[windows] Faking an RS232 Serial Port

I'm developing a project that has a number of hardware sensors connecting to the deployment machine through RS232 serial ports.

But ... I'm developing on a machine without an physical RS232 serial ports, but I would like to make fake serial ports that I can connect to and output data from with the aim of faking input from hardware sensors.

Does anyone know of a way to create a fake serial port and control it on Windows XP?

Another alternative, even though the OP did not ask for it:

There exist usb-to-serial adapters. Depending on the type of adapter, you may also need a nullmodem cable, too.

They are extremely easy to use under linux, work under windows, too, if you have got working drivers installed.

That way you can work directly with the sensors, and you do not have to try and emulate data. That way you are maybe even save from building an anemic system. (Due to your emulated data inputs not covering all cases, leading you to a brittle system.)

Its often better to work with the real stuff.

I know this is an old post, but in case someone else happens upon this question, one good option is Virtual Serial Port Emulator (VSPE) from Eterlogic It provides an API for creating kernel mode virtual comport devices, i.e. connectors, mappers, splitters etc.
However, some of the advertised capabilities were really not capabilities at all.

EDIT
A much better choice, Eltima. This product is fully baked. Good developer tech support. The product did all it claimed to do. Product options include both desktop applications, as well as software development kits with APIs.

Neither of these products are open source, or free. However, as other posts here have pointed out, there are other options. Here is a list of various serial utilities:

com0com (current)
com0com - With Signed Driver (old version)
Yet another place for com0com with Signed Driver (Pete's Blog)
Tactical Software
Termite
COM Port Serial Emulator
Kermit (obsolete, but still downloadable)
HWVSP3
HHD Software (free edition)

There's always the hardware route. Purchase two USB to serial converters, and connect them via a NULL modem.

Pro tips: 1) Windows may assign new COM ports to the adapters after every device sleep or reboot. 2) The market leaders in chips for USB to serial are Prolific and FTDI. Both companies are battling knockoffs, and may be blocked in future official Windows drivers. The Linux drivers however work fine with the clones.

i used eltima make virtual serial port for my modbus application debug work. it is really very good application at development stage to check serial port program without connecting hardware.

I use com0com - With Signed Driver, on windows 7 x64 to emulate COM3 AND COM4 as a pair.

Then i use COM Dataport Emulator to recieve from COM4.

Then i open COM3 with the app im developping (c#) and send data to COM3.

The data sent thru COM3 is received by COM4 and shown by 'COM Dataport Emulator' who can also send back a response (not automated).

So with this 2 great programs i managed to emulate Serial RS-232 comunication.

Hope it helps.

Both programs are free!!!!!