diff --git a/slsSupportLib/CMakeLists.txt b/slsSupportLib/CMakeLists.txt
index 497c0ae05..98904031e 100755
--- a/slsSupportLib/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/slsSupportLib/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ set(SOURCES
     src/DataSocket.cpp
     src/ServerSocket.cpp
     src/ServerInterface.cpp
+    src/ToString.cpp
     src/network_utils.cpp
     src/ZmqSocket.cpp
 )
diff --git a/slsSupportLib/include/ToString.h b/slsSupportLib/include/ToString.h
index e2ef82421..3e8dc72b8 100644
--- a/slsSupportLib/include/ToString.h
+++ b/slsSupportLib/include/ToString.h
@@ -14,241 +14,29 @@
 #include "string_utils.h"
 #include <chrono>
 #include <iomanip>
+#include <map>
 #include <sstream>
 #include <type_traits>
 #include <vector>
-#include <map>
 
 namespace sls {
 
 using defs = slsDetectorDefs;
+std::string ToString(const defs::runStatus s);
+std::string ToString(const defs::detectorType s);
+std::string ToString(const defs::detectorSettings s);
+std::string ToString(const defs::speedLevel s);
+std::string ToString(const defs::timingMode s);
+std::string ToString(const defs::frameDiscardPolicy s);
+std::string ToString(const defs::fileFormat s);
+std::string ToString(const defs::externalSignalFlag s);
+std::string ToString(const defs::readoutMode s);
+std::string ToString(const defs::frameModeType s);
+std::string ToString(const defs::detectorModeType s);
+std::string ToString(const defs::burstMode s);
+std::string ToString(const defs::timingSourceType s);
 
-inline std::string ToString(const defs::runStatus s) {
-    switch (s) {
-    case defs::ERROR:
-        return std::string("error");
-    case defs::WAITING:
-        return std::string("waiting");
-    case defs::RUNNING:
-        return std::string("running");
-    case defs::TRANSMITTING:
-        return std::string("data");
-    case defs::RUN_FINISHED:
-        return std::string("finished");
-    case defs::STOPPED:
-        return std::string("stopped");
-    default:
-        return std::string("idle");
-    }
-}
-
-inline std::string ToString(const defs::detectorType s) {
-    switch (s) {
-    case defs::EIGER:
-        return std::string("Eiger");
-    case defs::GOTTHARD:
-        return std::string("Gotthard");
-    case defs::JUNGFRAU:
-        return std::string("Jungfrau");
-    case defs::CHIPTESTBOARD:
-        return std::string("ChipTestBoard");
-    case defs::MOENCH:
-        return std::string("Moench");
-    case defs::MYTHEN3:
-        return std::string("Mythen3");
-    case defs::GOTTHARD2:
-        return std::string("Gotthard2");
-    default:
-        return std::string("Unknown");
-    }
-}
-
-inline std::string ToString(const defs::detectorSettings s) {
-    switch (s) {
-    case defs::STANDARD:
-        return std::string("standard");
-    case defs::FAST:
-        return std::string("fast");
-    case defs::HIGHGAIN:
-        return std::string("highgain");
-    case defs::DYNAMICGAIN:
-        return std::string("dynamicgain");
-    case defs::LOWGAIN:
-        return std::string("lowgain");
-    case defs::MEDIUMGAIN:
-        return std::string("mediumgain");
-    case defs::VERYHIGHGAIN:
-        return std::string("veryhighgain");
-    case defs::DYNAMICHG0:
-        return std::string("dynamichg0");
-    case defs::FIXGAIN1:
-        return std::string("fixgain1");
-    case defs::FIXGAIN2:
-        return std::string("fixgain2");
-    case defs::FORCESWITCHG1:
-        return std::string("forceswitchg1");
-    case defs::FORCESWITCHG2:
-        return std::string("forceswitchg2");
-    case defs::VERYLOWGAIN:
-        return std::string("verylowgain");
-    case defs::G1_HIGHGAIN:
-        return std::string("g1_hg");
-    case defs::G1_LOWGAIN:
-        return std::string("g1_lg");
-    case defs::G2_HIGHCAP_HIGHGAIN:
-        return std::string("g2_hc_hg");
-    case defs::G2_HIGHCAP_LOWGAIN:
-        return std::string("g2_hc_lg");
-    case defs::G2_LOWCAP_HIGHGAIN:
-        return std::string("g2_lc_hg");
-    case defs::G2_LOWCAP_LOWGAIN:
-        return std::string("g2_lc_lg");
-    case defs::G4_HIGHGAIN:
-        return std::string("g4_hg");
-    case defs::G4_LOWGAIN:
-        return std::string("g4_lg");
-    case defs::UNDEFINED:
-        return std::string("undefined");
-    case defs::UNINITIALIZED:
-        return std::string("uninitialized");
-    default:
-        return std::string("Unknown");
-    }
-}
-
-inline std::string ToString(const defs::speedLevel s) {
-    switch (s) {
-    case defs::FULL_SPEED:
-        return std::string("full_speed");
-    case defs::HALF_SPEED:
-        return std::string("half_speed");
-    case defs::QUARTER_SPEED:
-        return std::string("quarter_speed");
-    default:
-        return std::string("Unknown");
-    }
-}
-
-inline std::string ToString(const defs::timingMode s) {
-    switch (s) {
-    case defs::AUTO_TIMING:
-        return std::string("auto");
-    case defs::TRIGGER_EXPOSURE:
-        return std::string("trigger");
-    case defs::GATED:
-        return std::string("gating");
-    case defs::BURST_TRIGGER:
-        return std::string("burst_trigger");
-    default:
-        return std::string("Unknown");
-    }
-}
-
-inline std::string ToString(const defs::frameDiscardPolicy s) {
-    switch (s) {
-    case defs::NO_DISCARD:
-        return std::string("nodiscard");
-    case defs::DISCARD_EMPTY_FRAMES:
-        return std::string("discardempty");
-    case defs::DISCARD_PARTIAL_FRAMES:
-        return std::string("discardpartial");
-    default:
-        return std::string("Unknown");
-    }
-}
-
-inline std::string ToString(const defs::fileFormat s) {
-    switch (s) {
-    case defs::HDF5:
-        return std::string("hdf5");
-    case defs::BINARY:
-        return std::string("binary");
-    default:
-        return std::string("Unknown");
-    }
-}
-
-inline std::string ToString(const defs::externalSignalFlag s) {
-    switch (s) {
-    case defs::TRIGGER_IN_RISING_EDGE:
-        return std::string("trigger_in_rising_edge");
-    case defs::TRIGGER_IN_FALLING_EDGE:
-        return std::string("trigger_in_falling_edge");
-    default:
-        return std::string("Unknown");
-    }
-}
-
-inline std::string ToString(const defs::readoutMode s) {
-    switch (s) {
-    case defs::ANALOG_ONLY:
-        return std::string("analog");
-    case defs::DIGITAL_ONLY:
-        return std::string("digital");
-    case defs::ANALOG_AND_DIGITAL:
-        return std::string("analog_digital");
-    default:
-        return std::string("Unknown");
-    }
-}
-
-inline std::string ToString(const defs::frameModeType s) {
-    switch (s) {
-    case defs::PEDESTAL:
-        return std::string("pedestal");
-    case defs::NEW_PEDESTAL:
-        return std::string("newpedestal");
-    case defs::FLATFIELD:
-        return std::string("flatfield");
-    case defs::NEW_FLATFIELD:
-        return std::string("newflatfield");
-    default:
-        return std::string("Unknown");
-    }
-}
-
-inline std::string ToString(const defs::detectorModeType s) {
-    switch (s) {
-    case defs::COUNTING:
-        return std::string("counting");
-    case defs::INTERPOLATING:
-        return std::string("interpolating");
-    case defs::ANALOG:
-        return std::string("analog");
-    default:
-        return std::string("Unknown");
-    }
-}
-
-inline std::string ToString(const defs::burstMode s) {
-    switch (s) {
-    case defs::BURST_OFF:
-        return std::string("off");
-    case defs::BURST_INTERNAL:
-        return std::string("internal");
-    case defs::BURST_EXTERNAL:
-        return std::string("external");
-    default:
-        return std::string("Unknown");
-    }
-}
-
-inline std::string ToString(const defs::timingSourceType s) {
-    switch (s) {
-    case defs::TIMING_INTERNAL:
-        return std::string("internal");
-    case defs::TIMING_EXTERNAL:
-        return std::string("external");
-    default:
-        return std::string("Unknown");
-    }
-}
-
-// in case we already have a string
-// causes a copy but might be needed in generic code
-inline std::string ToString(const std::string &s) { return s; }
-
-// inline const std::string& ToString(const std::string &s) { return s; }
+const std::string &ToString(const std::string &s);
 
 /** Convert std::chrono::duration with specified output unit */
 template <typename T, typename Rep = double>
@@ -336,7 +124,7 @@ ToStringHex(const T &container) {
 }
 
 template <typename KeyType, typename ValueType>
-std::string ToString(const std::map<KeyType, ValueType>& m) {
+std::string ToString(const std::map<KeyType, ValueType> &m) {
     std::ostringstream os;
     os << '{';
     if (!m.empty()) {
@@ -344,7 +132,7 @@ std::string ToString(const std::map<KeyType, ValueType>& m) {
         os << ToString(it->first) << ": " << ToString(it->second);
         it++;
         while (it != m.cend()) {
-            os << ", "<< ToString(it->first) << ": " << ToString(it->second);
+            os << ", " << ToString(it->first) << ": " << ToString(it->second);
             it++;
         }
     }
@@ -397,8 +185,6 @@ ToString(const T &vec) {
     return os.str();
 }
 
-
-
 /** Container and specified unit, call ToString(value, unit) */
 template <typename T>
 typename std::enable_if<is_container<T>::value, std::string>::type
@@ -415,8 +201,6 @@ ToString(const T &container, const std::string &unit) {
     return os.str();
 }
 
-
-
 template <typename T>
 T StringTo(const std::string &t, const std::string &unit) {
     double tval{0};
@@ -448,211 +232,24 @@ template <typename T> T StringTo(const std::string &t) {
     return StringTo<T>(tmp, unit);
 }
 
-template <> inline defs::detectorType StringTo(const std::string &s) {
-    if (s == "Eiger")
-        return defs::EIGER;
-    if (s == "Gotthard")
-        return defs::GOTTHARD;
-    if (s == "Jungfrau")
-        return defs::JUNGFRAU;
-    if (s == "ChipTestBoard")
-        return defs::CHIPTESTBOARD;
-    if (s == "Moench")
-        return defs::MOENCH;
-    if (s == "Mythen3")
-        return defs::MYTHEN3;
-    if (s == "Gotthard2")
-        return defs::GOTTHARD2;
-    throw sls::RuntimeError("Unknown detector type " + s);
-}
+template <> defs::detectorType StringTo(const std::string &s);
+template <> defs::detectorSettings StringTo(const std::string &s);
+template <> defs::speedLevel StringTo(const std::string &s);
+template <> defs::timingMode StringTo(const std::string &s);
+template <> defs::frameDiscardPolicy StringTo(const std::string &s);
+template <> defs::fileFormat StringTo(const std::string &s);
+template <> defs::externalSignalFlag StringTo(const std::string &s);
+template <> defs::readoutMode StringTo(const std::string &s);
+template <> defs::frameModeType StringTo(const std::string &s);
+template <> defs::detectorModeType StringTo(const std::string &s);
+template <> defs::dacIndex StringTo(const std::string &s);
+template <> defs::burstMode StringTo(const std::string &s);
+template <> defs::timingSourceType StringTo(const std::string &s);
 
-template <> inline defs::detectorSettings StringTo(const std::string &s) {
-    if (s == "standard")
-        return defs::STANDARD;
-    if (s == "fast")
-        return defs::FAST;
-    if (s == "highgain")
-        return defs::HIGHGAIN;
-    if (s == "dynamicgain")
-        return defs::DYNAMICGAIN;
-    if (s == "lowgain")
-        return defs::LOWGAIN;
-    if (s == "mediumgain")
-        return defs::MEDIUMGAIN;
-    if (s == "veryhighgain")
-        return defs::VERYHIGHGAIN;
-    if (s == "dynamichg0")
-        return defs::DYNAMICHG0;
-    if (s == "fixgain1")
-        return defs::FIXGAIN1;
-    if (s == "fixgain2")
-        return defs::FIXGAIN2;
-    if (s == "forceswitchg1")
-        return defs::FORCESWITCHG1;
-    if (s == "forceswitchg2")
-        return defs::FORCESWITCHG2;
-    if (s == "verylowgain")
-        return defs::VERYLOWGAIN;
-    if (s == "g1_hg")
-        return defs::G1_HIGHGAIN;
-    if (s == "g1_lg")
-        return defs::G1_LOWGAIN;
-    if (s == "g2_hc_hg")
-        return defs::G2_HIGHCAP_HIGHGAIN;
-    if (s == "g2_hc_lg")
-        return defs::G2_HIGHCAP_LOWGAIN;
-    if (s == "g2_lc_hg")
-        return defs::G2_LOWCAP_HIGHGAIN;
-    if (s == "g2_lc_lg")
-        return defs::G2_LOWCAP_LOWGAIN;
-    if (s == "g4_hg")
-        return defs::G4_HIGHGAIN;
-    if (s == "g4_lg")
-        return defs::G4_LOWGAIN;
-    throw sls::RuntimeError("Unknown setting " + s);
-}
-
-template <> inline defs::speedLevel StringTo(const std::string &s) {
-    if (s == "full_speed")
-        return defs::FULL_SPEED;
-    if (s == "half_speed")
-        return defs::HALF_SPEED;
-    if (s == "quarter_speed")
-        return defs::QUARTER_SPEED;
-    throw sls::RuntimeError("Unknown speed " + s);
-}
-
-template <> inline defs::timingMode StringTo(const std::string &s) {
-    if (s == "auto")
-        return defs::AUTO_TIMING;
-    if (s == "trigger")
-        return defs::TRIGGER_EXPOSURE;
-    if (s == "gating")
-        return defs::GATED;
-    if (s == "burst_trigger")
-        return defs::BURST_TRIGGER;
-    throw sls::RuntimeError("Unknown timing mode " + s);
-}
-
-template <> inline defs::frameDiscardPolicy StringTo(const std::string &s) {
-    if (s == "nodiscard")
-        return defs::NO_DISCARD;
-    if (s == "discardempty")
-        return defs::DISCARD_EMPTY_FRAMES;
-    if (s == "discardpartial")
-        return defs::DISCARD_PARTIAL_FRAMES;
-    throw sls::RuntimeError("Unknown frame discard policy " + s);
-}
-
-template <> inline defs::fileFormat StringTo(const std::string &s) {
-    if (s == "hdf5")
-        return defs::HDF5;
-    if (s == "binary")
-        return defs::BINARY;
-    throw sls::RuntimeError("Unknown file format " + s);
-}
-
-template <> inline defs::externalSignalFlag StringTo(const std::string &s) {
-    if (s == "trigger_in_rising_edge")
-        return defs::TRIGGER_IN_RISING_EDGE;
-    if (s == "trigger_in_falling_edge")
-        return defs::TRIGGER_IN_FALLING_EDGE;
-    throw sls::RuntimeError("Unknown external signal flag " + s);
-}
-
-template <> inline defs::readoutMode StringTo(const std::string &s) {
-    if (s == "analog")
-        return defs::ANALOG_ONLY;
-    if (s == "digital")
-        return defs::DIGITAL_ONLY;
-    if (s == "analog_digital")
-        return defs::ANALOG_AND_DIGITAL;
-    throw sls::RuntimeError("Unknown readout mode " + s);
-}
-
-template <> inline defs::frameModeType StringTo(const std::string &s) {
-    if (s == "pedestal")
-        return defs::PEDESTAL;
-    if (s == "newpedestal")
-        return defs::NEW_PEDESTAL;
-    if (s == "flatfield")
-        return defs::FLATFIELD;
-    if (s == "newflatfield")
-        return defs::NEW_FLATFIELD;
-    throw sls::RuntimeError("Unknown frame mode " + s);
-}
-
-template <> inline defs::detectorModeType StringTo(const std::string &s) {
-    if (s == "counting")
-        return defs::COUNTING;
-    if (s == "interpolating")
-        return defs::INTERPOLATING;
-    if (s == "analog")
-        return defs::ANALOG;
-    throw sls::RuntimeError("Unknown detector mode " + s);
-}
-
-template <> inline defs::dacIndex StringTo(const std::string &s) {
-    if (s == "vcmp_ll")
-        return defs::VCMP_LL;
-    if (s == "vcmp_lr")
-        return defs::VCMP_LR;
-    if (s == "vcmp_rl")
-        return defs::VCMP_RL;
-    if (s == "vcmp_rr")
-        return defs::VCMP_RR;
-    if (s == "vthreshold")
-        return defs::THRESHOLD;
-    if (s == "vrf")
-        return defs::VRF;
-    if (s == "vrs")
-        return defs::VRS;
-    if (s == "vtr")
-        return defs::VTR;
-    if (s == "vcall")
-        return defs::CAL;
-    if (s == "vcp")
-        return defs::VCP;
-    throw sls::RuntimeError("Unknown dac Index " + s);
-}
-
-template <> inline defs::burstMode StringTo(const std::string &s) {
-    if (s == "off")
-        return defs::BURST_OFF;
-    if (s == "internal")
-        return defs::BURST_INTERNAL;
-    if (s == "external")
-        return defs::BURST_EXTERNAL;
-    throw sls::RuntimeError("Unknown burst mode " + s);
-}
-
-template <> inline defs::timingSourceType StringTo(const std::string &s) {
-    if (s == "internal")
-        return defs::TIMING_INTERNAL;
-    if (s == "external")
-        return defs::TIMING_EXTERNAL;
-    throw sls::RuntimeError("Unknown timing source type " + s);
-}
-
-template <> inline uint32_t StringTo(const std::string &s) {
-    int base = s.find("0x") != std::string::npos ? 16 : 10;
-    return std::stoul(s, nullptr, base);
-}
-
-template <> inline uint64_t StringTo(const std::string &s) {
-    int base = s.find("0x") != std::string::npos ? 16 : 10;
-    return std::stoull(s, nullptr, base);
-}
-
-template <> inline int StringTo(const std::string &s) {
-    int base = s.find("0x") != std::string::npos ? 16 : 10;
-    return std::stoi(s, nullptr, base);
-}
-
-template <> inline int64_t StringTo(const std::string &s) {
-    int base = s.find("0x") != std::string::npos ? 16 : 10;
-    return std::stol(s, nullptr, base);
-}
+template <> uint32_t StringTo(const std::string &s);
+template <> uint64_t StringTo(const std::string &s);
+template <> int StringTo(const std::string &s);
+template <> int64_t StringTo(const std::string &s);
 
 /** For types with a .str() method use this for conversion */
 template <typename T>
diff --git a/slsSupportLib/src/ToString.cpp b/slsSupportLib/src/ToString.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..deb336d16
--- /dev/null
+++ b/slsSupportLib/src/ToString.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,435 @@
+#include "ToString.h"
+
+namespace sls {
+
+std::string ToString(const defs::runStatus s) {
+    switch (s) {
+    case defs::ERROR:
+        return std::string("error");
+    case defs::WAITING:
+        return std::string("waiting");
+    case defs::RUNNING:
+        return std::string("running");
+    case defs::TRANSMITTING:
+        return std::string("data");
+    case defs::RUN_FINISHED:
+        return std::string("finished");
+    case defs::STOPPED:
+        return std::string("stopped");
+    default:
+        return std::string("idle");
+    }
+}
+
+std::string ToString(const defs::detectorType s) {
+    switch (s) {
+    case defs::EIGER:
+        return std::string("Eiger");
+    case defs::GOTTHARD:
+        return std::string("Gotthard");
+    case defs::JUNGFRAU:
+        return std::string("Jungfrau");
+    case defs::CHIPTESTBOARD:
+        return std::string("ChipTestBoard");
+    case defs::MOENCH:
+        return std::string("Moench");
+    case defs::MYTHEN3:
+        return std::string("Mythen3");
+    case defs::GOTTHARD2:
+        return std::string("Gotthard2");
+    default:
+        return std::string("Unknown");
+    }
+}
+
+std::string ToString(const defs::detectorSettings s) {
+    switch (s) {
+    case defs::STANDARD:
+        return std::string("standard");
+    case defs::FAST:
+        return std::string("fast");
+    case defs::HIGHGAIN:
+        return std::string("highgain");
+    case defs::DYNAMICGAIN:
+        return std::string("dynamicgain");
+    case defs::LOWGAIN:
+        return std::string("lowgain");
+    case defs::MEDIUMGAIN:
+        return std::string("mediumgain");
+    case defs::VERYHIGHGAIN:
+        return std::string("veryhighgain");
+    case defs::DYNAMICHG0:
+        return std::string("dynamichg0");
+    case defs::FIXGAIN1:
+        return std::string("fixgain1");
+    case defs::FIXGAIN2:
+        return std::string("fixgain2");
+    case defs::FORCESWITCHG1:
+        return std::string("forceswitchg1");
+    case defs::FORCESWITCHG2:
+        return std::string("forceswitchg2");
+    case defs::VERYLOWGAIN:
+        return std::string("verylowgain");
+    case defs::G1_HIGHGAIN:
+        return std::string("g1_hg");
+    case defs::G1_LOWGAIN:
+        return std::string("g1_lg");
+    case defs::G2_HIGHCAP_HIGHGAIN:
+        return std::string("g2_hc_hg");
+    case defs::G2_HIGHCAP_LOWGAIN:
+        return std::string("g2_hc_lg");
+    case defs::G2_LOWCAP_HIGHGAIN:
+        return std::string("g2_lc_hg");
+    case defs::G2_LOWCAP_LOWGAIN:
+        return std::string("g2_lc_lg");
+    case defs::G4_HIGHGAIN:
+        return std::string("g4_hg");
+    case defs::G4_LOWGAIN:
+        return std::string("g4_lg");
+    case defs::UNDEFINED:
+        return std::string("undefined");
+    case defs::UNINITIALIZED:
+        return std::string("uninitialized");
+    default:
+        return std::string("Unknown");
+    }
+}
+
+std::string ToString(const defs::speedLevel s) {
+    switch (s) {
+    case defs::FULL_SPEED:
+        return std::string("full_speed");
+    case defs::HALF_SPEED:
+        return std::string("half_speed");
+    case defs::QUARTER_SPEED:
+        return std::string("quarter_speed");
+    default:
+        return std::string("Unknown");
+    }
+}
+
+std::string ToString(const defs::timingMode s) {
+    switch (s) {
+    case defs::AUTO_TIMING:
+        return std::string("auto");
+    case defs::TRIGGER_EXPOSURE:
+        return std::string("trigger");
+    case defs::GATED:
+        return std::string("gating");
+    case defs::BURST_TRIGGER:
+        return std::string("burst_trigger");
+    default:
+        return std::string("Unknown");
+    }
+}
+
+std::string ToString(const defs::frameDiscardPolicy s) {
+    switch (s) {
+    case defs::NO_DISCARD:
+        return std::string("nodiscard");
+    case defs::DISCARD_EMPTY_FRAMES:
+        return std::string("discardempty");
+    case defs::DISCARD_PARTIAL_FRAMES:
+        return std::string("discardpartial");
+    default:
+        return std::string("Unknown");
+    }
+}
+
+std::string ToString(const defs::fileFormat s) {
+    switch (s) {
+    case defs::HDF5:
+        return std::string("hdf5");
+    case defs::BINARY:
+        return std::string("binary");
+    default:
+        return std::string("Unknown");
+    }
+}
+
+std::string ToString(const defs::externalSignalFlag s) {
+    switch (s) {
+    case defs::TRIGGER_IN_RISING_EDGE:
+        return std::string("trigger_in_rising_edge");
+    case defs::TRIGGER_IN_FALLING_EDGE:
+        return std::string("trigger_in_falling_edge");
+    default:
+        return std::string("Unknown");
+    }
+}
+
+std::string ToString(const defs::readoutMode s) {
+    switch (s) {
+    case defs::ANALOG_ONLY:
+        return std::string("analog");
+    case defs::DIGITAL_ONLY:
+        return std::string("digital");
+    case defs::ANALOG_AND_DIGITAL:
+        return std::string("analog_digital");
+    default:
+        return std::string("Unknown");
+    }
+}
+
+std::string ToString(const defs::frameModeType s) {
+    switch (s) {
+    case defs::PEDESTAL:
+        return std::string("pedestal");
+    case defs::NEW_PEDESTAL:
+        return std::string("newpedestal");
+    case defs::FLATFIELD:
+        return std::string("flatfield");
+    case defs::NEW_FLATFIELD:
+        return std::string("newflatfield");
+    default:
+        return std::string("Unknown");
+    }
+}
+
+std::string ToString(const defs::detectorModeType s) {
+    switch (s) {
+    case defs::COUNTING:
+        return std::string("counting");
+    case defs::INTERPOLATING:
+        return std::string("interpolating");
+    case defs::ANALOG:
+        return std::string("analog");
+    default:
+        return std::string("Unknown");
+    }
+}
+
+std::string ToString(const defs::burstMode s) {
+    switch (s) {
+    case defs::BURST_OFF:
+        return std::string("off");
+    case defs::BURST_INTERNAL:
+        return std::string("internal");
+    case defs::BURST_EXTERNAL:
+        return std::string("external");
+    default:
+        return std::string("Unknown");
+    }
+}
+
+std::string ToString(const defs::timingSourceType s) {
+    switch (s) {
+    case defs::TIMING_INTERNAL:
+        return std::string("internal");
+    case defs::TIMING_EXTERNAL:
+        return std::string("external");
+    default:
+        return std::string("Unknown");
+    }
+}
+
+const std::string &ToString(const std::string &s) { return s; }
+
+template <> defs::detectorType StringTo(const std::string &s) {
+    if (s == "Eiger")
+        return defs::EIGER;
+    if (s == "Gotthard")
+        return defs::GOTTHARD;
+    if (s == "Jungfrau")
+        return defs::JUNGFRAU;
+    if (s == "ChipTestBoard")
+        return defs::CHIPTESTBOARD;
+    if (s == "Moench")
+        return defs::MOENCH;
+    if (s == "Mythen3")
+        return defs::MYTHEN3;
+    if (s == "Gotthard2")
+        return defs::GOTTHARD2;
+    throw sls::RuntimeError("Unknown detector type " + s);
+}
+
+template <> defs::detectorSettings StringTo(const std::string &s) {
+    if (s == "standard")
+        return defs::STANDARD;
+    if (s == "fast")
+        return defs::FAST;
+    if (s == "highgain")
+        return defs::HIGHGAIN;
+    if (s == "dynamicgain")
+        return defs::DYNAMICGAIN;
+    if (s == "lowgain")
+        return defs::LOWGAIN;
+    if (s == "mediumgain")
+        return defs::MEDIUMGAIN;
+    if (s == "veryhighgain")
+        return defs::VERYHIGHGAIN;
+    if (s == "dynamichg0")
+        return defs::DYNAMICHG0;
+    if (s == "fixgain1")
+        return defs::FIXGAIN1;
+    if (s == "fixgain2")
+        return defs::FIXGAIN2;
+    if (s == "forceswitchg1")
+        return defs::FORCESWITCHG1;
+    if (s == "forceswitchg2")
+        return defs::FORCESWITCHG2;
+    if (s == "verylowgain")
+        return defs::VERYLOWGAIN;
+    if (s == "g1_hg")
+        return defs::G1_HIGHGAIN;
+    if (s == "g1_lg")
+        return defs::G1_LOWGAIN;
+    if (s == "g2_hc_hg")
+        return defs::G2_HIGHCAP_HIGHGAIN;
+    if (s == "g2_hc_lg")
+        return defs::G2_HIGHCAP_LOWGAIN;
+    if (s == "g2_lc_hg")
+        return defs::G2_LOWCAP_HIGHGAIN;
+    if (s == "g2_lc_lg")
+        return defs::G2_LOWCAP_LOWGAIN;
+    if (s == "g4_hg")
+        return defs::G4_HIGHGAIN;
+    if (s == "g4_lg")
+        return defs::G4_LOWGAIN;
+    throw sls::RuntimeError("Unknown setting " + s);
+}
+
+template <> defs::speedLevel StringTo(const std::string &s) {
+    if (s == "full_speed")
+        return defs::FULL_SPEED;
+    if (s == "half_speed")
+        return defs::HALF_SPEED;
+    if (s == "quarter_speed")
+        return defs::QUARTER_SPEED;
+    throw sls::RuntimeError("Unknown speed " + s);
+}
+
+template <> defs::timingMode StringTo(const std::string &s) {
+    if (s == "auto")
+        return defs::AUTO_TIMING;
+    if (s == "trigger")
+        return defs::TRIGGER_EXPOSURE;
+    if (s == "gating")
+        return defs::GATED;
+    if (s == "burst_trigger")
+        return defs::BURST_TRIGGER;
+    throw sls::RuntimeError("Unknown timing mode " + s);
+}
+
+template <> defs::frameDiscardPolicy StringTo(const std::string &s) {
+    if (s == "nodiscard")
+        return defs::NO_DISCARD;
+    if (s == "discardempty")
+        return defs::DISCARD_EMPTY_FRAMES;
+    if (s == "discardpartial")
+        return defs::DISCARD_PARTIAL_FRAMES;
+    throw sls::RuntimeError("Unknown frame discard policy " + s);
+}
+
+template <> defs::fileFormat StringTo(const std::string &s) {
+    if (s == "hdf5")
+        return defs::HDF5;
+    if (s == "binary")
+        return defs::BINARY;
+    throw sls::RuntimeError("Unknown file format " + s);
+}
+
+template <> defs::externalSignalFlag StringTo(const std::string &s) {
+    if (s == "trigger_in_rising_edge")
+        return defs::TRIGGER_IN_RISING_EDGE;
+    if (s == "trigger_in_falling_edge")
+        return defs::TRIGGER_IN_FALLING_EDGE;
+    throw sls::RuntimeError("Unknown external signal flag " + s);
+}
+
+template <> defs::readoutMode StringTo(const std::string &s) {
+    if (s == "analog")
+        return defs::ANALOG_ONLY;
+    if (s == "digital")
+        return defs::DIGITAL_ONLY;
+    if (s == "analog_digital")
+        return defs::ANALOG_AND_DIGITAL;
+    throw sls::RuntimeError("Unknown readout mode " + s);
+}
+
+template <> defs::frameModeType StringTo(const std::string &s) {
+    if (s == "pedestal")
+        return defs::PEDESTAL;
+    if (s == "newpedestal")
+        return defs::NEW_PEDESTAL;
+    if (s == "flatfield")
+        return defs::FLATFIELD;
+    if (s == "newflatfield")
+        return defs::NEW_FLATFIELD;
+    throw sls::RuntimeError("Unknown frame mode " + s);
+}
+
+template <> defs::detectorModeType StringTo(const std::string &s) {
+    if (s == "counting")
+        return defs::COUNTING;
+    if (s == "interpolating")
+        return defs::INTERPOLATING;
+    if (s == "analog")
+        return defs::ANALOG;
+    throw sls::RuntimeError("Unknown detector mode " + s);
+}
+
+template <> defs::dacIndex StringTo(const std::string &s) {
+    if (s == "vcmp_ll")
+        return defs::VCMP_LL;
+    if (s == "vcmp_lr")
+        return defs::VCMP_LR;
+    if (s == "vcmp_rl")
+        return defs::VCMP_RL;
+    if (s == "vcmp_rr")
+        return defs::VCMP_RR;
+    if (s == "vthreshold")
+        return defs::THRESHOLD;
+    if (s == "vrf")
+        return defs::VRF;
+    if (s == "vrs")
+        return defs::VRS;
+    if (s == "vtr")
+        return defs::VTR;
+    if (s == "vcall")
+        return defs::CAL;
+    if (s == "vcp")
+        return defs::VCP;
+    throw sls::RuntimeError("Unknown dac Index " + s);
+}
+
+template <> defs::burstMode StringTo(const std::string &s) {
+    if (s == "off")
+        return defs::BURST_OFF;
+    if (s == "internal")
+        return defs::BURST_INTERNAL;
+    if (s == "external")
+        return defs::BURST_EXTERNAL;
+    throw sls::RuntimeError("Unknown burst mode " + s);
+}
+
+
+template <> defs::timingSourceType StringTo(const std::string &s) {
+    if (s == "internal")
+        return defs::TIMING_INTERNAL;
+    if (s == "external")
+        return defs::TIMING_EXTERNAL;
+    throw sls::RuntimeError("Unknown timing source type " + s);
+}
+
+template <> uint32_t StringTo(const std::string &s) {
+    int base = s.find("0x") != std::string::npos ? 16 : 10;
+    return std::stoul(s, nullptr, base);
+}
+
+template <> uint64_t StringTo(const std::string &s) {
+    int base = s.find("0x") != std::string::npos ? 16 : 10;
+    return std::stoull(s, nullptr, base);
+}
+
+template <> int StringTo(const std::string &s) {
+    int base = s.find("0x") != std::string::npos ? 16 : 10;
+    return std::stoi(s, nullptr, base);
+}
+
+template <> int64_t StringTo(const std::string &s) {
+    int base = s.find("0x") != std::string::npos ? 16 : 10;
+    return std::stol(s, nullptr, base);
+}
+
+} // namespace sls
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/slsSupportLib/tests/test-ToString.cpp b/slsSupportLib/tests/test-ToString.cpp
index 3034d0005..7fc6b4bcc 100644
--- a/slsSupportLib/tests/test-ToString.cpp
+++ b/slsSupportLib/tests/test-ToString.cpp
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@
 // using namespace sls;
 using sls::StringTo;
 using sls::ToString;
+using sls::defs;
 using namespace sls::time;
 
 TEST_CASE("Integer conversions", "[support]") {
@@ -221,4 +222,10 @@ TEST_CASE("std::map of ints"){
     m[372] = 999;
     REQUIRE(ToString(m) == "{5: 10, 372: 999, 500: 50}");
 
+}
+
+TEST_CASE("Detector type"){
+    auto dt = defs::detectorType::EIGER;
+    REQUIRE(ToString(dt) == "Eiger");
+    REQUIRE(StringTo<defs::detectorType>("Eiger") == dt);
 }
\ No newline at end of file