I have a chance to pick up an old Penril VCX-100. It
is supposedly a
serial port multiplexor to connect a bunch of terminals to a host.
I have a bunch of terminals and not enough ports on my host (Linux PC).
Can anyone tell me how to use this box?
The VCX100 comes either with a V.35 interface or a RS-232 composite
interface. On the other end of this interface is always another Penril
box which does the demultiplexing. So, no, by itself this Penril box
won't do you any good.
What would do you the most good is a DECServer 700 or some other TCP/IP
compatible terminal server. This you can throw onto your LAN quite easily.
Older DECServers (like the 200 and 300) can be put into service as well if
you want to go to the trouble of enabling MOP boot support and LAT in
your Linux box.
--
Tim Shoppa Email: shoppa(a)trailing-edge.com
Trailing Edge Technology WWW:
http://www.trailing-edge.com/
7328 Bradley Blvd Voice: 301-767-5917
Bethesda, MD, USA 20817 Fax: 301-767-5927