This kind of device is great, works fine, but hold on to your wallet! I'd look
on epaY for something like this... If bought new, it'll cost more than the
KS...
Don

Graham

--
"The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who
have not got it."
-George Bernard Shaw

Dr. Don Latham AJ7LL
Six Mile Systems LLC
17850 Six Mile Road
Huson, MT, 59846
mail:  POBox 404
Frenchtown MT 59834-0404
VOX 406-626-4304
Skype: buffler2
www.lightningforensics.com
www.sixmilesystems.com

I haven't used this particular model.  I have used similar units from
Systech, purchased on eBay for less than $30 US.  They work quite well.
Some of them have selectable RS-232/RS-485 outputs.  I've successfully
used both types of outputs.

The only problem I've had was the initial configuration.  The trick is
to configure the serial ports as a "Reverse Telnet" server.

Search eBay for "terminal server".  You can also search the Time Nuts
list, they were discussed a few years ago.

Brent

On 11/22/2014 3:47 PM, Graham wrote:

Hi

If you go the auction site route, be careful of the boxes that have a password on them that can not easily be reset. Back when they were new, a trip back to the factory would reset the password. These days - no more support on the older boxes. The same caution applies to some of the older Cisco boxes.

Most times, a quick look at the manual will bring up a warning if it’s a a box with a “forever” password.

That said, these are really boring boxes to watch. Once they are set up, they loose their “see what it’s doing” appeal pretty fast. The exception to that might be the status lights. I’d bet the as yet un-traced out opto isolator outputs would help with a remote alarm of some sort.

Bob

On Sat, Nov 22, 2014 at 2:47 PM, Graham planophore@aei.ca wrote:

They are called a "terminal server".  It's a box with some serial ports and
one Ethernet port.  You access each port via "telent protocol".  You can
buy these surplus on eBay or you can MAKE one very easy.  All you need is
any kind of small computer, a 10 year old notebook PC, a Rasbury Pi, or
whatever, so long as it has both a network and a serial port.  Run a Telnet
SSH server on this and you are on-line and can access the device from any
place on Earth.    I would not buy a small computer for this but if you
have one already then it is free.

Telnet is very old.  I remember using it first in the late 1970's back when
the "Internet" was still called the "Darpa Net" and it only connected a few
dozen computers.

--

Chris Albertson
Redondo Beach, California

Thanks all for the replies.  After a couple of replies and the reference
to "terminal server" a light bulb came on and put it all into
perspective, including a vague recollection of some previous postings.

cheers, Graham ve3gtc

On 2014-11-22 19:59, Chris Albertson wrote:

Graham,

There are a number of WiFi to serial modules like the one I use on my Thunderbolt monitor: The Microchip WiFly RN-XV-171. Once configured (typically using a PC), they will present a TCPIP port (TCP or UDP) from which you can get and send data directly to the serial port.

Alternately, you can use Digi XBee modules that work like wireless RS232 isolators. I use the XSC Pro 900 MHz for a number of projects, including data loggers that are out of WiFi range. You can get well over a mile in open space with those. They are limited to 19200 bauds at the most.

Didier KO4BB

On November 22, 2014 4:47:15 PM CST, Graham planophore@aei.ca wrote:

--
Sent from my Motorola Droid Razr HD 4G LTE wireless tracker while I do other things.

Thanks Didier,

Good suggestions and I have been considering something similar.

cheers, Graham ve3gtc

On 2014-11-23 13:26, Didier Juges wrote:

Didier has a good suggestion as to the serial to Wifi adapter. I may
order one for my Z3801. Looking on Amazon, I see these two units that
are more reasonably priced:

http://www.amazon.com/Keynice-Ethernet-Intelligent-Communication-Wireless/dp/B00JTUVA0G/ref=pd_sim_sbs_e_1?ie=UTF8

http://www.amazon.com/Ethernet-Serial-RS232-RS485-Converter/dp/B00ATV2DX2/ref=pd_cp_pc_1

Joe Gray
W5JG

On Sun, Nov 23, 2014 at 11:59 AM, Graham planophore@aei.ca wrote:

If you feel like building :

http://www.ti.com/tool/tida-00226

You can integrate that further than a cots one

On Sunday, November 23, 2014, Joseph Gray jgray@zianet.com wrote: