Serial port how to?

I have been googling awhile. I've tried a few different packages on my windows and linux sides. I think I'm just not understanding something.

I got a serial > ethernet cable at my server and it's plugged into the switch. What do I need on the remote end to hit it? I'm thinking some type of client but nothing I try seems to be able to see anything on the lan. Had the idea that I could get a client on my desktops end and it would be able to find a serial port over the lan. So far not working that way.