Planet BT-520U [134/151] Manually creating a virtual bluetooth com port

5.4 Manually creating a virtual Bluetooth COM port

In order for a PC to connect to and communicate with a Bluetooth device, the

Bluetooth Utility will create a gateway for data to be exchanged between the

respective devices. This gateway is known as a "port" (or "virtual COM port").

Since one virtual COM port will be allocated to each device, trouble-free

communication will still be possible even if several devices are being used.

When you use the Bluetooth Utility, a virtual COM port will be automatically created

on set-up; however, virtual COM ports can be created manually if so needed.

5.4.1 Clients and servers

When Bluetooth communications are performed, there will always be a

"client/server" relationship between the various devices. A "client" is a device that

sends certain requests to another device, while a "server" is a device that provides a

service on receipt of such requests from another device.

For example, when a PC issues a print command to a wireless printer, the PC

functions as the client, while the printer functions as the server.

When a PDA or other device attempts to receive files located on a PC by means of

file transfer protocol, the PC functions as the server, while the PDA functions as the

client.

Virtual Bluetooth COM ports can be created both for clients and servers.

• Bluetooth virtual COM port for a client

Virtual COM port used when your device is the client, and requests are sent

to another device.

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