[net.micro.pc] Xenix on PC-AT questions

ir491@sdcc6.UUCP (ir491) (10/11/85)

Two questions re serial ports and communication software
under Xenix on the PC-AT :

1. Is there a multiport board serial RS-232 type board
   available now with software drivers to support /dev/ttynn's
   other than the board made by digigraphics?

2. Is there a smart-terminal type comm program that will allow
   users to access databases on-line via modem and up/download
   files (a la PC-TALK et al).

Thanks for any recommendations.

Harry Bluestein
UCSD Medical Center

uucp: sdcsvax!sdcc6!ir491
arpa: ir491@UCSD

slerner@sesame.UUCP (Simcha-Yitzchak Lerner) (10/13/85)

>
> 
> 1. Is there a multiport board serial RS-232 type board
>    available now with software drivers to support /dev/ttynn's
>    other than the board made by digigraphics?
> 

There are a few boards out there that add 8 or 16 ports to a PC or AT,
*BUT* there is a catch.  The PC only has 2 interrupts available to com (1&2).
Therefore this type of card has to either:
  Have the ports polled for characters
or
  Have the ports share an interrupt vector with the driver checking to see
who is calling.

Regretfully, I don't have any more info on hand.  Any PC rag readers out
there with more info?

-- 
Opinions expressed are public domain, and do not belong to Lotus
Development Corp.
----------------------------------------------------------------

Simcha-Yitzchak Lerner

              {genrad|ihnp4|ima}!wjh12!talcott!sesame!slerner
                      {cbosgd|harvard}!talcott!sesame!slerner
                       talcott!sesame!slerner@harvard.ARPA 

tsp@chinet.UUCP (Tom Poindexter) (10/14/85)

I have been using the ATvantage-X card from Computone.  It is an 8-port
serial board that contains its own processor, to off-load the '286.  I
believe AST has a 4 port board (you can use a total of two) that are
of the non-intelligent variety.  Computone's board is around $1k.  Call
Jack Berlin, product mgr, at 800-241-3946.
 
For comm software on Xenix, I have been using Pro-Yam, from Omen 
Technology, 503-621-3406.  You buy the PC-Dos version, then can 
download the Xenix version from their bbs.  The author, Chuck Forsberg,
can also be reached at ...!tektronix!reed!omen!caf.  I also have info
on a product called MLINK, from Corp. Microsystems, 603-448-5193; I'm
not sure if they have ported to the AT yet.


Tom Poindexter	UUCP: ihnp4!chinet!tsp
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-- 
Tom Poindexter	UUCP: ihnp4!chinet!tsp
		Compuserve: 70040,1223
		Source: STW526
		Dialcom: 44:SFP008