[TriLUG] modem-to-modem connections, perle STS16

[Dewey Hylton]

> From: "Bill Farrow" <bill at arrowsreach.com>
> Sent: Tuesday, January 8, 2013 1:50:50 PM
> 
> On Tue, Jan 8, 2013 at 12:38 PM, Dewey Hylton <plug at hyltown.com>
> wrote:
> > placing a null-modem adapter between the perle adapter and its
> > modem causes the
> > modem's lights to blink erratically, and it fails to answer calls.
> >
> > where are you recommending that i place the null modem
> > adapter/cable? or am i
> > misunderstanding your message?
> 
> I had no idea what a perle is, but from your description sounded like
> a serial concentrator.  These systems can come with cables that are
> designed to connect to either DTE (terminal) or DCE (modem).  A quick
> way to test if it is DTE or DCE is to drop in a null-modem adaptor
> and
> see if it starts working.  This is typically faster than digging up
> specifications for the equipment at both ends.
> 
> Bill

got it. the perle sts16 is a device which provides access to serial
ports (16, in my case) over the network or other method. in my case,
i ssh into the perle and select a port corresponding to the unix serial
console i'd like access to. but having these as far away as california,
i wanted another way to gain access in case the internet link went down
or something.

http://www.perle.com/products/IOLAN-STS-Terminal-Server.shtml

i'm pretty sure there's no need for a null modem cable in my case. :)

unfortunately getting answers from their tech group requires a paid
maintenance contract, which i do not yet have. i've started that ball
rolling, though, as i'm missing something and cannot put my finger on
it.