Topic: Do I need a new Com port driver?

[Moose Whisperer]

I would like to install VVP on my Win 7 (64 bit) weather computer. This machine has been happily running Cumulus (and VWS, alternately of course) with the Silabs virtual Com port driver for over a year.

Do I need to install one of the drivers listed on the VVP website (such as Com0com), or will the Silabs driver installed now also work for VVP?

If the former, do I need to uninstall the Silabs driver first?

Or

If the latter, do I just install VVP and connect to my existing virtual Com 3?

Thx

[moehoward4]

Moose    I > THINK < you have to buy the 64-bit com port driver, it should tell you that in the 'third-party driver' section of the VVP website.

[Moose Whisperer]

Well, that's my question. Since the driver I am using now works just fine, isn't it already by definition 64 bit?

[jmcmurry]

Derek,

That's a different driver that VVP requires.  It will create 4 virtual com ports that will be connected to the serial port that the Silabs driver creates, Com 3 in your case.  Then you can connect to those virtual ports (6-9) with your various weather programs.  The drivers are two different animals.

- Jim

[Moose Whisperer]

Thanks Jim, that helps a lot!

But that raises another question. So then I don't uninstall the Silabs driver?

[Beaudog]

It should not make any difference.   When you run COMOCOM or what ever virtual com port driver that you decide to use it will create virtual com ports.    you will use the new virtual com ports with VVP.    I think I still have the Silabs driver on mine. It is just not used.

[ericfynne]

You need to leave the Silabs driver installed. Virtual VP needs it, to be able to communicate with the console. You need the Silabs driver between Virtual VP and the console, and Com0Com (or whatever) between Virtual VP and your weather station software. Or use TCP/IP instead between Virtual VP and your software, but you still need the Silabs driver.

Eric

[Moose Whisperer]

Thanks again everyone, this is helping a  bunch!

But to summarize to make sure I understand correctly - if I plan to use my weather apps in TCP/IP (which seems to be the recommendation around here anyway from what I can tell), then I shouldn't even need the com0com driver?

In that case I would simply:

Install VVP to connect with my existing com 3 (Silabs) port.
Configure Cumulus and VWS to run on TCP/IP ports.
And I'm done.

right?   

[Beaudog]

Yes I believe that will work.      I have WL and Cumulus on this computer and connect to VVP across my network using TCPIP. There is no virtual com port driver on this computer.

[saratogaWX]

You only need a virtual COM port driver if you want to have your weather station software connect via COM ports -- otherwise, have your weather software connect via TCP/IP to ports offered by VirtualVP.

If you want to use virtual null-modem COM ports on Windows7, you will need a signed-driver in order to make it work.  Unfortunately, the only one I found that does this is the (purchased) Virtual Serial Ports Emulator http://www.eterlogic.com/Products.VSPE.html for $25
It works great on my development Windows7 system with VVP connected via TCP/IP to one of the VVP TCP/IP ports on my main weather system -- then I have 4 COM and 4 TCP/IP ports to 'play with' and right now, my development system is running WXSolution (COM), WSWIN32 (COM), and wview (VMWare hosted Ubuntu-natty Linux system) (TCP/IP).  If you decide to use the Eterlogic emulator, I'd be glad to share the startup command and configuration file to create COM5-COM8:COM15-COM18 mappings).

Best regards,
Ken

[Beaudog]

Here is one I never heard of before but it claims to be free and looks like it will work.    I might geive it a try if I get bored.

http://www.hhdsoftware.com/free-virtual-serial-ports

Well I tried the thing and there is no way I could make it work with VVP so either I am dumb or its darn hard to set up.

[Moose Whisperer]

Thanks again for all of the replies everyone. I'm getting ready to start on this. And Ken, if I do end up going the Serial Port Emulator route, I'll keep your offer in mind.

Thanks again!