8/22/13 NetBIOS to Serial Routing Example
Tech Note 14
NetBIOS to Serial Routing Example
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Topic#: 000385
C reated: June 11, 1996
DDE links can be established across different network links using the Wonderware® NetDDE routing capabilities. This
Tech Note illustrates one example of using a NetBIOS interface that is linked to an RS-232 network using a Serial
interface.
Example RS-232 Network
Figure 1 below illustrates the physical topology of a network that is composed of a 10Base-T network using a NetBIOS
interface which is linked to an RS-232 network using a Serial interface. We want to configure the network such that
TechLab5 (or any other computer on TechLab5’s 10Base-T network) can request DDE data from TechLab6 using a Serial
connection. Also, we want to be able to exchange DDE data from a remote node such as TechLab8 to TechLab6.
F IGURE 1. NETDDE LINKS AND ROUTING USING NETBIOS AND SERIAL LINKS
DDE data is exchanged between the nodes TechLab6 and TechLab5 through a modem link using the NetDDE Serial
interface. If TechLab5 can exchange DDE data with TechLab6, then any node that is running NetDDE and is attached
to the 10Base-T network (of which TechLab5 is a member) can exchange DDE data with TechLab6 using the NetBIOS
interface and the Serial interface on TechLab5.
For example, TechLab8 can exchange DDE data with TechLab6 using the NetBIOS interface to “hop” to TechLab5 and
the Serial interface to “hop” from TechLab5 to TechLab6.
Procedure
Follow these steps to configure NetDDE so that you can exchange DDE data from TechLab8 to the destination node
TechLab6.
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8/22/13 NetBIOS to Serial Routing Example
1. A NetDDE route is for local nodes that need to access remote nodes that are not directly accessible by the
computer. In this case, TechLab8 cannot directly access TechLab6, so we need to define a NetDDE route from
TechLab8 to TechLab6.
Log on TechLab8 and select Configure/Route from the NetDDE menu. Then, click the Add button to add a route.
The Add Route dialog box should appear:
Enter TechLab6 as the Destination Node Name and TechLab5+TechLab6 for the Route to Destination Node. Click
the OK button. You now have a NetDDE route defined to connect TechLab8 to TechLab6.
Note TechLab5 and TechLab6 are the NetDDE local node names, and not the network node names or computer
names that were defined under Configure/Local Node Name in the NetDDE menu on each respective node –
although many times the NetDDE local node name and network node name are the same.
2. A NetDDE connection using the Serial network interface needs to be established between TechLab5 and
TechLab6 before TechLab5 can talk to TechLab6.
Select Configure/Connection from the NetDDE menu. Click the Add button. The Add Connection Name dialog box
will appear:
Enter the remote node TechLab6 for the Logical Node Name. (Note that TechLab6 is the NetDDE local node name,
not the network node name or computer’s name.) Enter the same name for the Network Node. Make sure SERIAL
is selected for the Network Interface. Select the port number for Ports that is the port TechLab5 is using to talk to
its modem. In this example, TechLab5 is using Port 2 (serial port 2). Click the OK button.
NetDDE is now configured so that when TechLab5 (or any other computer on TechLab5’s 10Base-T network) requests
DDE data from TechLab6, a NetDDE connection will be made to TechLab6 using the Serial network interface. Also, if a
client application on TechLab8 (such as Wonderware® InTouch™) requests DDE data from TechLab6, NetDDE would use
the defined NetDDE route that was defined in step 1. That is, NetDDE would connect from TechLab8 to TechLab5 using
NetBIOS and then from TechLab5 to TechLab6 using a Serial interface. If the modems that connect TechLab5 and
TechLab6 were not already active, a DDE request from TechLab8 would cause TechLab5’s modem to automatically dial
TechLab6 and establish a Serial connection.
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8/22/13 NetBIOS to Serial Routing Example
A. Brodie
The Tech Note is published occasionally by Wonderware Technical Support. Editors: Sabrina Abercromby and Kelly Hauser; Publisher:
Wonderware C orporation, 100 Technology Drive, Irvine C A 92618. There is also technical information on our software products at
Wonderware Technical Support, our WonderFax fax-on-demand system at (949) 450-5050, and the C omprehensive Support Knowledge
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