RS232 and advice on Hybrid/Core

[ggmce]

Sorry if this is basic, I searched but could not find an answer to this;

RS232; if I have more than one device that can be controlled via RS232, do I need a separate connection for each serial cable back to the core? (Can they be daisy chained or "networked" so that you would only need one serial connection on the back of your Hybrid/Core).

Also, saw this on ebay, not sure it would make a nice Hybrid/Core?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370445526846&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Thanks,

[tschak909]

no, you can't chain RS232. You have to have separate connections for each RS232 device. I recommend..no..insist, that you use a PCI serial card to handle serial ports.

As for that piece of... well.. I would honestly recommend something else.

-Thom

[ggmce]

Thanks for the response, as they say, if it seems to good to be true, it probably is ($50 for a hybrid!!), also on the RS232, then you would need to make sure you have enough space for any controlled devices...

Thanks,

GG

[tschak909]

You can also use the serial ports on the GC-100 to connect serial port devices, as well over IP.

-Thom

[Techstyle]

what about USB to serial cables?  I have a TV connected like that and it works fine

[tschak909]

NO!

God damn it. Techstyle...

USB to Serial cables _ARE NOT_ reliable. Most USB to Serial converters have a nasty habit of dropping off the USB bus to save power, and this confuses the hell out of HAL, and our HAL DCE device, and wreaks havoc in all sorts of ways. Please listen to me. Use PCI card serial devices, or you will be sorry later.

Or don't.

After all, it's only your reliability.

-Thom

[bongowongo]

Hmm my PLCBus is usb, and has a built in USB -> RS232.
Could then be also be a problem?

[posde]

It depends. Some USB2Serial adapter work nicely, and do not give any problems. Others cause the problems tschak909 highlighted. As computers that are being used as Media Directors tend to be small, they rarely have PCI slots. GC-100 is a nice solution, though a bit pricey. People have reported success using terminal server like products, but those are not plug and play.