Global Caché WF2SL iTach WiFi to Serial Module - Connects RS232 Control Devices to a Wi-Fi Network

We attempted to use this to integrate an older Avery / Weigh-tronix scale with a DB9 serial interface with our WIFI network.Setup was straightforward - the unit ships setup for an adhoc network which you can connect to in order to assign the SSID, password, etc. Beware that if you're running Windows 8 Microsoft tinkered with the adhoc networking so you'll have to jump through some hoops or find a different WIFI device to get the initial setup going - my smartphone worked great.Once the device was on the WIFI network it was solid. Getting into the web-based config was easy and the UI straightforward. You can also telnet into the device to get a command line and do more configurations.The scale was set to run at 1200 baud, which I noticed was the slowest speed that this device supports. It would be a good idea to double-check that your device's serial parameters will be supported by the iTach before purchasing. Flow control options are none or hardware only, no software flow control.Global Cache has a nice test utility available as a free download, which allows you to connect to the device to configure, test, etc. Worth the download - makes it easy to send ASCII characters to the serial device & view responses.Documentation in general is a little sketchy & could be improved but overall we were able to piece together how this was all supposed to work without much trouble.We were able to get the device to read the serial port & display data on the screen. If we hit the 'print' button on the scale the weight would show up in the test utility as well as when using telnet or Hyperterminal in Winsock mode connecting to port 4999. So far, so good - exactly what we expected.Things got a little tricky though when we tried to send data to the scale. You are supposed to be able to send ASCII code 05 (ENQ) to the scale, which will cause it to send the current weight back to you. We did this successfully when connecting a laptop directly to the serial port on the scale and pressing CTRL+E while connected via Hyperterminal (bypassing the iTach device).With the iTach device in the middle, no response.We tried numerous configuration changes, but could not get the send to work. Technical support took several days to respond, and indicated that the iTach would relay whatever we sent from WIFI to serial with no changes, so it "should" work.We agreed, but obviously something was not happening with the iTach in the middle.In the end we have to send this back. I would be willing to try this device again in a less mission-critical application & probably with a newer serial device (this scale isn't exactly cutting edge). In a manufacturing environment we need something with better documentation & technical support. We're giving it three stars because in general it seemed to do what it was supposed to do, but for whatever reason it did not work in our scenario,.

It was easy to configure and works reliably.I can't find anything wrong or lacking in its features.Woodland great

Not working

Compact and easy to setup.

This is a pretty cool gadget that will let you put a serial port anywhere you have network connectivity. With some router programming you could even put it somewhere on the Internet. I have two of these for my home control system that has devices requiring older serial interfaces. I wanted to put these modules more centrally located in the house and this worked well. They also make an ethernet version but the WiFi version lets you put it anywhere you have a WiFi signal without network wires (just power).The only downside is you need some 3rd party software to do the serial connection unless the software that is trying to use the serial device has a built in driver. I am using the virtual serial port driver from www.Eterlogic.com. They have a free version that works fine if you are ok with 32 bits. The native 64 bit version costs $25. There are a few others but I have not tried them. (www.Lantronix.com and search "com port redirector")If you need serial connectivity this gadget is recommended.

Works great

Step 1. Power the device and connect to its Globalcache WiFi network.Step 2. Configure the device to connect at 9600 baud at HTTP://169.254.1.70Step 3. Connect the device to a Cisco console port using a Cisco console cable.Step 4. Telnet to 169.254.1.70 port 4999 using your favorite telnet app! I repeat, port 4999 and not the default port 23 ;)

Works as advertised. Not for people unfamiliar with networks. I had issues with the Flex, it wouldn't stay on the network. This works as expected.