Does serial port networking software exist?

lunarknight

Hi, I just recently bought a notebook and it does not have a serial port. I spent a lot of money on the notebook and would like to save some money by not buying a usb to db9 cable unless I absolutely have to. I was wondering if there was software that could create a virtual serial com port on my notebook, and have data transfered/recieved via the internet or lan to my other pc with a serial port connected to my bs2.

Has anyone done this themselves? Any help/suggestions would be appreciated, thanks.
- Vincent

Chris Savage

Vincent,

·· Even if this was possible, it sounds like it might be likely to cause problems with the timing of the data required to properly program the BASIC Stamp.· Think of it this way.· Current Serial Ports on laptops are sometimes prone to issues, as are some USB to Serial configurations.· In these cases you can usually turn off the Serial FIFO buffers, or on the USB turn down the Latency Timer.· What would you do on a virtual networked port?· I think it would be more issue than buying the USB to Serial adapter, which we have for $34.00.

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Chris Savage
Parallax Tech Support
csavage@parallax.com

Beau Schwabe

Do you just want to transfer data between your laptop and PC I'm confused?

If so and you have a Parallel port on your laptop and PC, I would go with DCC (Direct Cable Connection)

www.cellarstoneindia.com/cable_pdf/Parallel-Windows%2095_98%20%20to%20Windows%20XP.pdf

...This is going to be SLOW, but it should be faster than a serial connection. You will need
a special cable for DCC you can either buy or make your own ( I prefer the latter)

www.lammertbies.nl/comm/cable/parallel.html

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Beau Schwabe

IC Layout Engineer
Parallax, Inc.

steve_b

You can buy PCMCIA cards with serial 'pigtails' that will give you a serial connection.
I don't think these cards cost too much!! ~$50usd?

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Steve

"Inside each and every one of us is our one, true authentic swing. Something we was born with. Something that's ours and ours alone. Something that can't be learned... something that's got to be remembered."