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.

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.

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