# Open/Close Serial Port

**URL:** <https://discourse.nodered.org/t/open-close-serial-port/29052>\
**Category:** General\
**Created:** [27 June 2020 01:03 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/open-close-serial-port/29052 "2020-06-27T01:03:10Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![j\_gord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a9a28c/32.png) [@j\_gord](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/j_gord)\
**Post date:** [27 June 2020 01:03 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/open-close-serial-port/29052/1 "2020-06-27T01:03:10Z")

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Hi all-

I'm wanting to use both node-red and another program to access a serial port, though not simultaneously. I was hoping to set up a dashboard button that I can use to open/close the port, but I'm not seeing a super easy way to do this. Was thinking that I might be able to use an exec node and have windows open a port instance, but this is a bit out of my comfort zone. Has anyone does this successfully, or have any ideas?

TIA!

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**Author:** ![softy2k](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/softy2k/32/23707_2.png) [@softy2k](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/softy2k)\
**Post date:** [27 June 2020 04:59 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/open-close-serial-port/29052/2 "2020-06-27T04:59:20Z")

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Welcome **j\_gord**

You need a Virtual Serial Port Emulator. After testing several programs, I chose to use Eterlogic VSPE.

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**Author:** ![j\_gord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a9a28c/32.png) [@j\_gord](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/j_gord)\
**Post date:** [27 June 2020 18:38 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/open-close-serial-port/29052/3 "2020-06-27T18:38:27Z")

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Super helpful, thank you! Are you using an Exec node to interface with the Eterlogic VSPE, or something other configuration? Thanks!

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**Author:** ![softy2k](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/softy2k/32/23707_2.png) [@softy2k](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/softy2k)\
**Post date:** [27 June 2020 19:45 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/open-close-serial-port/29052/4 "2020-06-27T19:45:54Z")

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Device, Create and select Splitter.  
One serial port to multiple applications.

![Splitter](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/3X/1/b/1b1dbe1cf64d12a23cd447b6cb4feeb48caf25e1.png)

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**Author:** ![j\_gord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a9a28c/32.png) [@j\_gord](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/j_gord)\
**Post date:** [28 June 2020 17:51 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/open-close-serial-port/29052/5 "2020-06-28T17:51:08Z")

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Works perfectly; thank you!

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**Author:** ![system](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/1X/d073cd938eafa2e558d7c2cd59003b3ef4963033.png) [@system](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/system)\
**Post date:** [27 August 2020 17:51 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/open-close-serial-port/29052/6 "2020-08-27T17:51:09Z")

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