[gentoo-user] Null Modem Cables Between Windoze XP and Linux
I dug out of this ancient computer book (Upgrading and Repairing PCs 12th Ed.) this relic technology of the Null Modem Cable. It's a twisted Parallel Cable that allows 2 PCs to almost literally talk to each other. So, I found in the depths of some old computer hardware box this old Symantec null modem cable, plugged it between my X40 and XP Desktop, and hoped for the best. I was able to configure XP as the host with no difficulties, however, I'm not sure what to do about Linux. I'm looking though Kuroo for things about Null Modems, but I'd imagine there's a more command-line friendly way to do this, since I am very much pro-command line. I know there's always a way to dump commands into LPT1 and pray it doesn't call the NSA, but I think there's a more elegant way to do this. The reason why I decided to play with this relic of computer communications technology was because it said that it had the capacity to run at 2MB/sec, which is faster than my networking... or at least faster than my networking behaves. I want to shell out about $50 and get some gigabit ethernet junk from Frys one of these days, (I can roll my own Cat5e, so it's not a difficult thing) but I just wanted to test out this null modem stuff. I honestly am harbouring delusions of using the faster null modem stuff to directly sync my laptop with a future Linux CVS/Web server, so that I can have a update of the whole smash in my laptop once a day, rather than waiting for a slow internet connection remotely. It's just an idea I'm playing around with, and playing around is good (99% of the time, anyways). Thanks for any suggestions of where to start looking. I'll also be grepping (sorry, googling) through the Gentoo Wiki, however I don't expect I'd find anything in there, at least directly related. -- == GCv3.12 == GCS d-(++) s+: a? C++ UL+> P+ L++ E--- W+(+++) N++ o? K? w--- O? M+ V? PS- PE+ Y-(--) PGP- t+++ 5? X R tv-- b+ DI+++ D+ G e* h- !r !y = END GCv3.12 -- gentoo-user@gentoo.org mailing list
Re: [gentoo-user] Null Modem Cables Between Windoze XP and Linux
On Saturday 24 June 2006 21:49, Lord Sauron wrote: > I dug out of this ancient computer book (Upgrading and Repairing PCs > 12th Ed.) this relic technology of the Null Modem Cable. It's a > twisted Parallel Cable that allows 2 PCs to almost literally talk to > each other. While there were cables using the parallel port for communication, they always needed special software to deal with this. A nul-modem though used to be serial and as such worked the normal tty stuff. For parallel I remember that lantastic-z had a parallel cable and there was some other program under dos which used to use a parallel cable. Forgot the name, but maybe with a little google and dosbox you have a chance there.. -- Ithaka photography, http://ithaka.mine.nu/ -- gentoo-user@gentoo.org mailing list
Re: [gentoo-user] Null Modem Cables Between Windoze XP and Linux
On Saturday 24 June 2006 15:49, Lord Sauron wrote: > I dug out of this ancient computer book (Upgrading and Repairing PCs > 12th Ed.) this relic technology of the Null Modem Cable. It's a > twisted Parallel Cable that allows 2 PCs to almost literally talk to > each other. So, I found in the depths of some old computer hardware > box this old Symantec null modem cable, plugged it between my X40 and > XP Desktop, and hoped for the best. I was able to configure XP as the > host with no difficulties, however, I'm not sure what to do about > Linux. I'm looking though Kuroo for things about Null Modems, but I'd > imagine there's a more command-line friendly way to do this, since I > am very much pro-command line. > ---snip--- The problem you'll face is the protocols on both ends of the wire will have to be the same. That said, you won't have much luck. However, I ran a similar setup between two linux computers using plip... Something like a poor mans ethernet. Good luck -- gentoo-user@gentoo.org mailing list
Re: [gentoo-user] Null Modem Cables Between Windoze XP and Linux
On 24/06/06, Gerhard Hoogterp <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: While there were cables using the parallel port for communication, they always needed special software to deal with this. A nul-modem though used to be serial and as such worked the normal tty stuff. That's right. Null modems are used for serial connections (i.e. to a serial console on your Linux box). Between two machines you would usually use a null modem cable and set up a new modem connection on the OS software side so that they communicate using a common protocol, e.g. tcp/ip. To send files you could use X Y or Zmodem and a comms application. Not entirely sure what a command line approach would be (a getty or anything that works over tcp/ip I guess?) Have you looked at this: http://www.vanemery.com/Linux/Serial/serial-console.html -- Regards, Mick -- gentoo-user@gentoo.org mailing list
Re: [gentoo-user] Null Modem Cables Between Windoze XP and Linux
On Saturday 24 June 2006 12:49 pm, Lord Sauron wrote: > I honestly am harbouring delusions of using the faster null modem > stuff to directly sync my laptop with a future Linux CVS/Web server, > so that I can have a update of the whole smash in my laptop once a > day, rather than waiting for a slow internet connection remotely. > It's just an idea I'm playing around with, and playing around is good > (99% of the time, anyways). I used to setup linux-based embedded systems running agetty on the serial port. That allowed us to connect to the machine with just a null-modem cable (Windows client using hyperterm usually) and login directly if the network went screwy. The thing I remember most about the whole process was that running over a serial connection was slow as molasses. You need to set a baud rate on the line (the server and client must agree on the rate) and you basically get dial-up speeds. If there is a way to coax 2Mb/s out of the thing I never found it. If you are looking for a linux client, look for a program called kermit. It's been at least 5 years since I last used it, but I believe that is what we used to use. Josh pgpgpJslnpkgQ.pgp Description: PGP signature
Re: [gentoo-user] Null Modem Cables Between Windoze XP and Linux
On 6/25/06, Josh Helmer <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: On Saturday 24 June 2006 12:49 pm, Lord Sauron wrote: > I honestly am harbouring delusions of using the faster null modem > stuff to directly sync my laptop with a future Linux CVS/Web server, > so that I can have a update of the whole smash in my laptop once a > day, rather than waiting for a slow internet connection remotely. > It's just an idea I'm playing around with, and playing around is good > (99% of the time, anyways). I used to setup linux-based embedded systems running agetty on the serial port. That allowed us to connect to the machine with just a null-modem cable (Windows client using hyperterm usually) and login directly if the network went screwy. The thing I remember most about the whole process was that running over a serial connection was slow as molasses. You need to set a baud rate on the line (the server and client must agree on the rate) and you basically get dial-up speeds. If there is a way to coax 2Mb/s out of the thing I never found it. I have it on extremely good authority that it goes 2MB/sec. If you are looking for a linux client, look for a program called kermit. It's been at least 5 years since I last used it, but I believe that is what we used to use. I'll start looking for Kermit now. Thanks. -- == GCv3.12 == GCS d-(++) s+: a? C++ UL+> P+ L++ E--- W+(+++) N++ o? K? w--- O? M+ V? PS- PE+ Y-(--) PGP- t+++ 5? X R tv-- b+ DI+++ D+ G e* h- !r !y = END GCv3.12 -- gentoo-user@gentoo.org mailing list
Re: [gentoo-user] Null Modem Cables Between Windoze XP and Linux
On Sun, Jun 25, 2006 at 12:46:16PM -0700, Lord Sauron wrote: > I have it on extremely good authority that it goes 2MB/sec. > it's always a good thing to question authority. > I'll start looking for Kermit now. Thanks. > emerge -av kermit later, festus -- It is not unusual for those at the wrong end of the club to have a clearer picture of reality than those who wield it. Noam Chomsky pgp7AKYRGi2P9.pgp Description: PGP signature
Re: [gentoo-user] Null Modem Cables Between Windoze XP and Linux
On Sunday 25 June 2006 22:02, John J. Foster wrote: > On Sun, Jun 25, 2006 at 12:46:16PM -0700, Lord Sauron wrote: > > I have it on extremely good authority that it goes 2MB/sec. > > it's always a good thing to question authority. Well, the used protocol has to do with it too.. and what I remember from my BBS days is that kermit is extremely reliable and runs on more or less everything, but also that it does give a new meening to the word slow.. zmodem or even sealink would already improve a lot.. > > I'll start looking for Kermit now. Thanks. > > emerge -av kermit or net-dialup/lrzsz for x- yor z-modem.. (and forget x-modem.. it's as slow as..) -- Ithaka photography, http://ithaka.mine.nu/ -- gentoo-user@gentoo.org mailing list
Re: [gentoo-user] Null Modem Cables Between Windoze XP and Linux
On Sun, Jun 25, 2006 at 10:20:39PM +0200, Gerhard Hoogterp wrote: > On Sunday 25 June 2006 22:02, John J. Foster wrote: > > On Sun, Jun 25, 2006 at 12:46:16PM -0700, Lord Sauron wrote: > > > I have it on extremely good authority that it goes 2MB/sec. > > > > it's always a good thing to question authority. > > Well, the used protocol has to do with it too.. and what I remember from my > BBS days is that kermit is extremely reliable and runs on more or less > everything, but also that it does give a new meening to the word slow.. > zmodem or even sealink would already improve a lot.. > Man, this thread hurts. I _had_ forgotten fighting kermit to communicate to a Prime 650 (running Primos 18 something I think). God that was awful! later, festus -- It is not unusual for those at the wrong end of the club to have a clearer picture of reality than those who wield it. Noam Chomsky pgpIQGpL2ITSS.pgp Description: PGP signature
Re: [gentoo-user] Null Modem Cables Between Windoze XP and Linux
Minicom is also a program that works OK. Another approach would be to run ppp over the serial line and make the windows log into the Linux dial-in server. (actually its the way ISPs worked with modem users years ago) But if that's not a matter of pure testing I'd say its a waste of time for transfering files. You can make/get yourself a crossover cable and connect the machines through their LAN Cards over Ethernet at speed near 100mbits/s. It's the thing I would do. -- Best regards, Daniel -- gentoo-user@gentoo.org mailing list