Serial communication has been declared obsolete many times. It is still running critical operations in manufacturing plants, hospitals, logistics hubs, and retail environments across the world. The equipment works. The processes built around it work. The problem is isolation: serial devices that cannot feed data into modern networks, cannot be managed remotely, and cannot be secured against contemporary threats.
Replacing them is rarely the right answer. The cost is significant, the operational disruption is real, and the engineering case for replacement is often thin. The smarter path is integration. That is what the Digi Connect EZ TS range is built to deliver.
Why Serial Infrastructure Outlasts Its Network
Serial communication persists because it is genuinely reliable. RS-232, RS-422, and RS-485 interfaces are deterministic, low-latency, and immune to the packet-loss issues that affect Ethernet in electrically noisy environments. PLCs on a factory floor, infusion pumps in a hospital, and weigh-scale controllers in a distribution centre all behave predictably over serial links. That predictability has operational value.
The challenge is not the serial connection itself. It is the gap between that connection and the IP network infrastructure that modern operations depend on. Without a competent bridge, serial devices become data silos. Readings that should feed a monitoring dashboard sit on a local screen. Alarms that should trigger automated responses go nowhere. Devices that should be configurable remotely require a technician on site.
The Digi Connect EZ TS closes that gap directly.
What the Digi Connect EZ TS Does
The EZ TS series converts serial communication to IP-based networking, making legacy devices visible, manageable, and securable from a central platform. Two models cover the range of deployment requirements:
EZ04-TS00 Digi Connect EZ 4 TS — 4-port device server for distributed or smaller-scale deployments where compact form factor and low port density are priorities.
EZ08-TS00 Digi Connect EZ 8 TS — 8-port device server for centralised installations or higher-density environments where more serial connections are managed from a single unit.
Both models share the same platform, the same feature set, and the same security architecture. Choosing between them is a question of port count, not capability.
A Direct Upgrade Path from Legacy Digi Serial Servers
Is the Digi Connect EZ TS a direct replacement for Digi ConnectPort TS and PortServer TS?
Yes. The EZ TS range is Digi’s recommended upgrade path from both ConnectPort TS and PortServer TS devices. It maintains the same mechanical footprint, comparable port configurations, and compatible RealPort workflows. Existing installations can be upgraded without redesigning rack layouts, recabling, or rewriting host application configurations.
This is a significant practical advantage. Legacy Digi serial servers have been deployed across a wide range of critical environments over many years. Many of those installations cannot be taken offline for extended periods. The EZ TS migration path keeps that disruption to a minimum.
Software-compatible RealPort driver support means host systems continue to see remote serial ports as native COM ports. Applications written for the old hardware continue to function. Teams do not need retraining. The infrastructure modernises while operations continue.
Software-Selectable Serial Standards
Does the Digi Connect EZ TS support RS-232, RS-422, and RS-485?
Yes. Each port is software-selectable across RS-232, RS-422, and RS-485. A single device can serve mixed serial environments without additional converters, adaptors, or port-specific hardware. This is particularly relevant in manufacturing and utilities, where different equipment generations may run different serial standards on the same site.
This flexibility reduces deployment complexity. In a facility running a mix of older RS-232 PLCs alongside RS-485 instrumentation, a single EZ TS unit handles both. That removes the need for multiple specialised converters and simplifies both initial installation and ongoing maintenance.
Security Built Into the Platform
Security is not optional in connected industrial environments. The Digi Connect EZ TS implements security through Digi TrustFence, a framework that addresses device security at the architecture level rather than treating it as a configuration afterthought.
TrustFence delivers:
- Secure boot: verifying firmware integrity at startup to prevent unauthorised code from loading
- Encrypted communications: protecting data in transit across the network
- Authentication controls: enforcing access management at the device level
- Ongoing vulnerability monitoring: Digi maintains active security coverage for the platform
For organisations operating in regulated sectors, these controls directly support compliance requirements. In healthcare, where connected devices are subject to increasing scrutiny around cybersecurity governance, this matters. In utilities and critical national infrastructure, it is increasingly a procurement requirement rather than a preference.
The Digi Connect EZ WS has already demonstrated this security architecture in NHS Trust deployments, where the combination of secure wireless connectivity and TrustFence compliance has driven significant adoption. The EZ TS applies the same foundation to wired serial environments.
Deployment and Integration
The EZ TS is designed to be operational quickly. Device discovery, initial configuration, and network integration can be completed in minutes using Digi’s toolset. For larger rollouts, batch configuration and remote setup capabilities remove the need to touch each unit individually during deployment.
Integration options include:
- Digi RealPort: serial devices appear as native COM ports on any host, preserving application compatibility without modification
- Serial tunnelling: point-to-point serial communication over IP for direct device-to-device connectivity
- TCP and UDP socket modes: for applications requiring direct network-layer communication with serial devices
- Built-in Python environment: on-device scripting for custom data processing, event triggering, and workflow automation without reliance on external compute
The Python capability is worth noting specifically. It allows data processing to happen at the edge, on the device itself, before information reaches the network or a central system. In environments where bandwidth is constrained or where low-latency local decisions matter, this reduces dependence on upstream infrastructure.
Centralised Management at Scale
Managing serial device servers across multiple sites or a large single facility introduces real operational overhead without the right tooling. The EZ TS supports centralised management through both cloud-based and on-premise options, allowing operations teams to:
- Monitor device status and connectivity across all deployed units from a single interface
- Push firmware updates without visiting individual devices
- Apply configuration changes to multiple units simultaneously
- Diagnose and troubleshoot remotely, reducing the need for site visits
This is not a peripheral feature. For connectivity infrastructure deployed across distributed sites, such as utilities substations, retail branch locations, or logistics depots, centralised management is what makes the difference between a manageable network and an unmanageable one.
Where the Digi Connect EZ TS Is Used
The EZ TS operates across sectors wherever serial infrastructure needs to be networked and managed:
Manufacturing and industrial automation: PLCs, SCADA systems, and machine controllers connect to central monitoring and control platforms. Operators gain real-time visibility into equipment performance without replacing the equipment itself.
Healthcare: Medical devices running serial interfaces, from infusion pumps to diagnostic equipment, integrate into secure hospital networks. TrustFence security supports the governance requirements that NHS Trusts and private healthcare operators face.
Retail and point of sale: POS terminals, receipt printers, and payment peripherals connect reliably to network infrastructure. The RealPort driver preserves application compatibility, keeping existing POS software functional.
Logistics and transport: Tracking systems, weigh-scale controllers, and dock management equipment integrate with central operations platforms. The ability to manage devices remotely reduces on-site maintenance requirements across large distribution networks.
Utilities and infrastructure: Substation instrumentation, flow controllers, and monitoring equipment connect securely to operational networks. The TrustFence security framework addresses the increasingly strict cybersecurity requirements applying to critical national infrastructure.
Industry Perspective from Rugged
As a long-standing supplier of industrial connectivity solutions to mission-critical sectors, Rugged works directly with customers navigating the challenges of legacy serial infrastructure. Commenting on the EZ TS range, Sat Bhatti from Rugged notes:
“The engineering that has gone into this platform is evident. The security framework, the flexibility across serial standards, the direct migration path from legacy Digi hardware: these are not marketing claims. They address the real friction points we hear from customers who are trying to modernise without disruption. For organisations still relying on ConnectPort TS or PortServer TS devices, this is a clear, low-risk path forward.”
Choosing the Right Model
The decision between the 4-port and 8-port models comes down to port density and deployment architecture:
EZ04-TS00 Digi Connect EZ 4 TS: suited to distributed deployments, branch locations, or applications where a small number of serial devices need to be networked at each site. Compact form factor reduces rack or enclosure space requirements.
EZ08-TS00 Digi Connect EZ 8 TS: suited to centralised installations or higher-density environments where multiple serial devices are concentrated in a single location. More ports per unit reduces the total number of devices to manage.
Both deliver identical platform capabilities. Performance, security, and management features are not differentiated by model.
Future-Proofing Serial Infrastructure
Serial connectivity is not a legacy problem to be tolerated until replacement becomes viable. It is an active part of critical operations that deserves a proper network integration strategy.
The Digi Connect EZ TS provides that strategy. It extends the operational life of serial equipment, integrates that equipment into modern IP networks, secures it against contemporary threats, and makes it manageable at scale. As organisations move toward more data-driven operations and IoT-connected environments, having serial devices properly networked is not a nice-to-have. It is a prerequisite for effective integration.
Explore the full Rugged connectivity portfolio or contact the team to discuss which EZ TS model fits your deployment requirements.
Talk to the Rugged Team
Serial infrastructure modernisation does not need to be a large project. With the right guidance, a structured migration from legacy Digi serial servers to the EZ TS platform can be planned, costed, and executed with minimal operational disruption.
Contact Rugged Limited
Phone: +44 (0) 1474 240 120
Product pages and quote requests:
EZ04-TS00 Digi Connect EZ 4 TS | EZ08-TS00 Digi Connect EZ 8 TS
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Digi Connect EZ TS a direct replacement for the Digi ConnectPort TS?
Yes. The Digi Connect EZ TS is Digi’s recommended upgrade from both the ConnectPort TS and PortServer TS product lines. It matches the mechanical footprint, maintains RealPort driver compatibility, and preserves existing application configurations. Organisations can migrate without redesigning installations or retraining staff.
What serial standards does the Digi Connect EZ TS support?
Each port on the EZ TS is software-selectable across RS-232, RS-422, and RS-485. A single device can serve mixed serial environments without the need for additional converters or port-specific hardware. This covers the vast majority of serial equipment in use across manufacturing, healthcare, retail, and utilities.
How is the Digi Connect EZ TS secured?
Security is delivered through Digi TrustFence, which provides secure boot, encrypted communications, and device-level authentication controls. TrustFence also includes ongoing vulnerability monitoring. These controls support compliance requirements in regulated sectors including healthcare and critical national infrastructure.
Can existing applications continue to operate after migration to the EZ TS?
Yes. Digi RealPort technology presents remote serial devices as native COM ports on the host system. Applications written for legacy Digi serial servers continue to function without modification. Serial tunnelling, TCP, and UDP socket modes provide additional integration options where direct network-layer communication is required.
What is the difference between the 4-port and 8-port EZ TS models?
The EZ04-TS00 provides 4 serial ports and is suited to distributed or smaller deployments. The EZ08-TS00 provides 8 serial ports and is suited to centralised or higher-density installations. Both models share the same platform, security architecture, and management capabilities. The choice is determined by port count requirements, not by feature differences.
