairs" folder in the tree view and press the "Add Port" button. The "Add local pair" dialog box will appear.



Just press "OK" if you are agree with the ports names, proposed by AVCP CE. If needed you can also change the names to the ones you find to suit you better. The situation is possible, when there won't be enough free names to create the pair of virtual ports. In such case, before creating a pair, you'll have to remove one or more virtual ports from the system.
To delete the local pair, wait for the state of both ports to become "Closed", select one of them in the list and press the "Remove Port" button. The ports will be fully removed from the system.

Trial version

Advanced Virtual COM Port CE offers a demo version, which means you are able to “try-before-you-buy”. Restrictions of the trial version: If you wish to use Advanced Virtual COM Port CE after the evaluation period expires, you must purchase one or more licenses. Each license gives you the right to use Advanced Virtual COM Port CE on one device. With the registered version all restrictions are removed.


Registration

Select "Register" option from the menu, the "Registration" window will appear.



Send us your name and the device code from the "Registration" window.
A registration code will be emailed to you after the software has been purchased.

To purchase the Advanced Virtual COM Port CE license please visit http://www.kernelpro.com/purchase.html


Contacts and support

Technical support is available from KernelPro Software or its authorized resellers under their standard support policies for those who have purchased licenses for the Advanced Virtual COM Port CE.

Typically we answer emails within several hours, but sometimes it may take up to 24 hours. Also please allow up to 48 hours for responses to your inquiry on weekends and holidays.

Our contacts:
Web:
 http://www.kernelpro.com
Support:
 support@kernelpro.com
Sales:
sales@kernelpro.com

When writing to support, please specify as much information as possible about your problem. Also include your order number (registered users only), Advanced Virtual COM Port CE version, mobile device model, Windows version and a detailed problem description.


Learn about other KernelPro products

Advanced Virtual COM Port is the professional serial communications utility, which combines network and local virtual serial port functions into one.

Features of AVCP:

End User License Agreement

NOTICE TO USER
PLEASE CAREFULLY READ THE FOLLOWING LEGAL AGREEMENT. BY INSTALLING THIS SOFTWARE YOU ACCEPT ALL THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT.

This version of Advanced Virtual COM Port CE including the software and its related user documentation (the "Software"), is owned by KernelPro Software, and is protected by copyright laws and international copyright treaties, as well as other intellectual property laws and treaties.

This Software is SHAREWARE product.

USE AND COPY

1. The Advanced Virtual COM Port CE is "try-before-you-buy" software. Unregistered copies of the Software may only be used for evaluational purposes during trial period. You may distribute the unregistered copies of the Software freely without charge as long as it remains whole including but not limited to existing copyright notices, installation and setup utilities, help files, licensing agreements, run-time libraries, etc. and DOES NOT CONTAIN either valid serial numbers, illegal serial numbers, or any other serial number.

2. KernelPro Software authorizes one (1) purchased license of this Software for use on one (1) computer. Multiple licenses must be purchased for use on multiple computers. "Use" means storing, loading, installing, executing or displaying the Software. You may also make other copies of the Software for backup and archival purposes ONLY.

RESTRICTIONS

1. Any use of the program which is illegal under international or local law is forbidden by this license. Any such action is the sole responsibility of the person committing the action.

2. Unregistered copy of the Software may be used for a period of not more than 15 days. After this period, you must either stop using and uninstall the Software, or purchase a legal license.

3. You may NOT sell or otherwise transfer the purchased license to any other system, or to another organization or individual.

4. You may NOT change the system date while using the evaluation version of the Software. This will cause the termination of the evaluation period.

5. You may NOT decompile, disassemble, otherwise reverse engineer the Software, or any part of it. Any such unauthorized use shall result in immediate and automatic termination of this license and may result in criminal and/or civil prosecution.

SUPPORT

Technical support is available from KernelPro Software or its authorized resellers under their standard support policies for those who have purchased licenses for the Software.

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