Network Selection Features

KEPServerEX now supports the ability to select a network interface when using Ethernet based drivers or when running a serial driver in Ethernet Encapsulation mode. Network Interface selection allows you to control what physical network interface card (NIC) will be used for a particular Ethernet driver. This can be very useful when you are trying to separate your plant floor network from your IT network.

When using multiple NICs in a single PC the operating system allows you to determine how those cards will be accessed in a general order called the "Bind Order". When using the bind order of the operating system it can sometimes be very difficult to truly separate your IT network from your plant floor network. The operating system may only allow you to access a specific network after it attempts to find your target device on the primary network. You may also be trying to use specific NICs to establish a level a communications redundancy via extra network cabling runs. In both these cases setting up your network connection would be much easier if you could make the decision of which NIC to use yourself.

The Network Interface selection shown here allows you to specifically select a NIC card for use with your Ethernet driver. As shown in the dialog below the Network Interface selection allows you to select a specific NIC card based on either the NIC name or its currently assigned IP address. This list of available NICs will include both unique NIC cards or NICs that have multiple IPs assigned to them. Additionally the selection will also display any WAN connections you may have active such as a dialup connection.

By selecting a specific NIC interface you will be able to force the driver to send all Ethernet communication through the specified NIC. When a NIC is selected the normal operating system bind order is completely by-passed. This insures that you have control over how your network will operate, which will eliminate any guess work.

The selections shown in the Network Adapter drop down menu will be completely dependent upon your network configuration settings and the number of unique NICs installed in your PC or based on the number of unique IPs assigned to your NICs. If you would like the operating system to make the bind order selection for you, you can select "Default' as your network adapter. This will allow the driver to use the operating system's normal bind order to set which NIC will be used.

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