I am looking for a terminal server product that can map each serial port on
the terminal server to a unique IP address.   My application for this is
management of several network devices through a GUI tool that expects to
connect directly via telnet or a serial port to the device.    The
management software has no programmatic capability, so I have no way to
negotiate my way through a terminal server's selection menu.     What I need
instead is the ability to configure the management tool with a unique IP
address that will connect directly to the text stream of the device via
telnet, thereby faking out the software into thinking it has a network
connection to the device when it fact it has a serial connection.

There are situations where I cannot connect directly to the network port on
the device (such as when I'm configuring the network port or upgrading the
firmware on the network management card).   Therefore I have no choice but
to go in by serial port.

I would greatly appreciate referrals to terminal server products that have
the capability I am describing.

-- 
Will
westes AT earthbroadcast.com

CHANGE USERNAME TO westes <DELETE_westes@earthbroadcast.com> probably said:
>I am looking for a terminal server product that can map each serial port on
>the terminal server to a unique IP address.   My application for this is
>management of several network devices through a GUI tool that expects to
>connect directly via telnet or a serial port to the device.    The
>management software has no programmatic capability, so I have no way to
>negotiate my way through a terminal server's selection menu.     What I need
>instead is the ability to configure the management tool with a unique IP
>address that will connect directly to the text stream of the device via
>telnet, thereby faking out the software into thinking it has a network
>connection to the device when it fact it has a serial connection.
>
>There are situations where I cannot connect directly to the network port on
>the device (such as when I'm configuring the network port or upgrading the
>firmware on the network management card).   Therefore I have no choice but
>to go in by serial port.
>
>I would greatly appreciate referrals to terminal server products that have
>the capability I am describing.

Cisco terminal servers (routers with lots of async lines) can be
configured to do this. You set them up to connect a port to a serial
line like this;

  line 1 5
   transport input telnet
   no exec
   login
   flowcontrol hardware
   parity none
   databits 8
   speed 9600
   stopbits 1

and then alias an IP to those ports like this;

  ip alias 192.168.3.101 2001
  ip alias 192.168.3.102 2002
  ip alias 192.168.3.103 2003
  ip alias 192.168.3.104 2004
  ip alias 192.168.3.105 2005

P.

-- 
pir

"CHANGE USERNAME TO westes" <DELETE_westes@earthbroadcast.com> wrote in
message news:RNydnfysJP88TWyiRVn-jg@giganews.com...
> I am looking for a terminal server product that can map each serial port
on
> the terminal server to a unique IP address.   My application for this is
> management of several network devices through a GUI tool that expects to
> connect directly via telnet or a serial port to the device.    The
> management software has no programmatic capability, so I have no way to
> negotiate my way through a terminal server's selection menu.     What I
need
> instead is the ability to configure the management tool with a unique IP
> address that will connect directly to the text stream of the device via
> telnet, thereby faking out the software into thinking it has a network
> connection to the device when it fact it has a serial connection.
>
> There are situations where I cannot connect directly to the network port
on
> the device (such as when I'm configuring the network port or upgrading the
> firmware on the network management card).   Therefore I have no choice but
> to go in by serial port.
>
> I would greatly appreciate referrals to terminal server products that have
> the capability I am describing.
>

Can you specify a port number as well as an IP address, e.g. 192.168.3.45
Port 2001 or do you need individual IP addresses?

"CHANGE USERNAME TO westes" <DELETE_westes@earthbroadcast.com> writes:
>I am looking for a terminal server product that can map each serial port on
>the terminal server to a unique IP address.   My application for this is
>management of several network devices through a GUI tool that expects to
>connect directly via telnet or a serial port to the device.    The
>management software has no programmatic capability, so I have no way to
>negotiate my way through a terminal server's selection menu.     What I need
>instead is the ability to configure the management tool with a unique IP
>address that will connect directly to the text stream of the device via
>telnet, thereby faking out the software into thinking it has a network
>connection to the device when it fact it has a serial connection.
>

Can't you configure the management software to use different TCP
port numbers in the telnet command?  Many terminal servers will
connect you to a different port for each TCP port number.  (e.g.
TCP port 5001 = serial port 1, TCP port 5002 = serial port 2, etc.)
Fewer terminal servers will assign a unique IP address to each
serial port.

  -Greg
-- 
Do NOT reply via e-mail.
Reply in the newsgroup.

"Patrick Kelly" <nospamminggitspaidsergrey@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:<OplIb.2539$HR.6314@news.indigo.ie>...
> "CHANGE USERNAME TO westes" <DELETE_westes@earthbroadcast.com> wrote in
> message news:RNydnfysJP88TWyiRVn-jg@giganews.com...
> > I am looking for a terminal server product that can map each serial port
>  on
> > the terminal server to a unique IP address.   My application for this is
> > management of several network devices through a GUI tool that expects to
> > connect directly via telnet or a serial port to the device.    The
> > management software has no programmatic capability, so I have no way to
> > negotiate my way through a terminal server's selection menu.     What I
>  need
> > instead is the ability to configure the management tool with a unique IP
> > address that will connect directly to the text stream of the device via
> > telnet, thereby faking out the software into thinking it has a network
> > connection to the device when it fact it has a serial connection.
> >
> > There are situations where I cannot connect directly to the network port
>  on
> > the device (such as when I'm configuring the network port or upgrading the
> > firmware on the network management card).   Therefore I have no choice but
> > to go in by serial port.
> >
> > I would greatly appreciate referrals to terminal server products that have
> > the capability I am describing.
> >
> 
> Can you specify a port number as well as an IP address, e.g. 192.168.3.45
> Port 2001 or do you need individual IP addresses?

cyclades-TS series

www.cyclades.com


dickson

"Dickson Law" <dklaw1968@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:10c03178.0312302230.6849c21e@posting.google.com...
> > Can you specify a port number as well as an IP address, e.g.
192.168.3.45
> > Port 2001 or do you need individual IP addresses?
>
> cyclades-TS series
>
> www.cyclades.com
>

Bah!   Cisco has done this thing for over 15 years! 8-)

You can access individual serial ports as a specific IP address with no port
(eg default port 23) or by their default port numbers (20xx).  You can also
group ports in a rotary.  What exactly do you want to do?

"Greg Andrews" <gerg@panix.com> wrote in message
news:bsta8p$o81$1@reader2.panix.com...
> Can't you configure the management software to use different TCP
> port numbers in the telnet command?  Many terminal servers will
> connect you to a different port for each TCP port number.  (e.g.
> TCP port 5001 = serial port 1, TCP port 5002 = serial port 2, etc.)
> Fewer terminal servers will assign a unique IP address to each
> serial port.

But the Cisco will.  The "ip alias" command is your friend 8-)

What are some specific Cisco model numbers that would include an option for
a single RJ-45 for ethernet and at least eight asynch serial ports?

I noted the 2509 through 2512 series, but they all seem to use the old-style
AUI ethernet which I would rather not deal with.

-- 
Will
westes AT earthbroadcast.com


"Peter Radcliffe" <30$12$f3i99le@pir.net> wrote in message
news:bssjrr$191$1@moek.pir.net...
> CHANGE USERNAME TO westes <DELETE_westes@earthbroadcast.com> probably
said:
> >I am looking for a terminal server product that can map each serial port
on
> >the terminal server to a unique IP address.   My application for this is
>
> Cisco terminal servers (routers with lots of async lines) can be
> configured to do this. You set them up to connect a port to a serial
> line like this;
>
> P.
>
> -- 
> pir

CHANGE USERNAME TO westes <DELETE_westes@earthbroadcast.com> probably said:
>What are some specific Cisco model numbers that would include an option for
>a single RJ-45 for ethernet and at least eight asynch serial ports?
>
>I noted the 2509 through 2512 series, but they all seem to use the old-style
>AUI ethernet which I would rather not deal with.

Any of the later modular routers (26xx, 36xx, 37xx, etc) with at least
one 32 port async NM card. They have built in 10/100 ether with RJ-45
ports.

We use 2621XMs with one card in low density areas and 3725s with
multiple cards in high density areas but we still have some older
style 2511s in older locations.

Exactly what router you want from that range depend on how many lines
you need, how many ethernet ports you need, etc. You may be able to
get away with a 2601 plus async card.

P.

-- 
pir

"CHANGE USERNAME TO westes" <DELETE_westes@earthbroadcast.com> writes:
>What are some specific Cisco model numbers that would include an option for
>a single RJ-45 for ethernet and at least eight asynch serial ports?

>I noted the 2509 through 2512 series, but they all seem to use the old-style
>AUI ethernet which I would rather not deal with.


Those are all old EOL devices as well. Now-a-days, you would be
looking at some of the modular line, with an add in card. 

Something like the 2610XM with the NM-8A/S or NM-16A or NM-32A is what
you would be looking for. You could probably get pretty extreme
density on a 3745 with several NM-32A cards in it, although its not
exactly cheap. 

-- 
Doug McIntyre						merlyn@visi.com
                   Network Engineer/Jack of All Trades
                      Vector Internet Services, Inc.

In article <obGdnTkhc64djm6iRVn-vA@giganews.com>,
	"CHANGE USERNAME TO westes" <DELETE_westes@earthbroadcast.com> writes:
> What are some specific Cisco model numbers that would include an option for
> a single RJ-45 for ethernet and at least eight asynch serial ports?
An STS-10x : >

> I noted the 2509 through 2512 series, but they all seem to use the old-style
> AUI ethernet which I would rather not deal with.
An AUI - RJ45 transceiver is all you need..

to easy....check out
http://www.moxa.com/product/Serial_Device_Servers/8_16_Port/index.htm
"CHANGE USERNAME TO westes" <DELETE_westes@earthbroadcast.com> wrote in
message news:RNydnfysJP88TWyiRVn-jg@giganews.com...
> I am looking for a terminal server product that can map each serial port
on
> the terminal server to a unique IP address.   My application for this is
> management of several network devices through a GUI tool that expects to
> connect directly via telnet or a serial port to the device.    The
> management software has no programmatic capability, so I have no way to
> negotiate my way through a terminal server's selection menu.     What I
need
> instead is the ability to configure the management tool with a unique IP
> address that will connect directly to the text stream of the device via
> telnet, thereby faking out the software into thinking it has a network
> connection to the device when it fact it has a serial connection.
>
> There are situations where I cannot connect directly to the network port
on
> the device (such as when I'm configuring the network port or upgrading the
> firmware on the network management card).   Therefore I have no choice but
> to go in by serial port.
>
> I would greatly appreciate referrals to terminal server products that have
> the capability I am describing.
>
> --
> Will
> westes AT earthbroadcast.com
>
>

Mr. Wattie, you're not suggesting a MOXA ? Great device, though. 
(I thought they were our own little secret !)
Good to see you here, mang.
Give me a call or drop me a line
M�


"The Wattie's" <ewattie@rogers.com> wrote in message news:<W_mPb.72794$nl2.23644@news01.bloor.is.net.cable.rogers.com>...
> to easy....check out
> http://www.moxa.com/product/Serial_Device_Servers/8_16_Port/index.htm

I have used the newer Lantronix console servers, they can do that and also
are sun certified if also connecting to sun boxes.


"Mike" <teknomike@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:69b30828.0401221827.3dfa80bd@posting.google.com...
> Mr. Wattie, you're not suggesting a MOXA ? Great device, though.
> (I thought they were our own little secret !)
> Good to see you here, mang.
> Give me a call or drop me a line
> M�
>
>
> "The Wattie's" <ewattie@rogers.com> wrote in message
news:<W_mPb.72794$nl2.23644@news01.bloor.is.net.cable.rogers.com>...
> > to easy....check out
> > http://www.moxa.com/product/Serial_Device_Servers/8_16_Port/index.htm

If you are looking for a stand alone cost effective device go with
Lantronix.

If you have a spare PC and a couple of bucks there are lots of
alternatives.
I have a 200 mhz junker, we bought an 8 port pci card that connects to
a mutli-serial port device. We plug the com ports from the PBX,
Meridian Mail, ACD MAX and CCR into these ports.

Then we use a software package that does what you are looking for, it
acts as a proxy between the serial ports and telnet.

We set up the com device and it defaults to ports 3 through 10.
Then we configure the server software to run those ports as telnet and
use the PC's IP and tcp port 2001 through 2008.

The big thing that is missing from the server software we chose is
security, if you close the telnet and leave the device logged on (like
the pbx or meridian mail) someone coming up behind you on those
telnets ports is in.

One cool thing about the server software we chose, each serial port
can be configured as a poor mans multi-user, it can be one person
only, or first one connected can read/write and others can watch, or
all can read/write to the same port/session. Works great when we are
telecommuting and showing someone else how to do something in the
switch when they are located somewhere else. I am always typing over
fat fingered admins correcting their mistakes and getting them back on
track in the switch.

We are writing our own telnet to serial converter now, we already have
software we have built that will parse the switch database into
MS-Access and allows for scripting via Visual Basic over serial or
telnet (MUCH better than lowly procomm plus scripting as your scripts
are driven by data and data queries.)

With a donated PC the hardware and software to serve 8 serial ports
via telnet will run under 600.00.

If you want, there is a cheaper way, there is a software package from
North Africa that used to be free, they sold it to someone and now
they want a couple of bucks for it. I have a copy of the free version
and it can be used in a commercial app without license violation. The
only difference I saw between these two versions is the new guy
snazzed up the GUI but overall made no other changes. He claimed the
new one supports mutli-com ports, but I found the free one does two if
you copy it into different directories so each has it's own INI file
and you hack the files and manaully enter the com port info in them.

The free South African software is called IPCOM server, but you won't
find the free version anywhere, but I can legally give it to you
according to the license, if you want to play with that approach let
me know and I'll put it on a webserver somewhere that it can be
donwloaded from.

I also have written software that will allow you to get to your serial
port via a web browser, basically, you donate a junk pc, a 133 mhz
will work, it will need an internet connection, internet explorer, and
a serial port.

I/O from the com port is relayed by the pc to the website of your
choice as both ASP and text pages. Logging onto the website allows
your to interact with the switch like you do from your console. It
even allows parsing, we have had CDR and other messages and maint
operations over the same port, and when dumped on the web site they
are parsed into different windows (of course, I wouldn't recommend
having CDR run over the main terminal all the time).

This interaction is Near Real Time, unlike when you talk via console
where ech character you type is sent as pressed, the website sends
whatever you type once you press enter, but if you are looking for a
way to get to your site from anywhere regardless of firewall rules
this works. If the pc can surf the web then it has all the network
rights needed to get the switch I/O on the web.

I also have hacked Call Pilots web interface, we can now perform bulk
changes to users mail boxes like changing all of them to autoplay or
keeping the names in the switch, cdr billing system and call pilot in
synch with a single data source.

Also, if you are looking for a client for telnet, use hyperterminal,
it is already installed on your Windows PC, it won't do VT220 though
so you can't use it for Meridian Mail, UNLESS, you go to
hyperterminal's website and download the PERSONAL edition, it has 220
and 320 emulation, the catch is you are only supposed to install it on
a PC that YOU own. wink wink, something in my eye...