A SCADAPack E outstation is capable of providing serial data connections via TCP/IP, using TCP Service Ports. This feature allows Geo SCADA Expert drivers to communicate with serial devices (for example Modbus PLCs) without needing a physical serial port on the Geo SCADA Expert server. This is useful if the PLC is physically located too far away to use a direct serial connection.
The diagram below illustrates the Geo SCADA Expert Simple Modbus driver communicating with a serial Modbus device, using a SCADAPack E outstation as a TCP terminal server.
With this scenario, the DNP3 driver and DNP3 SCADAPack E extension driver could be used to retrieve the I/O monitoring data. They could also be used to send configuration to the SCADAPack E outstation from Geo SCADA Expert.
Further Information
Configure TCP Service Port Properties.
Using Geo SCADA Expert’s Modbus drivers to communicate with SCADAPack E outstations: see Which Driver?.