need more serial ports

Amadeus W.M. · External Since: Nov 13, 2006 Posts: 48

I have several devices that communicate with a pc via serial ports. I've
been using them on and off, one at the time, because my pc only has one
serial port. Now I want to use them all together. I searched and I found a
serial multiport card here:

http://www.stayonline.com/detail.aspx?ID=1131&gclid=CLGf2e_buokCFRBoNAodNR79qw

I didn't even know something like this existed. Anyway, I'm wondering if
something like this would work under linux.

Does anybody know of a different solution?

Thanks!

Bob Hauck · External Since: Aug 25, 2006 Posts: 345

On Sat, 30 Dec 2006 17:48:56 +0000 (UTC), Amadeus
W.M. <amadeus84.RemoveThis@verizon.net> wrote:

> I have several devices that communicate with a pc via serial ports. I've
> been using them on and off, one at the time, because my pc only has one
> serial port.

> Now I want to use them all together. I searched and I found a serial
> multiport card here:

[snip url]

> I didn't even know something like this existed. Anyway, I'm wondering if
> something like this would work under linux.

Maybe you could ask them. Many of these boards do work but I don't know
about that one in particular. I've used Boca and Cyclades cards in the
past, Cyclades is now part of Avocent, don't know what happened to Boca:

http://www.avocent.com

If you'd asked before I moved I could have sold you a 16-port Boca board
or a 32-port Cyclades with all the cables for cheap <g>.

> Does anybody know of a different solution?

Most USB->Serial converters will work with Linux. I got mine at Radio
Shack. I've only ever had two running at once, but don't see any reason
four wouldn't work.

There are also "terminal servers" that connect a bunch of serial ports
to TCP/IP. Digi and Perle make those and also some multiport serial
cards like the one you found.

http://www.digi.com
http://www.perle.com

--
-| Bob Hauck
-| Hooray for San Fancisco values!
-| http://www.haucks.org/

Floyd L. Davidson · External Since: Aug 24, 2006 Posts: 392

Sam <sam DeleteThis @email-scan.com> wrote:
>Amadeus W.M. writes:
>
>> I have several devices that communicate with a pc via serial ports. I've
>> been using them on and off, one at the time, because my pc only has one
>> serial port. Now I want to use them all together. I searched and I found a
>> serial multiport card here:
>> http://www.stayonline.com/detail.aspx?ID=1131&gclid=CLGf2e_buokCFRBoNAodNR79qw
>> I didn't even know something like this existed. Anyway, I'm
>> wondering if
>> something like this would work under linux.
>
>Why don't you call the manufacturer of this card, and ask?
>
>The manufacturer does seem to be aware that Linux exists, see
>http://www.support.lavalink.com/index.php?id=435 so call them up
>and ask them which one of their cards are supported in which
>kernel versions.

It be far more productive use Google's advanced web search page,
and search for '"lavaport-quad" linux'. It would probably be a
good idea to first set the number of results shown to 100,
rather than 10.

Whatever, the board clearly is supported, and Lavalink provides
several articles on how to install and configure it to run on
Linux.

--
Floyd L. Davidson <http://www.apaflo.com/floyd_davidson>
Ukpeagvik (Barrow, Alaska) floyd DeleteThis @apaflo.com

Amadeus W.M. · External Since: Nov 13, 2006 Posts: 48

On Sat, 30 Dec 2006 12:43:53 -0600, Sam wrote:

> Amadeus W.M. writes:
>
>> I have several devices that communicate with a pc via serial ports. I've
>> been using them on and off, one at the time, because my pc only has one
>> serial port. Now I want to use them all together. I searched and I found a
>> serial multiport card here:
>>
>> http://www.stayonline.com/detail.aspx?ID=1131&gclid=CLGf2e_buokCFRBoNAodNR79qw
>>
>> I didn't even know something like this existed. Anyway, I'm wondering if
>> something like this would work under linux.
>
> Why don't you call the manufacturer of this card, and ask?
>

Because it's Saturday. I will call them when they get back to work, thanks.

Dave {Reply Address In.si · External Since: Jun 14, 2006 Posts: 68

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Davide Bianchi · External Since: May 07, 2005 Posts: 821

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Amadeus W.M. · External Since: Nov 13, 2006 Posts: 48

On Sat, 30 Dec 2006 21:18:08 +0100, Robert Heller wrote:

> At Sat, 30 Dec 2006 17:48:56 +0000 (UTC) "Amadeus W.M." <amadeus84.RemoveThis@verizon.net> wrote:
>
>>
>> I have several devices that communicate with a pc via serial ports. I've
>> been using them on and off, one at the time, because my pc only has one
>> serial port. Now I want to use them all together. I searched and I found a
>> serial multiport card here:
>>
>> http://www.stayonline.com/detail.aspx?ID=1131&gclid=CLGf2e_buokCFRBoNAodNR79qw
>>
>> I didn't even know something like this existed. Anyway, I'm wondering if
>> something like this would work under linux.
>
> Yes. I have one in my machine:
>
> 00:08.0 Serial controller: Lava Computer mfg Inc Quattro-PCI A
> 00:08.1 Serial controller: Lava Computer mfg Inc Quattro-PCI B
>
> Work out-of-the-box with a 2.6 kernel, need a little help with
> setserial with a 2.4 kernel.
>
>>
>> Does anybody know of a different solution?
>>
>> Thanks!
>>
>

Excellent news! That's what I was hoping for, in asking here.
No drivers from the manufacturer, no kernel re-compilation I take it?
I guess what I really wanted to ask was whether such a card needs a driver,
or if the linux serial driver will do. Thanks!

Robert Heller · External Since: Sep 13, 2006 Posts: 255

At Sat, 30 Dec 2006 17:48:56 +0000 (UTC) "Amadeus W.M." <amadeus84.TakeThisOut@verizon.net> wrote:

>
> I have several devices that communicate with a pc via serial ports. I've
> been using them on and off, one at the time, because my pc only has one
> serial port. Now I want to use them all together. I searched and I found a
> serial multiport card here:
>
> http://www.stayonline.com/detail.aspx?ID=1131&gclid=CLGf2e_buokCFRBoNAodNR79qw
>
> I didn't even know something like this existed. Anyway, I'm wondering if
> something like this would work under linux.

Yes. I have one in my machine:

00:08.0 Serial controller: Lava Computer mfg Inc Quattro-PCI A
00:08.1 Serial controller: Lava Computer mfg Inc Quattro-PCI B

Work out-of-the-box with a 2.6 kernel, need a little help with
setserial with a 2.4 kernel.

>
> Does anybody know of a different solution?
>
> Thanks!
>

--
Robert Heller -- 978-544-6933
Deepwoods Software -- Linux Installation and Administration
http://www.deepsoft.com/ -- Web Hosting, with CGI and Database
heller.TakeThisOut@deepsoft.com -- Contract Programming: C/C++, Tcl/Tk

Floyd L. Davidson · External Since: Aug 24, 2006 Posts: 392

"Amadeus W.M." <amadeus84 RemoveThis @verizon.net> wrote:
>On Sat, 30 Dec 2006 21:18:08 +0100, Robert Heller wrote:
>
>> At Sat, 30 Dec 2006 17:48:56 +0000 (UTC) "Amadeus W.M." <amadeus84 RemoveThis @verizon.net> wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> I have several devices that communicate with a pc via serial ports. I've
>>> been using them on and off, one at the time, because my pc only has one
>>> serial port. Now I want to use them all together. I searched and I found a
>>> serial multiport card here:
>>>
>>> http://www.stayonline.com/detail.aspx?ID=1131&gclid=CLGf2e_buokCFRBoNAodNR79qw
>>>
>>> I didn't even know something like this existed. Anyway, I'm wondering if
>>> something like this would work under linux.
>>
>> Yes. I have one in my machine:
>>
>> 00:08.0 Serial controller: Lava Computer mfg Inc Quattro-PCI A
>> 00:08.1 Serial controller: Lava Computer mfg Inc Quattro-PCI B
>>
>> Work out-of-the-box with a 2.6 kernel, need a little help with
>> setserial with a 2.4 kernel.
>>
>>>
>>> Does anybody know of a different solution?
>>>
>>> Thanks!
>>>
>>
>
>Excellent news! That's what I was hoping for, in asking here.
>No drivers from the manufacturer, no kernel re-compilation I take it?
>I guess what I really wanted to ask was whether such a card needs a driver,
>or if the linux serial driver will do. Thanks!

Why don't you do as suggested... and read the several pages the
manufacture has describing *exactly* how to install the card on
a Linux system. Google is your friend, stop stumbling around in
the dark!

--
Floyd L. Davidson <http://www.apaflo.com/floyd_davidson>
Ukpeagvik (Barrow, Alaska) floyd RemoveThis @apaflo.com

Robert Heller · External Since: Sep 13, 2006 Posts: 255

At Sat, 30 Dec 2006 21:00:45 +0000 (UTC) "Amadeus W.M." <amadeus84.TakeThisOut@verizon.net> wrote:

>
> On Sat, 30 Dec 2006 21:18:08 +0100, Robert Heller wrote:
>
> > At Sat, 30 Dec 2006 17:48:56 +0000 (UTC) "Amadeus W.M." <amadeus84.TakeThisOut@verizon.net> wrote:
> >
> >>
> >> I have several devices that communicate with a pc via serial ports. I've
> >> been using them on and off, one at the time, because my pc only has one
> >> serial port. Now I want to use them all together. I searched and I found a
> >> serial multiport card here:
> >>
> >> http://www.stayonline.com/detail.aspx?ID=1131&gclid=CLGf2e_buokCFRBoNAodNR79qw
> >>
> >> I didn't even know something like this existed. Anyway, I'm wondering if
> >> something like this would work under linux.
> >
> > Yes. I have one in my machine:
> >
> > 00:08.0 Serial controller: Lava Computer mfg Inc Quattro-PCI A
> > 00:08.1 Serial controller: Lava Computer mfg Inc Quattro-PCI B
> >
> > Work out-of-the-box with a 2.6 kernel, need a little help with
> > setserial with a 2.4 kernel.
> >
> >>
> >> Does anybody know of a different solution?
> >>
> >> Thanks!
> >>
> >
>
> Excellent news! That's what I was hoping for, in asking here.
> No drivers from the manufacturer, no kernel re-compilation I take it?

Correct.

> I guess what I really wanted to ask was whether such a card needs a driver,
> or if the linux serial driver will do. Thanks!

The ports on the Lava cards are standard vanila 16650 chips (or look
like standard vanila 16650 chips) -- no funky propriatory games and
fun. Just at addresses and IRQs that are off the beaten path (because
they are in PCI slots and get addresses and IRQs assigned by the BIOS).
The 2.4 serial port driver simply lacks the newer Lava Computer
'Quattro' PCI device ids in its probe tables -- setserial with explicit
addresses and IRQs deal with things during boot time -- you create an
rc.serial file and put the right magic in it (I think I might have some
script code somewhere that extracts the addresses/IRQs from lspci's
output). The 2.6 incarnation of the serial port driver has an updated
probe table and includes the newer cards, so the driver finds the ports
and configures them on its own.

>

--
Robert Heller -- 978-544-6933
Deepwoods Software -- Linux Installation and Administration
http://www.deepsoft.com/ -- Web Hosting, with CGI and Database
heller.TakeThisOut@deepsoft.com -- Contract Programming: C/C++, Tcl/Tk

gort · External Since: Apr 26, 2006 Posts: 148

>
> Most USB->Serial converters will work with Linux. I got mine at Radio
> Shack. I've only ever had two running at once, but don't see any reason
> four wouldn't work.

But USB-serial converters don't always have the connections that are needed,
some are simply not implemented correctly.

Dave

Amadeus W.M. · External Since: Nov 13, 2006 Posts: 48

On Sat, 30 Dec 2006 23:10:01 +0100, Robert Heller wrote:

> At Sat, 30 Dec 2006 21:00:45 +0000 (UTC) "Amadeus W.M." <amadeus84.RemoveThis@verizon.net> wrote:
>
>>
>> On Sat, 30 Dec 2006 21:18:08 +0100, Robert Heller wrote:
>>
>> > At Sat, 30 Dec 2006 17:48:56 +0000 (UTC) "Amadeus W.M." <amadeus84.RemoveThis@verizon.net> wrote:
>> >
>> >>
>> >> I have several devices that communicate with a pc via serial ports. I've
>> >> been using them on and off, one at the time, because my pc only has one
>> >> serial port. Now I want to use them all together. I searched and I found a
>> >> serial multiport card here:
>> >>
>> >> http://www.stayonline.com/detail.aspx?ID=1131&gclid=CLGf2e_buokCFRBoNAodNR79qw
>> >>
>> >> I didn't even know something like this existed. Anyway, I'm wondering if
>> >> something like this would work under linux.
>> >
>> > Yes. I have one in my machine:
>> >
>> > 00:08.0 Serial controller: Lava Computer mfg Inc Quattro-PCI A
>> > 00:08.1 Serial controller: Lava Computer mfg Inc Quattro-PCI B
>> >
>> > Work out-of-the-box with a 2.6 kernel, need a little help with
>> > setserial with a 2.4 kernel.
>> >
>> >>
>> >> Does anybody know of a different solution?
>> >>
>> >> Thanks!
>> >>
>> >
>>
>> Excellent news! That's what I was hoping for, in asking here.
>> No drivers from the manufacturer, no kernel re-compilation I take it?
>
> Correct.
>
>> I guess what I really wanted to ask was whether such a card needs a driver,
>> or if the linux serial driver will do. Thanks!
>
> The ports on the Lava cards are standard vanila 16650 chips (or look
> like standard vanila 16650 chips) -- no funky propriatory games and
> fun. Just at addresses and IRQs that are off the beaten path (because
> they are in PCI slots and get addresses and IRQs assigned by the BIOS).
> The 2.4 serial port driver simply lacks the newer Lava Computer
> 'Quattro' PCI device ids in its probe tables -- setserial with explicit
> addresses and IRQs deal with things during boot time -- you create an
> rc.serial file and put the right magic in it (I think I might have some
> script code somewhere that extracts the addresses/IRQs from lspci's
> output). The 2.6 incarnation of the serial port driver has an updated
> probe table and includes the newer cards, so the driver finds the ports
> and configures them on its own.
>
>>
>

Thank you so much. Comprehensive and to the point answer. Much appreciated!

Grant Edwards · External Since: Jun 08, 2004 Posts: 1264

On 2006-12-30, Amadeus W.M. <amadeus84.RemoveThis@verizon.net> wrote:

> I have several devices that communicate with a pc via serial
> ports. I've been using them on and off, one at the time,
> because my pc only has one serial port. Now I want to use them
> all together. I searched and I found a serial multiport card
> here:
>
> http://www.stayonline.com/detail.aspx?ID=1131&gclid=CLGf2e_buokCFRBoNAodNR79qw
>
> I didn't even know something like this existed. Anyway, I'm
> wondering if something like this would work under linux.

Proabably. There a dozens of brands of multi-port serial cards
with Linux support. The company I work for sells Linux
supported cards with 4, 8,16, or 32 serial ports on them:
http://www.comtrol.com/products/catalog.asp?product=rp_upci.

One of the competitors that I liked (Cyclades) had good Linux
support, but AFAICT they've stopped selling serial boards and
changed their name to something else.

Have you read the multiport serial board HOWTO?

http://tldp.org/HOWTO/Serial-HOWTO-6.html

It lists quite a few "dumb" multi-port 16550 serial cards that
work.

> Does anybody know of a different solution?

USB-serial converter cables are cheap (if you shop around you
can usually find them for $12-$15 each), and they've always
worked well for me.

--
Grant Edwards grante Yow! Will this
at never-ending series of
visi.com PLEASURABLE EVENTS never
cease?

Grant Edwards · External Since: Jun 08, 2004 Posts: 1264

On 2006-12-30, Dave {Reply Address In.sig} <"noone$$"@llondel.org> wrote:

>> Most USB->Serial converters will work with Linux. I got mine at Radio
>> Shack. I've only ever had two running at once, but don't see any reason
>> four wouldn't work.
>
> The main problem with the USB solution is knowing which one is which,
> especially after a reboot or if people have unplugged them and put them
> back in a different order.

That's solved by writing up some udev rules to assign names to
them. That way it doesn't matter what order their plugged in.

--
Grant Edwards grante Yow! Yow!! That's a GOOD
at IDEA!! Eating a whole FIELD
visi.com of COUGH MEDICINE should
make you feel MUCH BETTER!!

Dave {Reply Address In.si · External Since: Jun 14, 2006 Posts: 68

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Grant Edwards · External Since: Jun 08, 2004 Posts: 1264

On 2006-12-31, Dave {Reply Address In.sig} <"noone$$"@llondel.org> wrote:

>> That's solved by writing up some udev rules to assign names to
>> them. That way it doesn't matter what order their plugged in.
>
> How dos that help? All USB serial ports of a particular type
> have the same ID so you can't tell what's on the other end
> until the RS232 comms start. Or do I just buy the wrong type
> of converter? (Or is there a unique ID that is not normally
> read?)

Good point. USB devices usually have serial numbers in addition
to vendor and product IDs. However, there are quite a few
vendors that don't actually set them to unique values (which,
as you point out, means it's painful to use multiple units from
those vendors).

Here's what I've currently got plugged in:

USB<->JTAG: Vendor=09fb ProdID=6001 SerialNumber=91ab52f4
USB card reader: Vendor=05e3 ProdID=0760 SerialNumber=00001
USB<->Serial: Vendor=0403 ProdID=6001 SerialNumber=12345678
Bitscope: Vendor=0403 ProdID=6001 SerialNumber=BSCCHBP1
USB<->CAN: Vendor=0c72 ProdID=000c <no serial number>

I'm guessing that the serial numbers 00001 and 12345678 are
shipped in every unit from those vendors

So if you do want to use multiple "identical" units, you would
need to make sure that the brand in question does set the
serial numbers.

--
Grant Edwards grante Yow! .. I'm IMAGINING a
at sensuous GIRAFFE, CAVORTING
visi.com in the BACK ROOM of a
KOSHER DELI --

Dave {Reply Address In.si · External Since: Jun 14, 2006 Posts: 68

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