Wiznet makers

Overview

FLS developed an SNMP-based Serial-to-Ethernet converter using WIZnet’s W55RP20.

This solution is used for environmental monitoring systems, where sensor values are received through an RS-232 serial interface and monitored over Ethernet using SNMP.

In many monitoring environments, sensors or legacy devices still provide data through serial communication. However, modern monitoring systems often require Ethernet-based access and standardized network management protocols such as SNMP.

By using W55RP20, FLS was able to build a compact embedded converter that receives environmental sensing data through RS-232 and makes that data available to an SNMP-based monitoring system over Ethernet.

Background

Environmental monitoring systems are widely used in facilities where temperature, humidity, air quality, power room conditions, server room status, or other environmental values must be checked continuously.

These systems often include sensors or sensor controllers that output measured values through RS-232.

However, RS-232 is not suitable for direct network-based monitoring because it is mainly used for local point-to-point serial communication.

At the same time, many facility monitoring and network management systems use Ethernet and SNMP to collect data from multiple devices.

This creates a need for a converter that can:

• Receive sensor values through RS-232
• Convert serial data into network-accessible information
• Respond to SNMP requests over Ethernet
• Integrate with existing monitoring systems
• Operate reliably in facility and industrial environments

FLS needed a compact embedded solution that could connect RS-232-based environmental sensing devices to an Ethernet-based SNMP monitoring infrastructure.

Solution

In this application, WIZnet W55RP20 was used as the main communication controller.

The converter receives environmental sensor data through RS-232, processes the collected values internally, and provides the information to an SNMP manager over Ethernet.

The system works as follows:

• Environmental sensors or sensor controllers send measured values through RS-232.
• W55RP20 receives and processes the serial data.
• The converter stores or manages the latest sensing values internally.
• An SNMP monitoring system sends requests over Ethernet.
• The converter responds with the corresponding sensor values through SNMP.

The key objective of this project is not only Serial-to-Ethernet conversion, but also SNMP-based monitoring.

By supporting SNMP, the converter can be connected to existing network management systems and used as part of a centralized environmental monitoring infrastructure.

System Architecture

The system can be described in the following flow:

Environmental Sensors / Sensor Controller
        |
        | RS-232
        |
SNMP-based Serial-to-Ethernet Converter
        |
        | WIZnet W55RP20
        |
Ethernet Network
        |
SNMP Monitoring System / NMS / Server

1. Environmental Sensor Interface

Environmental sensors or sensor controllers are connected to the converter through RS-232.

These devices provide measured values such as temperature, humidity, or other environmental status data.

2. RS-232 Data Acquisition

The converter receives sensing values from the connected device through the RS-232 serial interface.

This allows existing serial-based sensing equipment to be used without changing the original sensor hardware.

3. W55RP20-based Data Processing

W55RP20 handles serial communication, Ethernet connectivity, and SNMP response processing.

It works as the main embedded controller for the converter.

4. SNMP Communication over Ethernet

When an SNMP manager requests data over Ethernet, the converter provides the corresponding sensor values collected from the RS-232 side.

5. Monitoring System Integration

The collected environmental data can be monitored through an SNMP-based management platform.

This allows operators to check environmental status remotely through a standard network monitoring system.

Key Technologies

W55RP20

W55RP20 is an embedded Ethernet solution from WIZnet that combines MCU functionality with Ethernet connectivity.

In this project, W55RP20 is used as the main controller for implementing RS-232 communication, Ethernet networking, and SNMP response handling.

RS-232 Serial Communication

RS-232 is used to receive sensing values from the environmental monitoring device.

This makes the converter suitable for existing equipment that already provides serial output.

Serial-to-Ethernet Conversion

Serial-to-Ethernet conversion allows RS-232-based sensor data to be accessed through an Ethernet network.

This helps extend the usability of legacy serial devices in modern monitoring environments.

SNMP

SNMP is the main monitoring protocol used in this project.

By implementing SNMP, the converter can respond to requests from a network management system and provide environmental sensing data in a standardized way.

Environmental Monitoring

Environmental monitoring is important for facilities such as equipment rooms, server rooms, industrial sites, power rooms, and building management systems.

The converter helps bring RS-232-based sensor data into Ethernet-based monitoring infrastructure.

Benefits

This W55RP20-based SNMP Serial-to-Ethernet converter provides several advantages.

SNMP-based Monitoring

Environmental sensing data received through RS-232 can be monitored through SNMP over Ethernet.

This allows the device to be integrated into existing network monitoring systems.

RS-232 Sensor Connectivity

Existing RS-232-based sensors or sensor controllers can be connected to Ethernet infrastructure without replacing the original equipment.

Easy Integration with NMS

Because SNMP is widely used in network management systems, the converter can be added to centralized monitoring environments more easily.

Compact Embedded Implementation

W55RP20 enables serial communication, Ethernet connectivity, and protocol handling in a compact embedded platform.

Remote Environmental Monitoring

Operators can remotely check environmental sensing values through an Ethernet-based SNMP monitoring system.

Practical Solution for Facility Monitoring

The converter is suitable for field environments where environmental data must be collected continuously and monitored reliably.

Applications

This solution can be used in various environmental monitoring applications, including:

• Server room monitoring
• Equipment room monitoring
• Power room environmental monitoring
• Industrial facility monitoring
• Building management systems
• Temperature and humidity monitoring
• Remote sensor monitoring
• Network-based facility monitoring
• Legacy RS-232 sensor integration

The same architecture can also be applied to other systems where serial sensor data needs to be monitored through Ethernet and SNMP.

Conclusion

This FLS project demonstrates how WIZnet W55RP20 can be used to implement an SNMP-based Serial-to-Ethernet converter for environmental monitoring.

By receiving sensing values through RS-232 and providing the data through SNMP over Ethernet, the converter creates a practical bridge between serial-based environmental sensing equipment and modern network monitoring systems.

For facility and industrial monitoring environments, the ability to integrate RS-232 sensor devices into Ethernet and SNMP infrastructure is highly useful.

In this case, W55RP20 provided a compact and efficient platform for implementing serial communication, Ethernet connectivity, and SNMP-based monitoring in a single embedded solution.

Q1: What is this project?

A1:
This project is an SNMP-based Serial-to-Ethernet converter developed using WIZnet W55RP20.

Q2: What is the converter used for?

A2:
It is used for environmental monitoring. The converter receives sensing values from environmental sensors or sensor controllers and makes them available through SNMP over Ethernet.

Q3: Which WIZnet product is used?

A3:
The project uses WIZnet W55RP20.

Q4: How does the converter receive sensor data?

A4:
The converter receives sensing values through an RS-232 serial interface.

Q5: How is monitoring performed?

A5:
Monitoring is performed through SNMP over Ethernet. An SNMP manager requests data from the converter, and the converter responds with the collected sensor values.

Q6: Why is W55RP20 suitable for this project?

A6:
W55RP20 can handle serial communication, Ethernet connectivity, and embedded protocol processing in a compact design, making it suitable for Serial-to-Ethernet and SNMP monitoring applications.

Q7: What applications can use this architecture?

A7:
This architecture can be used for server room monitoring, equipment room monitoring, industrial facility monitoring, building management systems, remote sensor monitoring, and legacy RS-232 sensor integration.