Honeywell (Hand Held Products) Dolphin devices support communications with a PC using the Virtual Serial driver over a USB connection.  This can be used instead of ActiveSync.   The Virtual Serial driver was the default USB communications method for PocketPC 2003 and ActiveSync 3.x, but not for Windows Mobile 5 and higher with ActiveSync 4.x.  It is still possible to use the Virtual Serial driver.  This article describes the setup process.

In all cases, ActiveSync must be installed, even if it is not used.  This is required because the USB virtual drivers are installed as a part of ActiveSync. 

NOTE: ActiveSync is only supported on Windows XP and prior.  Direct USB is not supported on Windows Vista, Server 2008, nor Windows7.  See this Microsoft Knowledge Base article for details:  http://support.microsoft.com/kb/968204

When a PocketPC 2003 device is connected to the PC with USB, the virtual serial driver WCEUSBSH is loaded.  This creates a virtual COM port (usually COM8) on the device, and a virtual com port (usually WCEUSBSH001) on the PC.  This driver emulates a standard serial port.

Under Windows Mobile 5, this method has been deprecated in favor of a virtual network (RNDIS) connection.  You may notice that when the device is first cradled, a network icon appears in the PC notification area as the network connection is established.  This RNDIS connection replaces the Virtual Serial connection.

It is possible to revert to the original Virtual Serial Connection on a Dolphin Windows Mobile 5 or higher device by navigating to Settings, then selecting the Connections tab.  The 'USB to PC' icon controls the mode.  If 'Enable Advanced Network Functionality' is selected, the RNDIS virtual network will be used.  If not, the Virtual Serial port will be used.

Even with Advanced Network Functionality disabled, however, you will not be able to communicate using the Virtual Serial mode if ActiveSync is enabled.  ActiveSync uses this port to communicate with the device.  To disable ActiveSync from connecting, follow these two steps:

1. On the PC, open ActiveSync  and from the File menu select Connection Settings.  Uncheck the box marked 'Allow USB Connections'.
2. On the device, open ActiveSync, click the Menu button and select Connections.  Uncheck the box marked 'Synchronize all PCs using this connection'.

This disables ActiveSync from connecting when the device is cradled.  Now when you connect to the PC via USB, the Virtual Serial connection is established and is available for ITScriptNet to use.

It is also possible to use the RNDIS virtual network for communications without ActiveSync, if desired.  By disabling ActiveSync but leaving Advanced Network Functionality enabled, when the device is cradled the virtual network will be established.  The PC creates a virtual network adapter with an IP Address of 169.254.2.2, and the device gets IP Address 169.254.2.1.  Please note that 'ppp_peer' does not work without ActiveSync connecting.  You can use the ITScriptNet 'RF' communications method and communicate with the PC over USB without ActiveSync connecting.