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Network Adapter?

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11 replies

by bluhippo

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I am trying to setup a serial connection between two NT 4.0 machines. Currently I am using the Loop Back adapter in the network setup to attempt connection. Does this work? Or is there a better adapter I should be using. Mind there is no ethernet cable being used here ONLY a serial cable between two machines.

Thank you

11 replies

by erikdr

a) Will not work that way. Loopback means a local test inside one (Ethernet) adapter.
b) Dunno of any way you can use this serial cable for NETWORKING. You can configure NT for 'direct cable connection' and then use it for file transfer and a few other options.
When you want to use networking, use Ethernet cards. They, in turn (supposed they are 10BaseT only - that is a phone jack connection), can be connected using a crossover cable instead of a full hub connection.

At your service,

- The Netherlands

by bluhippo

I know that most IT's would never setup systems this way. And therefore I know most of us do not have allot of experience in this area. I have searched several sites looking for information and can only find a smatering of articals that even addressserial connectivity but none completely. So I do appreciate any answer. Thank you

by ann777

1) loopback will not work
2) serial cable between two computers will work --it's slow though (www.laplink.com)
3) you might try the parallel connection on the two computers with the appropirate cable and software ( www.laplink.com )

Laplink comes with both a serial cable and a parallel cable for transferring between two computers:

"Use the Included Cables to Create a Personal Area Network --You’ll find two cables already inside the box! Try the LapLink serial cable for file transfer speeds up to 0.4 Mbps between Windows XP, Me, 2000, 98, 95, and NT 4.0 PCs. And rely on the LapLink parallel cable for transfer speeds up to 0.7 Mbps for Windows Me, 98, and 95 PCs. Use our optional high-speed LapLink USB Network cable for fast file transfers – up to 5 Mbps – between Windows XP, Me, 2000, and 98 PCs."

Note that they do exclude the USB option from
working or compatible on WinNT boxes.

by o-o-o

I'm sorry I don't know which adapter is best to use, but I do want to mention to make sure you're using a null modem cable.

Hope this helps!

o-o-o

by prunsky

use a cross over cable and static ip's in each machine. This works great you will have a true 100mb conection between them.

by shanghai sam

I know exactly what you are doing. I am doing it.

Using Loopback will not work. You need a crossover RS232 serial link cable(some call it null modem cable. Pin 1,2,3,6 to Pin 1,3,2,6 on 9 or 25 pin DIN connectors) and connect serial port( some call it com1: com2: symbol "1010"). Configure first in Control Panel/Ports, use default ioport and irq, set to highest possible baud rate. Pretend you are installing a modem, Configure a Modem in Control Panel and you will find a Direct connect cable. Do these on both machines. Try configure a dial-up and select the dummy modem, select the highest baudrate, iff you have 16550 UART with most builtin motherboards. You may have to lower speed if found error because of distance. You may run this100 ft with properly shielded Cat3 STP cables. Remember to install Remote Access Services on the Network/Service tab and on the RAS property/configure, select appropriately which "dial" in/out simply select Both in and out.

Remember this connection is painfully slow and use it occasionally for file transfer and resources sharing(you can stack both NETBEUI and TCP/IP)

If you run W2K, you can also use parallel printer cable. I assume you want no internal installation such as NIC nor softwares such as laplink. So this is it, a poor man's link.

Good luck

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