[comp.unix.xenix] Multiport Boards

danielw@killer.UUCP (Daniel Wynalda) (04/21/88)

I just ordered SCO Xenix 386 for a new SCO Xenix system I am setting up.  
I am seriously considering buying a Mylex 386 Motherboard and basing a system
around that.  It runs at 20mhz and 0 wait states.  

I need to purchase 2 8 port smart I/O cards for an AT style bus to run this
system with.  Can someone please mail me your responses as to which boards 
you use/recommend and do not recommend.  I am familiar with the 2 Computone
ATvantage X boards I now have and like them.  However if there are faster
or better boards I am VERY interested.   I would like to keep total cost
under $2000 for these 2 boards, although it is not a requirement.


The ability to transparent print is also nice, but not a necessity.  I am
more interested that it run at 20 mhz on the 386 system.

Speed is my biggest concern.  I really need intelligent boards as they are
to be used.

Thank you.


			
-- 

	Daniel Wynalda
ihnp4!killer!wynalda!danielw

larry@nstar.UUCP (Larry Snyder) (09/18/89)

I need multiple serial ports to support multiple high speed modems
doing bi-directional communications.   The stock driver (for standard
non-smart serial ports) works perfect under SCO.
I need suggestions as to which multiport boards really do work 
supporting bi-directional communications.   Computone boards don't 
work correctly - Digiboard dumb boards appear to work fine - but
I have a feeling that in my application I need the speed of smart
ports - but then that means using a third party driver.    

-- 
Larry Snyder                                              SCO Xenix 2.3.2 '386
uucp: iuvax!ndcheg!ndmath!nstar!larry 
The Northern Star Usenet Distribution Site                    HST / PEP / V.22
Notre Dame, Indiana USA                            Home of the fighting Irish!

root@nebulus (Dennis S. Breckenridge) (09/21/89)

larry@nstar.UUCP (Larry Snyder) writes:

>I need multiple serial ports to support multiple high speed modems
>doing bi-directional communications.   The stock driver (for standard
>non-smart serial ports) works perfect under SCO.
>I need suggestions as to which multiport boards really do work 
>supporting bi-directional communications.   Computone boards don't 
>work correctly - Digiboard dumb boards appear to work fine - but
>I have a feeling that in my application I need the speed of smart
>ports - but then that means using a third party driver.    

 I use Consensys Powerports up here. I have tested many ports cards
 and have found the Powerports to be the most reliable. It supports
 bi-directional hardware  flow control that does not "skid" . It has 
 other features like powerview (multiple login sessions on one dumb
 terminal (not 'X' or layers(1) )) and transparent printing. It does
 not eat an interrupt and fits either into the DOS ram space or out
 in REAL memory at the 14-16 meg window. I have four Microcom 9624's
 runing off it as well as a 5620 terminal and most of my Ham radio 
 gear and I have not found a problem with it yet. 
 They are in Toronto, Canada and thier phone number is 940-2900 


-- 
Dennis S. Breckenridge           Whats that you say? "Goomba!"
Toronto, Canada
(416) 733-1696

larry@nstar.UUCP (Larry Snyder) (09/21/89)

>  I use Consensys Powerports up here. I have tested many ports cards
>  and have found the Powerports to be the most reliable. It supports
>  bi-directional hardware  flow control that does not "skid" . It has 
>  other features like powerview (multiple login sessions on one dumb
>  terminal (not 'X' or layers(1) )) and transparent printing. It does
>  not eat an interrupt and fits either into the DOS ram space or out
>  in REAL memory at the 14-16 meg window. I have four Microcom 9624's
>  runing off it as well as a 5620 terminal and most of my Ham radio 
>  gear and I have not found a problem with it yet. 
>  They are in Toronto, Canada and thier phone number is 940-2900 

Well - latest news - I bought one of the Digiboard PC8i (12.5 mhz
80186 - their top of the line 8 channel board) and the drivers
worked perfectly with serial terminals and one way modem communications -
but big problems with bi-directional communications like the dropping
of DTR on ALL 8 CHANNELS (even in the middle of a UUCP transfer)
when changing from outgoing back to incoming on one of the modem lines.
The Digiboard went back yesterday.

Yesterday, I traded some hardware for a Hostess board - an 8 channel
dumb serial card that is supported under SCO (BTW - the SCO tech reference
notes are incorrect on the address of the ports - I had to go into
/usr/sys/io/sioconf.c and check the address).  Anyhow - this board (even
though no smarts) is working dandy under SCO.  Now I get to see (if and
how much) a dumb port can tie up the system!

Now I can move on to multiple controllers!
-- 
Larry Snyder                                              SCO Xenix 2.3.2 '386
uucp: iuvax!ndcheg!ndmath!nstar!larry 
The Northern Star Usenet Distribution Site                    HST / PEP / V.22
Notre Dame, Indiana USA                            Home of the fighting Irish!

neverisk@tnl.UUCP (neverisky michael) (03/09/90)

I am running SCO Xenix V/386 v2.3.2 on a 20Mhz Compaq '386 - with only
one serial port!  I would like to employ an asynch terminal mux - like
the DigiBoard DigiCHANNEL/16i.  Anyone have experience (good/bad) with
this product combination  - or perhaps care to suggest a mux?

Mike Neverisky
philabs!trintex!neverisk