Date: Wed, 30 Jul 2003 16:37:07 +0000 From: "clayton rollins" <crollins666@hotmail.com> To: freebsd-questions@freebsd.org Cc: stanb@panix.com Subject: Re: Best way to add serial ports to STABLE machine? Message-ID: <Sea1-F49kRacUtI9dm50000f7b5@hotmail.com>
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On Tue, 29 Jul 2003 stan <stanb@panix.com> 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
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