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Serial ports are an essential component of many computer-based systems. They enable communication between devices, ranging from printers to microcontrollers. However, debugging and analyzing serial port communications can be a challenging task. This is where Eltima Serial Port Monitor comes in. In this review, we will take an in-depth look at Eltima Serial Port Monitor and assess its features, strengths, and weaknesses.
Video Tutorial:
What is Eltima Serial Port Monitor?
Eltima Serial Port Monitor is an application designed for monitoring, analyzing, and debugging serial port communications. The software allows you to monitor multiple serial ports simultaneously and capture all the data exchange between devices. It supports various serial port types, including RS232, RS485, and RS422.
Price:
Eltima Serial Port Monitor is a paid application, with plans starting from $79.95. There is also a free trial version available, which allows you to test the software and its features before making a purchase.
Basics:
In its simplest form, Eltima Serial Port Monitor captures the data exchange between two devices connected through a serial port. The captured data is displayed in real-time and can be saved to a file for later analysis. The software also allows you to filter the captured data by various parameters, such as date, time, and device address.
Eltima Serial Port Monitor offers advanced features that make it a powerful tool for debugging and analyzing serial port communications. For example, it allows you to send custom commands to devices and capture their responses. You can also send data in various formats, including ASCII, binary, and hexadecimal.
Pros
- Support for multiple serial port types
- Real-time data capture and display
- Advanced filtering and searching options
- Custom command sending
- Data sending in various formats
Cons
- Paid application
- Some advanced features may be overwhelming for beginners
- No option to export captured data in CSV format
Our Thoughts on Eltima Serial Port Monitor
Eltima Serial Port Monitor is a comprehensive application that offers powerful features for serial port monitoring, debugging, and analysis. The ability to monitor multiple serial ports simultaneously is useful for industrial and automation applications where multiple devices are connected via serial ports. The software’s custom command sending feature is particularly useful for developers sending commands to devices and analyzing their responses.
However, the software’s advanced features may be overwhelming for beginners, and its lack of CSV export is a drawback for users working with large amounts of data. Nevertheless, the software’s strengths outweigh its weaknesses, making it a suitable choice for professionals working in the field of serial port communications.
What Eltima Serial Port Monitor Identifies
Eltima Serial Port Monitor identifies the data exchanged between two devices connected through a serial port. This includes the data transmitted from the sender device and the responses received from the receiver device. The software captures and displays this data in real-time, allowing users to monitor and analyze the communication between devices. The software also identifies the various parameters, such as date, time, and device address, allowing users to filter and search the captured data as per their requirements.
How to Use Eltima Serial Port Monitor?
Using Eltima Serial Port Monitor is a straightforward process. Follow the steps below to get started:
Step 1:
Install the software on your computer and launch it.
Step 2:
Connect the devices you want to monitor to the serial port of your computer.
Step 3:
On the software’s main interface, select the serial port you want to monitor from the list of available ports. You can select multiple serial ports for simultaneous monitoring.
Step 4:
Click on the "Start Monitoring" button to begin monitoring the selected serial port(s).
Step 5:
The software will now capture and display the data exchanged between the connected devices in real-time. You can filter the captured data by various parameters, such as date, time, and device address.
Step 6:
To send custom commands to devices, select the "Terminal" tab on the software’s main interface. Here, you can send data to devices in various formats, including ASCII, binary, and hexadecimal.
Step 7:
To save the captured data for later analysis, select the "Log" tab on the software’s main interface. Here, you can save the captured data to a file in various formats, including TXT and HTML.
Alternatives to Eltima Serial Port Monitor
While Eltima Serial Port Monitor is an excellent tool for serial port monitoring, there are several alternatives worth considering. Below are three alternatives to Eltima Serial Port Monitor:
1. Advanced Serial Port Monitor
Advanced Serial Port Monitor is a powerful tool for monitoring, debugging, and analyzing serial port communications. The software supports multiple serial ports and allows you to filter and search the captured data by various parameters. Advanced Serial Port Monitor also offers advanced features for custom command sending and data analysis. The software is available for $65.
Download Link: https://www.aggsoft.com/serial-port-monitor/
2. Serial Port Analyzer
Serial Port Analyzer is a user-friendly tool for capturing and analyzing serial port communications. The software supports various serial port types and allows you to capture and display data in real-time. Serial Port Analyzer also offers advanced filtering and searching options to help you analyze the captured data more effectively. The software is available for $69.95.
Download Link: https://www.serial-port-monitor.com/
3. Docklight
Docklight is a versatile tool for serial port monitoring, testing, and analysis. The software allows you to send and receive custom data to devices, automate testing procedures, and capture and analyze data in real-time. Docklight supports various serial port types and offers advanced filtering and searching options. The software is available for $139.
Download Link: https://docklight.de/
5 FAQs about Eltima Serial Port Monitor
Q1: Does Eltima Serial Port Monitor support USB-to-Serial converters?
A: Yes, Eltima Serial Port Monitor supports USB-to-Serial converters.
Q2: Can multiple instances of Eltima Serial Port Monitor run simultaneously on a single computer?
A: No, multiple instances of Eltima Serial Port Monitor cannot run simultaneously on a single computer.
Q3: Can I filter the captured data by device name?
A: No, Eltima Serial Port Monitor does not support filtering the captured data by device name.
Q4: Is there a way to export captured data in CSV format?
A: No, Eltima Serial Port Monitor does not support exporting captured data in CSV format.
Q5: Is there a difference between the trial version and the paid version of Eltima Serial Port Monitor?
A: Yes, the trial version of Eltima Serial Port Monitor has limited features and functionality compared to the paid version. The trial version is designed to allow users to test the software and its features before making a purchase.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, Eltima Serial Port Monitor is an excellent tool for serial port monitoring, debugging, and analysis. The software’s advanced features, such as custom command sending and support for multiple serial port types, make it a powerful tool for professionals working in the field of serial port communications. Although the software’s lack of CSV export is a drawback, its strengths outweigh its weaknesses, and it is a suitable choice for anyone looking for a comprehensive serial port monitoring tool.