I had lots of people ask for the summary so I am sending it to the list, and
to the individuals who specifically asked for it (sorry for the
duplication).
While this might seem late for a summary, It has taken some time to talk to
different companies and get a feel for how their products work, etc.
I would like to thank all the people who sent in suggestions to me. Way too
many to list here!
I was encouraged to see such a "demand" for this old technology.
Unfortunately selection is dwendeling, and this trend does not seem to favor
me.
The information that I gathered is still high level, as I have not received
any units for actual testing, and have only been able to talk technical with
a few of the compaines. But here goes...
My need:
A terminal server that has between 16 and 32 ports to connect serial
devices, create a telnet listener port to the serial port and then utilize a
home grown application to monitor this port for data. Additionally, I
wanted to be able to monitor what is coming and going on the port while
still maintaining the applications connection to the port. ( My 3Com
Communication Servers do this) I do not have need for LAT in this
application.
That said (in no particular order)...
Cisco - Access Server 2500 Series - I have been able to get little
information on this device, I do not live in a large area, and I have been
waiting for day's to get a call from our local reseller. Information on the
web-site is the best I could do, so far.
http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/44/jump/access_servers.shtml
Lucent - Livingston Enterprises - Port Master 2 - These come in a variety of
port configurations. The sales and technical support was good, I received
prompt call backs and was able to get techies to answer questions. The
telnet port listeners is no problem, but monitoring an active port does not
work.
The PMZE-10 (10 port) lists at $2695 ======== The PMZE-20 (20 port) lists
at $3295
www.lucent.com/ins/products/portmaster2.html
Emulex - Performance 2500 Communication Server - Was told by sales that
terminal server line is discontinued, they have product and will honor
warranty, but that is it.
www.emulex.com/cs/cs-2500.html
Stallion - EZ/IO and Easyserver 2 - I was able to talk to sales and their
easyserver-2 does seem that is would do the job, I was not able to speak
with any one overly technical about my monitoring question, but liked the
enthusiam of the sales group. The EZ/IO is a PCI or ISA card that goes in
the pc and provides for up to 64 ports. This was something to think about -
lines running to the machine doing the collecting - removing the physical
server from the equation...
http://www.stallion.com/html/products/index.html
N-Base-Xyplex MaxServer 1600 Series - I am giving the link to their site - I
called the phone number listed in the contact us on their site - I pressed 1
for sales and get a message that says - "No one is available to take my
call, leave message and they will get back to my within an hour" - I did not
leave my name and number - I already own obsolete equipment, no need to buy
new soon-to-be-obsolete, out of business equipment.
http://www.nbase-xyplex.com/products/access_server/maxserver_series.cfm
Nortel - Bay Networks MicroAnnex Server - Was only able to get sales, not
very excited - I asked my usual questions, got alot of I don't know, it
should, which is okay with me - IF you then pass me along to a technical
group - they had no interest in doing this - gave me pricing however...
The MicroAnnex XL - 8 (8 port) - $2925 ======== The MicroAnnex XL - 16
(16port) - $3185
I am unable to provide anything additional
http://www.nortelnetworks.com/products/alpha/range1.html Then select
communication servers (I could not find it cleanly - only through search,
and
then it had a mile of numbers and letters, so this way works)
Lantronix LRS16F & LRS32F and ETS16P & ETS32PR and MSS100 - By far the
friendlest and most helpful overall. Called sales was given basic
information about the servers, I was asked if I needed PPP, when I said no,
I was told that the ETS line was what I needed then (not the more expensive
LRS which has PPP support). Basic questions were answered, and technical
support was conferenced in to handle the port monitoring question. They told
me that they would call me back and did within 2 hours. They are not able
to do the port monitoring. They also have a device called the MSS100, which
kind of works in reverse- You can load a c program into the MSS100 and have
a host list of up to 12 and the box will send your data to any or all
addresses in the list. Kind of interesting, but a bit pricy at $500 for the
1 port server. I liked what Lantronix had to offer. I have never done
business with them before, but am considering it.
http://www.lantronix.com/products/
I did not include Compaq on this list - I felt that we all know about the
good old DECServer!
I hope this helps!
There may be more companies making terminal servers,
John Joehnk
Scroll Technologies
Received on Mon Jul 10 2000 - 16:54:07 NZST