Serial Networks

From: Sam Ismail <dastar_at_wco.com>
Date: Tue Dec 9 23:49:15 1997

On Mon, 8 Dec 1997, Zeus334 wrote:

> I don't have access to network cards (except maybe ARCNet, which I couldn't
> run on my P*****), and I was wondering if there is a way to have a transparent
> null modem-based network. IE, could I connect two computers with a null modem,
> and then change to the other computer's drive by typing x: (or mount
> /dev/hdxxx, or whatever).

Yeah, you can use the INTERSVR program that was introduced in DOS 6.0 (or
LapLink...even better but I don't have a whole lot of experience using
it).

On one system you run INTERSVR.EXE (your server) and on the other system
you have to add

DEVICE=C:\DOS\INTERLNK.EXE

to your CONFIG.SYS file (your client). You then re-boot your client and
when it comes up it will automatically sense the server on the other side
of the [serial port|parallel port] and will mount all of its drives as
drives on your client. So if you have an A: and C: drive, it will map the
server's drive(s) as D:, E:, etc.

I recommend using the parallel port as the transfer rate is 10Mbps
(effectively same as thin ethernet...at least this is what I've always
thought to be true). You'll need to get a laplink cable for this.
Otherwise you can run it over a serial port at up to 115Kbps, and of
course you'll need a null modem cable.

Uh oh, this is starting to turn into a PC tips&tricks discussion.


Sam Alternate e-mail: dastar_at_siconic.com
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Received on Tue Dec 09 1997 - 23:49:15 GMT

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