Advantech EKI-1526 16-Port Serial Device Server

The Advantech EKI-1526 is an industrial-grade 16-port RS-232/422/485 serial device server featuring a 1U rack-mount design and dual Ethernet redundancy. It seamlessly connects traditional serial devices to the Ethernet network for remote management and data acquisition. Its core advantages include software-configurable serial port types, wide operating temperature range, high ESD protection, and rich communication protocol support. It is widely applied in industrial automation, intelligent transportation, energy management and other fields.

1. Definizione del segmento del modello (Standard Nomenclature)

2. Parametri delle specifiche principali (Official Data)

3. Elenco degli accessori (Ufficialmente consigliato)

4. Concorrente & Elenco di sostituzione multimarca (Directly Compatible)

5. Linee guida per la selezione & Soluzioni alternative

Selection Mnemonic

> 16 serial ports with dual LAN, software switch for multi-RS mode;

> I for wide temp, N for gigabit, AC/DC power as required.

Considerazioni chiave sulla selezione (5 Dimensioni)

1. Port Quantity Matching

16 serial devices: Choose standard EKI-1526

8 serial devices: Choose EKI-1528 (8-port version)

More than 16 porte seriali: Daisy-chain multiple units or select EKI-1548 (32-porta)

2. Operating Environment Adaptation

Ambiente industriale standard (-10°C~60°C): EKI-1526 standard version

Extreme environment (-40°C~70°C): Choose EKI-1526I wide-temperature model

All'aperto / humid environment: Add IP67 protective enclosure

3. Network Requirement Evaluation

100Mbps network: EKI-1526 standard

Gigabit / high-speed data transmission: Choose EKI-1526N

Network redundancy & alta affidabilità: Dual LAN auto-switching as standard

4. Power Supply Selection

Room / computer room: EKI-1526 (Alimentazione CA)

Industrial field / no commercial AC: EKI-1526T-VDC (12-48VCC)

Unstable power grid: Add UPS power protection

5. Function Expansion Requirements

Security encryption: Choose V2 version (supports SSL/TLS)

Modbus Gateway: Standard built-in, no extra license required

Remote management: Supports SNMP, integrable with industrial network management system

Recommended Alternative Solutions (3 Scenarios)

6. Air Freight Compliance & Certificazione CE (International Trade)
7. Air Freight Compliance

No built-in lithium battery / super capacitor: Classified as ordinary industrial electronic equipment, no special air freight restrictions

Transport Category: Classe 9 miscellaneous dangerous goods (non-dangerous in actual transport)

HS Code: 85176239 (Industrial network communication equipment)

Packaging Standard: Compliant with ISTA 3A to avoid transport damage

2. CE Certification Information

Compliant Directives: 2014/30/EU (EMC), 2011/65/EU (RoHS), 2014/35/EU (LVD)

Test Standards: IN 55011 (Industrial EMI), IN 61000-6-2 ( Industrial immunity)

Certification Number: Available on Advantech official website by entering the full model number

7. Application Cases & Industry Adaptation

Casi applicativi tipici

1. Smart Factory: Connect 16 PLCs/sensors; adopt dual Ethernet redundancy for production line data acquisition; support Modbus TCP/RTU protocol conversion and seamless MES system connection.
2. Smart Grid: Rete 16 serial substation devices (protection relays, contatori di energia); wide-temperature model adapts to outdoor conditions; dual LAN ensures reliable data transmission.
3. Transito ferroviario: 16-channel sensor data collection for train carriages; DC power adapts to vehicle system; high ESD protection against complex electromagnetic environments.
4. Industria petrolchimica: Remote monitoring of 16 instrument data in refineries; Class I Div 2 certification meets hazardous area requirements; support remote configuration and fault diagnosis.

Industry Adaptation Guide

The Advantech EKI-1526 is a highly reliable and flexible industrial-grade serial device server. With its 16-port high-density design, software-configurable serial modes, and dual LAN redundancy, it perfectly meets the network transformation demands of serial devices in industrial sites. Supporting multiple operation modes including Virtual COM, TCP/UDP and Modbus Gateway, it can be seamlessly integrated into mainstream industrial automation systems to realize remote management and data acquisition of traditional serial equipment. Its wide-temperature versions and multiple power options further extend its applicability in extreme environments and special scenarios.

Full EKI-1526 Series Model List

1. 16-Port Main Models

2. Modelli della serie correlata (8/32-Port Alternative)

Unified Model Suffix Definition

No Suffix: Standard temperature -10~60℃, 100Mbps LAN, AC220V power

IO: Industrial wide-temperature -40℃～70℃

N: Network upgraded to Dual Gigabit Ethernet

VCC: Supports 12～48VDC wide-range DC input

TI: Wide-temperature + industrial vehicle-grade DC adaptation

V2: 2nd-gen hardware, max baud rate 976.5kbps, SSL/TLS encryption supported

Quick Hardware Wiring Steps

1. Power on the device: AC for mains power / DC for 12-48V DC input
2. Network port: LAN1/LAN2 connect to switch or PC, dual LAN redundancy supported
3. Serial port: DB9 connects to RS232/485/422 devices; mode switch via web page
4. Power indicator: PWR steady on = normal; LINK flashing = network communication active

Basic Web Configuration Steps

1. Set PC IP to the same segment: 192.168.1.X
2. Enter default IP in browser: 192.168.1.1
3. Default username / password: `admin / admin`
4. Basic settings:

Modify device IP, subnet mask, gateway

Global serial config: unified baud rate / bit di dati / parità / bit di arresto

Serial mode: select Virtual COM / TCP Server / TCP Client / Modbus Gateway as required

3 Common Application Configuration Guides

1. Virtual COM Mode (Più comune)

Applicazione: Legacy serial software / SCADA software used as local COM port

1. Set serial mode to Virtual COM in web page
2. Install Advantech Device Manager on PC
3. Search device → bind serial ports → auto assign COM3~COM20
4. Use the corresponding COM number directly in SCADA or application software
5. Modbus Gateway Mode (For PLC & Meters)

Applicazione: Convert Modbus RTU to Modbus TCP for serial instruments over Ethernet

1. Set serial mode to Modbus Gateway in web page
2. Configure serial parameters: 9600/8N1 to match instrument
3. Set slave address and polling interval
4. Host access via Modbus TCP using device IP + port number
5. Dual LAN Redundancy Configuration (Dual Link Anti-Disconnection)

Applicazione: Linee di produzione critiche, power grid, unattended computer rooms

1. Enter Network → Redundancy in web interface
2. Enable Dual LAN Redundancy
3. Connect LAN1 and LAN2 to different switches respectively
4. Automatic seamless switchover and no data loss if any network cable fails

Quick Troubleshooting

1. Cannot access web page: Set PC IP to 192.168.1.xxx, disable firewall
2. Serial communication failure: Switch RS232/485/422 mode in web page, verify baud rate and parity
3. Virtual COM offline: Upgrade driver, set static device IP, avoid DHCP dynamic IP
4. Dual LAN no switchover: Confirm redundancy is enabled; ensure two switches are not in the same loop

Advantech EKI-1526 Dual LAN Redundancy Full Configuration Guide

The EKI-1526 supports Master-Backup dual LAN redundancy with switchover time <1 secondo. After enabling via Web UI, it automatically detects link faults and performs seamless failover to ensure uninterrupted industrial communication.

1. Dual LAN Redundancy Working Principle

The EKI-1526 is equipped with two independent Ethernet ports (LAN1/LAN2) and independent MAC addresses:

Master Port: Carries all network traffic under normal operation

Backup Port: Monitors master port status in real time and takes over only when master port fails

Switchover Mechanism: Automatically switches to backup port upon LAN link down (cable disconnection / switch failure), switchover time <1 second with no data loss

Restore Mechanism: After master port recovers, configurable for auto switch back or remain on backup port

2. Hardware Connection Preparation

Recommended Topologies (Avoid Single Point of Failure)

Hardware Wiring Steps

1. Power off the device, connect serial devices and power supply
2. Connect LAN1/LAN2 to switches (dual switches recommended)
3. Accendere; check indicators: PWR steady on, both LAN LINK lights flashing normally
4. Detailed Web Configuration Steps
5. Basic Network Settings (Mandatory)
6. Set PC static IP: 192.168.1.X (same segment as device default)
7. Browser access default IP: 192.168.1.1, login: `admin/admin`
8. Go to Ethernet Configuration → Ethernet 1: Set master port IP, subnet mask, gateway
9. Go to Ethernet Configuration → Ethernet 2: Set backup port IP (same segment recommended, per esempio. 192.168.1.2), subnet mask, gateway
10. Click Save, device auto restarts (Di 1 minuto)
11. Enable Dual LAN Redundancy (Core Config)
12. Log in Web UI again after reboot
13. Enter Network → Redundancy
14. Check Enable Dual LAN Redundancy
15. Select Redundancy Mode:

Master-Backup (Predefinito): LAN1 as master, LAN2 as backup, auto failover upon fault

Load Balance: Both ports work simultaneously for traffic sharing (supported by partial firmware)

5. Set Switch Back Mode:

Auto: Automatically switch back to master after recovery (Predefinito)

Manuale: Stay on backup port; manual switch required after master recovery

6. Set Detection Interval: Predefinito 1 secondo, adjustable 500ms~10s (1s recommended)
7. Click Save, redundancy takes effect immediately
8. Advanced Configuration (Opzionale)

4. Redundancy Function Test
5. Link Fault Test
6. Normal status: Web Status → Network Status shows LAN1 Active, LAN2 Standby
7. Unplug LAN1 cable:

Device indicator: LAN1 off, LAN2 steady on

Web status updates: LAN2 becomes Active, switchover <1S

Verify serial communication via Virtual COM / ModBus TCP, no interruption

3. Reconnect LAN1 cable:

Auto Mode: LAN1 resumes Active, LAN2 becomes Standby

Modalità manuale: Remain on LAN2; manual switch required in Web UI

2. Switch Failure Test
3. Power off the switch connected to master port
4. Device switches to backup port within 1 secondo
5. Restore master switch power and verify switchback works normally
6. Risoluzione dei problemi comuni

6. Configuration Mnemonic

> Three steps for dual LAN redundancy: set IP first, enable redundancy second;

> Dual switches avoid single point; always verify failover after config.

1. Hardware Selection: Critical sites choose dual switches; ordinary sites choose single switch dual port
2. IP Planning: Master and backup ports recommended same network segment for easy management & switchover
3. Selezione della modalità: Industrial control prioritizes Master-Backup; data collection can use Load Balance
4. Switchback Policy: Unattended sites select Auto; manual intervention sites select Manual
5. Test Validation: Perform link failover test after configuration to ensure reliable redundancy in actual faults

EKI-1526 dual LAN redundancy can be quickly configured via Web interface. The core is enabling redundancy and correctly setting master/backup IP and switchover policy. Cooperating with dual-switch topology, it effectively eliminates single-point faults in industrial networks and ensures high reliability of serial device communication. Full functional verification is recommended after deployment.