Hi All
I will be working on  a project to capture serial data from multiple -
different devices via serial ports.   Adding serial port boards to a
PC really can eat up slots and physical space for cabling.   Is there
a device that ... for example....  would be an external box with the
serial port connectors, then that box would have one cable connecting
to a board in the PC such that each device would be connected to it's
own COM port (maybe com1 thru com8)
Thanks
John

In the past I've used an RS232>Ethernet converter box. We had 10 serial
devices distributed around our premises.  I didn't want to connect each
one up to a workstation so, since each box (of the type I used) had two
RS232 ports and one ethernet, I placed five or six boxes around the
building and plugged them into the LAN.

Device1 -RS232-
                Converter A -Ethernet- LAN
Device2 -RS232-

Device3 -RS232-
                Converter B -Ethernet- LAN
Device4 -RS232-
etc.

We then had one workstation tucked away in the server room that
communicated with all 10 devices serial devices. You can just telnet in
from any PC of course and remotely configure the boxes (they're
passworded), change their IP, baud rate etc.

In your circumstances you can just use a router, plug the converters
into that and then the devices into the converter. The neat thing about
this solution is that if you need to change your PC, or have multiple
PCs connecting it doesn't involve swapping out cards.

Here's the converter I used:
http://www.cipherlab.com/product/List.aspx?db=10
I'm not recommending this product specifically - but it worked. Around
$100 each if memory serves. You might be able to pick up one with more
RS232 ports per converter. (I think I saw one with 4...)

HTH

Charing***@att.net wrote:
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On Thu, 02 Feb 2006 15:37:57 GMT, Charing***@att.net wrote:

You could get that effect very inexpensively using a USB hub and a
load of USB <--> RS232 converters - which are very cheap and small.

I did have problems with USB <--> RS232 convertors on fast machines,
when pumping down a load of data, I reckon it was that the CTS signal
was not coming up fast enough
- so it would be wise to test any device you use thoroughly before
committing

not real cheap but solid....

http://www.kontron.com/products/pdproductsubcategory.cfm?keyProductCategory=8&kps=785

<Charing***@att.net> wrote in message
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We have a similar need and use products from Digi
(http://www.digi.com/products/multiportserialcards/index.jsp)
We have several of their 8 and 16 channel RS232 boards and they seem to
work.
They are single PCI boards with (depending on model) a bunch of cables to
seperate sockets or a thick cable to a breakout box.
I have no connection to Digi, but will accept any gratuity they care to
offer :-)

Best Regards
Dave O.

<Charing***@att.net> wrote in message
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There are port expanders.  How well they will work for you depends on more
that we know here.

www.bb-elec.com
www.patton.com

are potential sources (there are others, too -- google will find several).

Dick

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