ACKSYS Virtual Internet Port driver

Version 3.0.4 release notes     User documentation complements     Changes Log     Known defects

Version 3.0.4 release notes

Documentation

General installation requirements

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User documentation complements

COM ports enumeration

Some people try to obtain a list of installed COM ports by looking in the "COM & LPT ports" key in the device manager, or by peeking in miscellaneous registry keys. However, depending on the provider, COM ports may be installed under other keys.

In VIP version 3.0.x, the virtual ports are named "ELTIMA Virtual Serial Port..." in the "COM & LPT ports" section of the device manager. This will change in the next release.

Serial flow smoothness

The data frames output by the port server may have embedded delays between groups of characters. This causes some devices to fail to receive the whole frame.

This is caused by the constraints of packing serial data from the application into network packets as large as possible, while not introducing large delays between characters delivery.

There are some configuration possibilities to work around this.

Warning: these workarounds will work only if the application program pauses eventually, letting enough time for data to go out of the port.

Port server failure detection

In the special case where a port is used only for reception, and the port server reboots unexpectedly, the VIP service has no way to detect this event and won't try to reconnect.

This is true even if the reconnect option is ON both in VIPconfig and in the port server.

To work around this, the application software should act periodically on the port (i.e. send a byte, or change a control signal state, or close and reopen it). This will trigger the reconnection if necessary.

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Changes Log

Version / dateChanges
3.0.0
13-sep-11		Windows Seven 64 bits support.
  • This version installs on Windows 7 32 and 64 bits.
  • On 32 bits Windows, the driver is not signed and the user must force installation when asked to do so by Windows.
3.0.1
11-jan-12 		Interactive services detection deactivation option.
This option is offered during VIP installation. It was missing from version 3.0.0.
3.0.2
13-mar-12
Correction of a Windows crash with some 64 bits process.
3.0.3
30-jan-13 		Setup clean up.
  • In the first launch, VIP creates 1 virtual port as example.
  • The VIP files are provided in the Start menu → Programs → ACKSYS → VIP.

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    Virtual Internet Port driver known defects

    Please note that several problems reported to our technical support were found as customer problems or non-bugs, thus the holes in the numbered list below.
    Also, the defects corrected in previous versions are left off this list.
    Defect # found in versions version corrected Description / Workarounds
    573.0.0- XON/XOFF flow control does not work. Characters may be lost under very heavy loads.
    → No workaround known.
    593.0.03.0.1 During installation on Windows Seven 64 bits, Windows occasionnally offers to display an empty window less frequently.
    → Uninstall VIP, and when reinstalling, select "Deactivate interactive service detection" in the last dialog box.
    → or, disregard the offer or the window. It displays no information at all.
    603.0.33.0.4 The LED "DI" should be "RI".
    613.0.33.0.4 In the French system, VIP config can not display in French but in English.
    623.0.3- The IP address can not be changed when the VIP service is running.
    633.0.33.0.4Raw mode don't run
    643.0.33.0.4Reconnection problem when Cometh power off

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    release notes     User documentation complements     Changes Log     Known defects

    VIP release notes, 10-oct-16
    Software and documentation copyright © by Acksys, 2004-2016 - all rights reserved