Xref: utzoo comp.misc:7228 comp.sys.ibm.pc:37249
Path: utzoo!attcan!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!usc!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!microsoft!clayj
From: clayj@microsoft.UUCP (Clay Jackson)
Newsgroups: comp.misc,comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: Serial Network
Keywords: rs232 network
Message-ID: <8501@microsoft.UUCP>
Date: 30 Oct 89 16:56:49 GMT
Organization: Microsoft Corp., Redmond WA
Lines: 24

I have what I don't think is a very unique problem, but I can't seem to
find a commerical solution:

I have about 8 different devices that I need to communicate with from my
PS/2 clone (Tandy 5000MC).  These devices (including a two modems, a 
ham radio packet controller, a clock and some others) all have serial (RS-232)
connections.  Rather than tie up every slot in my system with serial boards,
I'd like to get some sort of "black box" that I can hang on ONE serial
port, which would then accept some sort of command telling it "connect me
to device xxx".  A manual switchbox is out, since I want to be able to switch
devices under program control.  A nice feature (although not a requirement)
would be the ability of the box to "listen" and send some sort of message
back to the host if one of the devices sent a signal.

Does anyone know of such a device?  Hopefully something reasonably priced
(<$800)?

Please respond via email, if anyone wants a copy of the responses, let
me know.

Thanks!

Clay Jackson
Microsoft