Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!seismo!ut-sally!ut-ngp!shell!graffiti!bruce
From: bruce@graffiti.UUCP (Bruce Jilek)
Newsgroups: net.dcom
Subject: Can anyone recommend a port sharing device?
Message-ID: <112@graffiti.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 20-Feb-86 00:29:37 EST
Article-I.D.: graffiti.112
Posted: Thu Feb 20 00:29:37 1986
Date-Received: Mon, 24-Feb-86 04:58:40 EST
Distribution: net
Organization: Information Brokerage Network, Houston, TX
Lines: 32

Pardon my ignorance, but....

Does anyone know of a device that will allow a computer with a 
limited number of serial ports support a larger number of devices
by allocating ports based on a first come first served basis?

Example:
            

                                                 
+-----+    +---+-----------------------------------------------> Term
|     |--->|P E|------------------------------------------> Term
|     |    |o x|-------------------------------------> Term
|  C  |--->|r p|--------------------------------> Term
|  P  |    |t a|----------------------------> Term
|  U  |--->|  n|-----------------------> Term
|     |    |  d|------------------> Term
|     |--->|  e|-------------> Term
+-----+    |  r|--------> Term
           +---+----> Term

4 Serial ---> 10 Serial  Only 4 active at a given time, 10 available
  Ports          Ports   for use to expand terminal locations.

Is this the domain of:
	a) A multiplexier?
	b) A smart swithcbox?
	c) A PACX (whatever that is)?
	d) A PBX?
	e) The Bagwan Rajneesh?

What kind of cost is involved in doing something like this?