- Looking for Ethernet to RS232 terminal server.
- Posted by Richard Yearsley on November 3rd, 2003
Not really broadband related but there seem to be plenty of low level
network types here :-)
Anyway, I'm looking for an RS232 terminal server (Ethernet to RS232 bridge)
to connect an analogue modem up to my home network. I don't really want to
use a PC serial port if I can help it. I've done a bit of scouting around
and the cheapest one I can find is this one
http://www.audon.co.uk/7100.html
Unfortunately the virtual com port software only runs on NT/XP and two of
the PC's are running Win98(unavoidable due to spec). I also found another
one somewhere for £150. The prices all seem a bit on the extortionate side
and I was just wondering if I was missing any obvious alternatives.
Any help is much appreciated.
Richard.
- Posted by Richard Yearsley on November 3rd, 2003
Oops, I probably should have given a few more details in my first post. The
network (3 PC's) is already connected to broadband through a
firewall/router/gateway. The analogue modem is needed mainly for FAX
purposes plus my step-dad needs to be able to connect directly to his main
server at work which isn't on the net. Ideally we want to be able to switch
any single PC on and have FAX/data access via the phone line. We don't
really want to have any of the PC's running continuously due to the
noise/power requirements.
Thanks for answering anyway, further comments would be welcome.
Richard.
- Posted by Lawrence Stromski on November 3rd, 2003
Hi Steve,
That link you pointed out, http://www.itdealers.co.uk/mailshots/ looks quite
good. There prices are right and I'm always in need of cheep PC's to enhance
a falling to bits cluster I have running and more servers.
Can you give me a recommendation on them? Have you used them yourself? (Do
you work for them? :-D )
I know there are a few rotten eggs on the net, but if this one is Cosha, I'd
buy from them.
Thanks!
Regards,
-Lawrence Stromski.
"Steve" <steve@nospam.invalid> wrote in message
news:r7f6ob.5fs.ln@localhost.localdomain...
- Posted by Bob Eager on November 4th, 2003
On Mon, 3 Nov 2003 23:31:11 UTC, "Lawrence Stromski" <a@b.com> wrote:
If you look over in uk.adverts.computer, you will see nothing but praise
for IT Dealers. Simply brilliant...
--
Bob Eager
rde at tavi.co.uk
PC Server 325*4; PS/2s 9585, 8595, 9595*2, 8580*3,
P70...
- Posted by AWM on November 4th, 2003
"Richard Yearsley" <A@nony.mouse.com> wrote in message
news:PfApb.1970$3h5.16333@newsfep4-glfd.server.ntli.net...
Priceless Computing in Glasgow sell the Intellinet Sharing Station for 111
pounds + p&p see http://www.pless.co.uk/acatalog/ples...orking_20.html
however a better soltuion is to aquire a low power consumption fanless PC
to run as server using Lan Suite 602 software (free for up to 5 users) ---
PC wise this really means one that uses a Via Epia micro-itx format
motherboard. see
http://www.kustompcs.co.uk/product.p...1607a629fdd1fc
0c4b736de05c1f2 Maplin sell a suitable PC with such a motherboard as item
number A22BF.
- Posted by Richard Yearsley on November 4th, 2003
Hmmm, that looks promising. They even do a 55W fanless PSU. I'd have to get
the board and see if that was enough power first though. Anyone know if this
motherboard could boot from a USB pendrive or similar flash media device?
(most new boards do). If so I could just slap a bit of ram in it and connect
my old serial modem up. I'm assuming it's PC compatible (never heard of that
CPU) and I could throw DOS/LINUX/Windows on it (?) It would still end up
around the £100 mark but would be much more flexible so what-the-hell :-)
Richard.
- Posted by Stephen Rees on November 5th, 2003
The message <ylypb.1880$3h5.14865@newsfep4-glfd.server.ntli.net>
from "Richard Yearsley" <A@nony.mouse.com> contains these words:
Hi Richard
I'm not sure if it would do what you want but US robotics do a router
with a RS232 port for using a modem:
http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...duct_uid=44088
Its about £45.
Regards
Steve
- Posted by Richard Yearsley on November 5th, 2003
92ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=44088
I'm afraid it's only a backup dial-up port. If the broadband connection
drops it can dial an ISP through a standard serial modem but it doesn't
allow the networked PC's to actually control it in a modem-server
configuration. Thanks anyway though.
It looks like I can use the Epia MoBo with the little 55W fanless supply
from what I've been reading and I'm almost sure it'll boot from a USB flash
dongle (pendrive etc). I'm just not sure which rs232/Ethernet software I
could use.
I'd better keep reading.
Richard.
