From owner-freebsd-questions@FreeBSD.ORG Wed Jul 30 09:37:09 2003 Return-Path: Delivered-To: freebsd-questions@freebsd.org Received: from mx1.FreeBSD.org (mx1.freebsd.org [216.136.204.125]) by hub.freebsd.org (Postfix) with ESMTP id 527AD37B401 for ; Wed, 30 Jul 2003 09:37:09 -0700 (PDT) Received: from hotmail.com (sea1-f49.sea1.hotmail.com [207.68.163.49]) by mx1.FreeBSD.org (Postfix) with ESMTP id 77C1643FB1 for ; Wed, 30 Jul 2003 09:37:08 -0700 (PDT) (envelope-from crollins666@hotmail.com) Received: from mail pickup service by hotmail.com with Microsoft SMTPSVC; Wed, 30 Jul 2003 09:37:08 -0700 Received: from 216.19.22.118 by sea1fd.sea1.hotmail.msn.com with HTTP; Wed, 30 Jul 2003 16:37:07 GMT X-Originating-IP: [216.19.22.118] X-Originating-Email: [crollins666@hotmail.com] From: "clayton rollins" To: freebsd-questions@freebsd.org Date: Wed, 30 Jul 2003 16:37:07 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed Message-ID: X-OriginalArrivalTime: 30 Jul 2003 16:37:08.0174 (UTC) FILETIME=[D1499EE0:01C356B8] cc: stanb@panix.com Subject: Re: Best way to add serial ports to STABLE machine? X-BeenThere: freebsd-questions@freebsd.org X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.1 Precedence: list List-Id: User questions List-Unsubscribe: , List-Archive: List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , X-List-Received-Date: Wed, 30 Jul 2003 16:37:09 -0000 On Tue, 29 Jul 2003 stan wrote: > >I've got a bunch of what I call "2nd generation" HP Vectras that I'm >redeploying for an application that gets input for Serial RS-232 devices. >At the moment the most input devices any 1 computer has to deal with is 2, >and I thought I would be in good shape using the on motherboard ports (as I >have done on the "first generation" Vectras). > >However, I just discovered that these machines have a 8250 serial chip >instead of a (useful) 16550A chip. Even ruining minicom against this port >locks the machine up :-( > Someone should smack that engineer around a bit. :) > >Now, I can easily disable this port in the BIOS. > >So, whats the best (most FreeBSD compatible way) of adding an extra "good" >serial port or 2? > >I've had success in the past with ISA card serial port cards to add 3rd and >4th ports. But I'm wondering if I can even still buy something this old? > >Suggestions? > It sounds like you've got the right idea, and being able to disable the onboard crap really helps. I want to say this, though. I'm a FreeBSD newbie, and may be overlooking bsd specific issues. (I do see a variety of serial controllers listed in the hardware guide for 4.8, so I'd assume that this is fully possible. Try it on a single machine before you order all your serial cards...) About availabiliy, I was able to find a variety of cards on http://www.pricewatch.com . So, they're out there. Good luck reviving those machines, Clayton _________________________________________________________________ STOP MORE SPAM with the new MSN 8 and get 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail