A console port is a kind of "back door" built into many industrial devices, such as routers, switches, and UPS equipment. Console ports make use of the RS-232 interface to communicate with a PC or laptop, allowing administrators to configure and monitor the device.

The problem with console ports is that RS-232 is only accurate up to a distance of about 15 meters (50 feet), making it impossible to manage devices remotely.

That's where CN2510 comes in. By connecting a device's console port to one of CN2510's RS-232 serial ports, and then connecting CN2510 to an Ethernet LAN, administrators can access and manage devices from a remote location over the network.