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  1. #1
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    Default Sharing a GNSS COM port between multiple PCs

    Hi! I’m dealing with an issue with a GNSS receiver connected via an RS-232 COM port. Only one application can access the port at a time, so when the vendor’s logging software has it open, other software, such as ArcGIS Pro, reports that the COM port is already in use. I also need to send the same NMEA stream to a second machine, such as a processing PC in the vehicle, and running another cable isn’t really practical.
    What do you use to share a single physical serial port between multiple applications or machines on 64-bit Windows?
    Ideally, I’m looking for something reliable in the field that doesn’t require special firmware.
    What has worked well for you, and what hasn’t?

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  3. #2
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    We ran into the same issue. A physical COM port can normally only be opened by one program at a time, so once the vendor’s logging software has it open, ArcGIS Pro reports that the port is already in use. What worked for us was sharing the serial stream over the network. We used
    Code:
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    to make the COM port available over the network and create a virtual COM port on the second PC. That worked well for our vehicle processing station without needing another cable.

  4. #3
    Garmin/GPS Systems GMod. Sharing a GNSS COM port between multiple PCs
    Sharing a GNSS COM port between multiple PCsSharing a GNSS COM port between multiple PCsSharing a GNSS COM port between multiple PCsSharing a GNSS COM port between multiple PCsSharing a GNSS COM port between multiple PCsSharing a GNSS COM port between multiple PCsSharing a GNSS COM port between multiple PCs
    Neil's Avatar
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    Default

    @Lukas
    The program linked in FredSe's post above has only a 14 day free trial period. After that it's US$259.95 minimum to buy a licensed version of the software. If you're looking for a free solution albeit with less flexibity and features, then perhaps one of the following will suffice:
    Code:
    Please Login or Register to see the links
    We prefer to suggest free solutions in this forum otherwise links to paid products might be construed as advertising particularly if the poster has any connection to the said product. I'm not implying this is such a case, it appears that the recommendation of "Serial Over Ethernet" is genuinely helpful however please be aware of our Global Rule #10 (o) which prohibits advertising, even indirectly or veiled.
    While on the subject of rules, #4 requires that new members introduce themselves in our Members Presentation section within 30 days of joining to remain active. Both of you should attend to that requirement. See details in my signature panel below or here: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ].
    'Thanking Posts' are banned. To thank someone, and/or to see hidden links and content, use the [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] button below left of the helpful post then refresh your browser [F5 key]. 'Thanking Posts' are banned.
    Please don't spam. Posts serving no purpose other than to thank or to ask about hidden links are trashed or deleted, it's GPSPower's policy under [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]. Please don't spam.
    [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] should make their first post as a new Intro Thread in [Only registered and activated users can see links. ].

 

 

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