StarTech I13-SERIAL-ETHERNET 1-Port RS232 to Ethernet Serial Device Server

Overview

The StarTech I13-SERIAL-ETHERNET is a compact serial-to-Ethernet device server that puts a single RS232 serial device — legacy access controllers, industrial equipment, serial-port-based automation hardware — onto a standard 10/100 IP network without re-engineering the device itself. If you have equipment that communicates over a DB-9 RS232 port and you need to manage, monitor, or pass data to it over TCP/IP, this adapter is the direct answer. It fits in a hand, draws minimal power, and supports the major IP transport protocols that enterprise and industrial integrations actually use.

The I13-SERIAL-ETHERNET (often searched as I13 SERIAL ETHERNET) bridges the gap between legacy serial infrastructure and modern Ethernet networks, supporting baud rates up to 921.6 Kbps — fast enough for virtually any RS232 application short of a few specialized high-speed industrial buses. It ships with an included power supply (100–240V AC input, 5V DC output) so there are no separate power sourcing headaches at the rack or panel.

Key Features

• 921.6 Kbps Max Baud Rate: covers the full practical RS232 speed range. Most serial devices top out at 115.2 Kbps; having headroom to 921.6 Kbps means this adapter won't become a bottleneck if your equipment pushes higher rates.
• TCP Server, TCP Client, UDP, Telnet RFC2217, and IP Protocol Support: RFC2217 is particularly valuable — it lets a remote host treat the serial port as if it were locally attached, which is how most VMS and SCADA software expects to communicate with serial devices. UDP mode works well for one-to-many broadcast applications where low latency matters more than guaranteed delivery.
• DB-9 (RS232) Serial Connector: native RS232 pinout, so no level-shifting adapter or null-modem cable is required for standard DTE equipment. The RJ-45 Ethernet port handles 10/100 network connectivity per IEEE 802.3i and 802.3u standards.
• Configurable Data Framing: 7 or 8 data bits, stop bits of 1 or 2, parity options of None/Even/Odd/Mark/Space, and flow control via RTS/CTS hardware handshaking or XON/XOFF software handshaking. This flexibility means the adapter can match the exact framing required by virtually any legacy serial device — no compromises on legacy protocol compliance.
• +/-15kV Air / +/-8kV Contact ESD Protection: RS232 lines in industrial or building automation environments are exposed to electrostatic discharge events that can kill unprotected serial transceivers. These ESD ratings provide a meaningful layer of protection against surge events on the serial side, reducing the risk of hardware damage during cable plug/unplug cycles or when running long cable runs near electrical equipment.
• Universal 100–240V AC Power Input: the included power supply accepts any mains voltage globally, making this a viable choice for international deployments or mixed-voltage facilities without requiring a separate step-down transformer.
• Compact Physical Footprint (3.2 x 1.8 x 1.0 in, 5.5 oz): small enough to mount inside a panel box, attach behind rack-mounted equipment, or tuck into an equipment closet without consuming meaningful space. At 5.5 oz it won't stress cable management or mounting hardware.
• Operating Temperature 0°C to 60°C: covers standard indoor commercial and light-industrial environments. Not rated for outdoor or uncontrolled environments — plan accordingly in facilities with wide temperature swings.
• 5–95% RH Humidity Range (Non-Condensing): suitable for most climate-controlled facility environments. Avoid deployments in high-condensation areas without additional enclosure protection.

Integration & Compatibility

The StarTech networking and connectivity line is built around broad protocol compatibility rather than proprietary ecosystems. The I13-SERIAL-ETHERNET works with any host software that can open a TCP socket or Telnet session to a serial device — this includes most video management systems that support serial PTZ control over IP, SCADA platforms, building management systems, and custom integration scripts. Because it supports Telnet RFC2217, applications like HyperTerminal, PuTTY, or purpose-built serial-over-IP clients can connect without special drivers.

For integrators working on IP camera deployments that include legacy PTZ domes with RS232 control outputs, or access control panels with serial configuration ports, this adapter provides the network reach needed to manage those devices without running dedicated serial cables back to a head-end. Pair it with a managed network switch at the edge to keep serial device traffic segmented from your main video or data network. Refer to the serial device server category for multi-port options if you have more than one RS232 device to network at a single location.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What serial protocols and framing options does the I13-SERIAL-ETHERNET support?

A: The adapter supports RS232 serial with configurable data bits (7 or 8), stop bits (1 or 2), parity (None, Even, Odd, Mark, Space), and flow control (RTS/CTS hardware, XON/XOFF software, or None). Network-side protocols include TCP Server, TCP Client, UDP, Telnet RFC2217, and IP.

Q: Does the I13-SERIAL-ETHERNET include a power supply?

A: Yes. It includes an AC power adapter that accepts 100–240V AC input and outputs 5V DC. No separate power supply is required.

Q: What is the maximum baud rate supported?

A: The I13-SERIAL-ETHERNET supports baud rates up to 921.6 Kbps on the RS232 serial side, which exceeds the standard 115.2 Kbps maximum used by most legacy RS232 devices.

Q: What is the warranty on the I13-SERIAL-ETHERNET?

A: StarTech provides a 2-year manufacturer warranty on the I13-SERIAL-ETHERNET.

Q: Can I use this adapter with software that expects a local COM port?

A: Yes, through Telnet RFC2217 support. RFC2217-compatible software and virtual COM port drivers can treat the networked serial port as a local COM port, which is how many VMS, SCADA, and industrial automation applications interface with serial devices over IP.

Q: Is this adapter suitable for outdoor or uncontrolled-temperature environments?

A: No. The rated operating temperature is 0°C to 60°C, which covers standard indoor commercial and light-industrial environments. Outdoor or unheated facility deployments would require additional enclosure protection to maintain operation within that range.

Ted Perry

The thing I keep coming back to with the I13-SERIAL-ETHERNET is the RFC2217 Telnet support — that single protocol capability is what separates a basic serial tunnel from a genuinely useful integration tool. Most VMS platforms and SCADA systems that support serial PTZ or device control over IP are expecting an RFC2217-compliant endpoint, and this adapter delivers that without requiring a driver install or a middleware layer on the host machine.

Technical Highlights:

• 921.6 Kbps Baud Rate Ceiling: practically speaking, you'll never hit this limit with standard RS232 equipment — but having headroom above the 115.2 Kbps RS232 standard means you're not squeezing the adapter to its limits during bursts of serial traffic.
• +/-15kV Air ESD Protection: RS232 lines in panel rooms and equipment closets get touched, swapped, and subjected to static events constantly. This protection level is non-trivial — unprotected serial transceivers in similar environments fail regularly, and this rating meaningfully reduces that risk.
• Compact Form Factor (3.2 x 1.8 x 1.0 in): fits inside a standard access control panel enclosure or behind a rack shelf without consuming a full rack unit or requiring a dedicated mounting position — a real consideration when panel real estate is tight.

Deployment Considerations:

• The 0°C to 60°C operating range means this adapter works inside a climate-controlled IDF closet or panel room without issue, but plan for supplemental enclosure heating if you're deploying in an unheated mechanical room that drops below freezing in winter.
• Maximum power draw is rated at 15W total — the included power supply outputs 5V DC at 3A, so verify your outlet or power strip can handle the load if you're daisy-chaining multiple devices in a panel enclosure.

Best fit for a building automation or physical security integration where you're extending RS232 control of a legacy PTZ head, serial-port-based access panel, or SCADA-attached instrument across an existing Ethernet plant network — without re-cabling or replacing the serial device itself.