Looking for Ethernet to RS232 terminal server.

Not really broadband related but there seem to be plenty of low level
network types here :-)
Anyway, I'm looking for an RS232 terminal server (Ethernet to RS232 bridge)
to connect an analogue modem up to my home network. I don't really want to
use a PC serial port if I can help it. I've done a bit of scouting around
and the cheapest one I can find is this one
http://www.audon.co.uk/7100.html
Unfortunately the virtual com port software only runs on NT/XP and two of
the PC's are running Win98(unavoidable due to spec). I also found another
one somewhere for £150. The prices all seem a bit on the extortionate side
and I was just wondering if I was missing any obvious alternatives.

Any help is much appreciated.

Richard.

"Richard Yearsley" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
news:ylypb.1880$(E-Mail Removed):

> Not really broadband related but there seem to be plenty of low level
> network types here :-)
> Anyway, I'm looking for an RS232 terminal server (Ethernet to RS232
> bridge) to connect an analogue modem up to my home network. I don't
> really want to use a PC serial port if I can help it. I've done a bit
> of scouting around and the cheapest one I can find is this one
> http://www.audon.co.uk/7100.html
> Unfortunately the virtual com port software only runs on NT/XP and two
> of the PC's are running Win98(unavoidable due to spec). I also found
> another one somewhere for £150. The prices all seem a bit on the
> extortionate side and I was just wondering if I was missing any
> obvious alternatives.

A PCI modem for less than a tenner and ICS, if you don't want ICS then
linux on a cheap box for another tenner. You would also get a firewall as a
bonus.

http://www.itdealers.co.uk/mailshots/ (or a local dealer and pick up to
avoid postage)

Don't be daunted by the linux option, setting it up as a router is well
documented. Burn the install to a CD and boot from that for extra security.

>
> Any help is much appreciated.
>
> Richard.
>
>
>

Oops, I probably should have given a few more details in my first post. The
network (3 PC's) is already connected to broadband through a
firewall/router/gateway. The analogue modem is needed mainly for FAX
purposes plus my step-dad needs to be able to connect directly to his main
server at work which isn't on the net. Ideally we want to be able to switch
any single PC on and have FAX/data access via the phone line. We don't
really want to have any of the PC's running continuously due to the
noise/power requirements.

Thanks for answering anyway, further comments would be welcome.

Richard.

"Richard Yearsley" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
news:PfApb.1970$(E-Mail Removed):

> Oops, I probably should have given a few more details in my first
> post. The network (3 PC's) is already connected to broadband through a
> firewall/router/gateway. The analogue modem is needed mainly for FAX
> purposes plus my step-dad needs to be able to connect directly to his
> main server at work which isn't on the net. Ideally we want to be able
> to switch any single PC on and have FAX/data access via the phone
> line. We don't really want to have any of the PC's running
> continuously due to the noise/power requirements.

You colud still do all of the above with a bit of extra software, the
cheapest PC on the link posted would be very low powered and quiet since it
does would produce the heat of modern chips, but personally I would just
get three fax modems i.e;

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?
action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=20 266

It will cost you just over £20.

Hi Steve,

That link you pointed out, http://www.itdealers.co.uk/mailshots/ looks quite
good. There prices are right and I'm always in need of cheep PC's to enhance
a falling to bits cluster I have running and more servers.

Can you give me a recommendation on them? Have you used them yourself? (Do
you work for them? :-D )
I know there are a few rotten eggs on the net, but if this one is Cosha, I'd
buy from them.

Thanks!

Regards,
-Lawrence Stromski.

"Steve" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> "Richard Yearsley" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
> news:ylypb.1880$(E-Mail Removed):
>
> > Not really broadband related but there seem to be plenty of low level
> > network types here :-)
> > Anyway, I'm looking for an RS232 terminal server (Ethernet to RS232
> > bridge) to connect an analogue modem up to my home network. I don't
> > really want to use a PC serial port if I can help it. I've done a bit
> > of scouting around and the cheapest one I can find is this one
> > http://www.audon.co.uk/7100.html
> > Unfortunately the virtual com port software only runs on NT/XP and two
> > of the PC's are running Win98(unavoidable due to spec). I also found
> > another one somewhere for £150. The prices all seem a bit on the
> > extortionate side and I was just wondering if I was missing any
> > obvious alternatives.
>
> A PCI modem for less than a tenner and ICS, if you don't want ICS then
> linux on a cheap box for another tenner. You would also get a firewall as
a
> bonus.
>
> http://www.itdealers.co.uk/mailshots/ (or a local dealer and pick up to
> avoid postage)
>
> Don't be daunted by the linux option, setting it up as a router is well
> documented. Burn the install to a CD and boot from that for extra
security.
>
> >
> > Any help is much appreciated.
> >
> > Richard.
> >
> >
> >
>

On Mon, 3 Nov 2003 23:31:11 UTC, "Lawrence Stromski" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

> That link you pointed out, http://www.itdealers.co.uk/mailshots/ looks quite
> good. There prices are right and I'm always in need of cheep PC's to enhance
> a falling to bits cluster I have running and more servers.
>
> Can you give me a recommendation on them? Have you used them yourself? (Do
> you work for them? :-D )

If you look over in uk.adverts.computer, you will see nothing but praise
for IT Dealers. Simply brilliant...


--
Bob Eager
rde at tavi.co.uk
PC Server 325*4; PS/2s 9585, 8595, 9595*2, 8580*3,
P70...

"Bob Eager" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
news:176uZD2KcidF-pn2-(E-Mail Removed):

> On Mon, 3 Nov 2003 23:31:11 UTC, "Lawrence Stromski" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
>> That link you pointed out, http://www.itdealers.co.uk/mailshots/
>> looks quite good. There prices are right and I'm always in need of
>> cheep PC's to enhance a falling to bits cluster I have running and
>> more servers.
>>
>> Can you give me a recommendation on them? Have you used them
>> yourself? (Do you work for them? :-D )
>
> If you look over in uk.adverts.computer, you will see nothing but
> praise for IT Dealers. Simply brilliant...
>
>
Likewise in uk.comp.vendors (not used them myself be there are recent good
reviews)

"Richard Yearsley" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:PfApb.1970$(E-Mail Removed)...
> Oops, I probably should have given a few more details in my first post.
The
> network (3 PC's) is already connected to broadband through a
> firewall/router/gateway. The analogue modem is needed mainly for FAX
> purposes plus my step-dad needs to be able to connect directly to his main
> server at work which isn't on the net. Ideally we want to be able to
switch
> any single PC on and have FAX/data access via the phone line. We don't
> really want to have any of the PC's running continuously due to the
> noise/power requirements.
>
> Thanks for answering anyway, further comments would be welcome.
>
> Richard.
>
>

Priceless Computing in Glasgow sell the Intellinet Sharing Station for 111
pounds + p&p see http://www.pless.co.uk/acatalog/ples...orking_20.html
however a better soltuion is to aquire a low power consumption fanless PC
to run as server using Lan Suite 602 software (free for up to 5 users) ---
PC wise this really means one that uses a Via Epia micro-itx format
motherboard. see
http://www.kustompcs.co.uk/product.p...1607a629fdd1fc
0c4b736de05c1f2 Maplin sell a suitable PC with such a motherboard as item
number A22BF.

>
http://www.kustompcs.co.uk/product.p...1607a629fdd1fc

Hmmm, that looks promising. They even do a 55W fanless PSU. I'd have to get
the board and see if that was enough power first though. Anyone know if this
motherboard could boot from a USB pendrive or similar flash media device?
(most new boards do). If so I could just slap a bit of ram in it and connect
my old serial modem up. I'm assuming it's PC compatible (never heard of that
CPU) and I could throw DOS/LINUX/Windows on it (?) It would still end up
around the £100 mark but would be much more flexible so what-the-hell :-)

Richard.

The message <ylypb.1880$(E-Mail Removed)>
from "Richard Yearsley" <(E-Mail Removed)> contains these words:

> Not really broadband related but there seem to be plenty of low level
> network types here :-)
> Anyway, I'm looking for an RS232 terminal server (Ethernet to RS232 bridge)
> to connect an analogue modem up to my home network. I don't really want to
> use a PC serial port if I can help it. I've done a bit of scouting around
> and the cheapest one I can find is this one
> http://www.audon.co.uk/7100.html
> Unfortunately the virtual com port software only runs on NT/XP and two of
> the PC's are running Win98(unavoidable due to spec). I also found another
> one somewhere for £150. The prices all seem a bit on the extortionate side
> and I was just wondering if I was missing any obvious alternatives.

> Any help is much appreciated.

> Richard.

Hi Richard

I'm not sure if it would do what you want but US robotics do a router
with a RS232 port for using a modem:

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...duct_uid=44088

Its about £45.

Regards

Steve