StarTech.com USB to Serial Adapter Hub â€" 8 Port â€" Industrial â€" Wall Mount â€" Din Rail â€" COM Port Retention â€" FTDI USB to RS232

The ICUSB2328I is an industrial-grade USB-to-serial hub that transforms a single USB port into eight reliable RS-232 serial ports. Designed for rugged environments and demanding deployments, this 8-port USB to RS-232 hub combines a sturdy metal enclosure with flexible mounting options, including top-hat DIN Rail clips and sturdy wall-mount brackets. Powered via USB, it delivers robust performance for monitoring, controlling, and communicating with multiple serial devices from a single computer or embedded system. With COM port retention and the trusted FTDI USB-to-Serial technology, it’s a dependable solution for industrial automation, point-of-sale networks, data acquisition, and lab environments where reliability matters.

• Eight RS-232 serial ports from a single USB connection: The ICUSB2328I expands a single USB port into eight independent RS-232 interfaces, enabling parallel control and data collection from multiple serial devices without sacrificing performance or simplicity.
• Industrial-grade, rugged metal enclosure: Built to withstand challenging environments, this hub’s durable construction keeps your serial communications running smoothly in factories, equipment rooms, and field installations.
• Flexible mounting options for space-efficient deployment: Includes top-hat DIN Rail clips and solid wall-mount brackets, giving you versatile installation choices in control panels, cabinets, or on workbenches.
• COM port retention for stable software mapping: Maintains consistent COM port numbers across reboots and re-plug events, reducing reconfiguration time and avoiding device driver headaches in busy deployments.
• Reliable FTDI USB-to-Serial chipset and broad OS support: The industry-trusted FTDI chipset provides broad driver compatibility and stable serial communication, with drivers available for Windows, Linux, and macOS environments.

Technical Details of StarTech ICUSB2328I

• Product type: Industrial USB to RS-232 eight-port hub
• Ports: 8 RS-232 serial ports (DB9 connectors) routed from a single USB connection
• Interface: USB 2.0 high-speed (backward compatible with USB 1.1); supports standard RS-232 signaling
• Chipset: FTDI USB-to-Serial (reliable FTDI driver support and broad compatibility)
• Power: Bus-powered via USB (no separate power supply required for typical configurations)
• Mobility and mounting: Rugged metal housing with mounting options including wall-mount brackets and top-hat DIN Rail clips for DIN-rail installations
• Port retention: COM port numbers are retained across re-enumeration, simplifying software configuration
• Supported platforms: Drivers available for major operating systems, enabling deployment across Windows, Linux, and macOS environments
• Connection topology: USB host → ICUSB2328I → 8 x RS-232 devices; supports typical serial applications such as sensors, PLCs, serial printers, and data loggers

How to install StarTech ICUSB2328I

• Power down the host system if required by your environment and choose a mounting location that provides adequate clearance for the eight DB9 connectors and the USB cable.
• Mount the ICUSB2328I using the included DIN Rail clips in a control cabinet or on a wall using the brackets. Ensure the unit is secured and does not obstruct other components or ventilation.
• Connect the ICUSB2328I to your computer or embedded system via a USB-A port using a standard USB cable. Use the cable length that fits your installation while keeping the device accessible for maintenance.
• Power on the host system (if needed) and install the FTDI drivers for your operating system. The FTDI drivers enable the USB-to-serial functionality and ensure stable communication with all eight ports.
• Plug your RS-232 devices into the eight DB9 ports on the ICUSB2328I. Verify each device’s baud rate, parity, stop bits, and flow control settings in your software to ensure proper communication.
• Open your application or operating system’s device manager or serial terminal software to observe the eight virtual COM ports presented by the hub. Confirm that each port maps correctly to the corresponding RS-232 device and that data transfer is functioning as expected.
• Leverage COM port retention to maintain consistent port numbers across reboots and USB re-enumeration, minimizing reconfiguration time in production or testing environments.
• Test the setup with representative data flows to verify timing, latency, and reliability across all eight channels. If you encounter issues, recheck cable integrity, baud rates, and driver versions.

Frequently asked questions

• Can I use all eight ports simultaneously? Yes. The ICUSB2328I is designed to support eight independent RS-232 serial ports from a single USB connection, enabling concurrent communication with multiple serial devices.
• Do I need an external power supply? No. The device is powered via USB from the host system in typical configurations, simplifying installation and minimizing cabling complexity.
• Is COM port retention automatic? The device is designed to retain COM port numbers across re-enumeration, making software configuration more predictable and reducing the risk of port conflicts after reboots or reconnects.
• Which operating systems are supported? Drivers are available for major operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and macOS. Check FTDI’s driver pages and StarTech’s resources for the latest compatibility notes and installation guidance.
• What kind of environments is this hub suited for? With an industrial metal enclosure and DIN rail/wall-mount options, it is well-suited for automation panels, data acquisition systems, manufacturing equipment, and lab environments where robust serial connectivity is required.
• Can I daisy-chain other USB devices with this hub? Yes. Since it is a USB 2.0 hub-based solution, you can connect other USB devices to the same host, provided you respect power and bandwidth considerations.
• Are RS-232 ports individually configurable? Each port operates as a standard RS-232 interface. Baud rates and serial settings are configured in your host software per channel to suit each connected device.