jack@boring.UUCP (05/29/85)
Well, as the replies to my PC hardware query seem to be drying up,
I might as well post a summary.
For those who didn't see the first message, I asked for information about
- Ethernet interfaces for the PC
- Multiple RS-232 interfaces
I've recieved a lot of duplicate material, so I've edited everything
down to the basics.
I would like to thank the following people for their replies :
ulysses!smb (Steven Bellovin), nbires!mccallum (Doug McCallum),
digi-g!dan, tmq!peter, RUTGERS!SCARTER ( Stephen Carter ),
faron!dnj (David N. Juitt), duvel!johan, cernvax!jmg (jmg),
wcwvax!ruth ( Ruth Moulton )
---------------------------------
For the IBM-PC, contact 3-Com (Mountain View, Calf). They have the "Etherlink"
series for the PC. You may also use the 3-Com boards with TCP using software
from MIT. Otherwise you may use the 3-Com software. I believe Apple will also
interface with the Etherlink stuff by the end of the year. Interlan also has
an Ethernet controller of the IBM-PC
-------------------------------
Both Interlan and 3Com make Ethernet cards for the PC.
The 3Com is about $600 and the Interlan around $695.
First I would suggest you go for compatability.
If you just have Sun's on your LAN, buy 3Com.
We ended up buying 3Com because we use the MIT PC/IP.
We have had some problems with the cards not communicating
with Interlan cards in two of our hosts. ( VAX, Optimum )
The problem seems to be with a certain revision that
sends out of spec stuff to the transceiver, which the
Interlan boards can't decipher.
If you don't need the 3Com card for a software specific purpose
I would recommend the Interlan.
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[more-or-less translated from the Dutch:]
Excelan will be marketing an intelligent ethernet controller for
the AT, price between $700 and $1000.
They also have on-board software (TCP/IP) for Xenix and DOS, plus
4.2 compatible software (rcp,rsh,etc).
The board contains room for an on-board transceiver.
---------------------------------------
BICC Data Networks Ltd., in England, make a PC board for Ethernet.
Is called Type 4110 Controller, conforms to IEEE 802.3, on-board
processor and memory-mapped 16K message buffer, firmware for physical,
media access and logical link layers, on-board diagnostics for hardware
and network, various disk-based software.
Address is 1 Frogmore Road, Hemel Hempstead, Herts HP3 9RJ.
Telephone (0442) 218383, telex 628811
BICC is a large company (stands for British Insulated Callenders
Cables, I think). I do not, and have never, worked for them: I am
just trying to promote European products!
-------------------------------
As to RS232 cards there are many - but one in particular I know
about is from Persyst - they do a two port version (ACC2 - which
we have used on our MG-1 machines ) and I think a 4 and/or 8
port version.
------------------------------------
Organization: DigiGraphic Systems Corp. of Minneapolis
Our company manufactures a 8 port serial card. Each UART is individually
addressable. If desired, two of the ports may be configured to be COM1
and COM2. We also have installable drivers for DOS for these ports,
and the Xenix/286 drivers if you want to put this board in an AT.
------------------------------
The Octacom 8 serial port card for the PC, XT, AT is available from:
Star Gate Technologies
PO Box 764
Cleveland, OH 44026 USA
Tel: (216)-292-5390
4 channel card: US$ 295
6 channel card: US$ 345
8 channel card: US$ 495
Also, 4 channel ports are available from Kimtron, Inc, San Jose, CA, USA.
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--
Jack Jansen, jack@mcvax.UUCP
The shell is my oyster.