Path: utzoo!utgpu!watserv1!watmath!att!att!linac!pacific.mps.ohio-state.edu!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!cica!iuvax!bomgard
From: bomgard@iuvax.cs.indiana.edu (Tim Bomgardner)
Newsgroups: comp.os.msdos.programmer
Subject: Re: Networking Software Needed
Message-ID: <70266@iuvax.cs.indiana.edu>
Date: 7 Nov 90 00:09:45 GMT
Organization: Indiana University, Bloomington
Lines: 22

In article <1913@shodha.enet.dec.com> wood@drift.dec.com (John F. Wood) writes:
>
>I am looking for networking software to allow an IBM PC to connect to
>several (1-30) remote micro-controllers using a single serial port.

I haven't seen anything like this either, so I'm in the process of creating such a system for my own use.  While it will work on (almost) raw RS-232C ports,
(a diode and a couple resisters in the DB25 shell), I've already fabricated
the pc boards which will allow (for my purposes) an unlimited number of 
machines on the network (high impedance op amps = no load on the cable).
The boards almost fit in the shell, but not quite.

The software consists of a serial port driver that I am modifying for
CSMA/CD, and (still on paper) a standard OSI-type Data Link Layer. On
top of that, anything will be possible.  My intention is to add a file
server and redirector, and a Remote Procedure Call package (which is
what I'm really interested in).  At 56KBPS (maybe 115KBPS?), it isn't
exactly gonna be Ethernet (or even AppleTalk), but the network will
only cost me about $5 per node.

Let me know if you find anything to suit your requirements.  I'd be
interested in knowing what else is out there, and in any comments or
suggestions about my solution.