Serial Ports

Serial ports use a standard communication protocol to transmit information bit-by-bit over a single line. Included in AdminSuite's Serial Ports application are tools and templates for configuring serial ports for alphanumeric terminals and dial in, dial out, and bi-directional modems.

Ports are channels through which devices (alphanumeric terminals, plotters, modems, etc.) communicate with the Solaris operating environment. They consist of hardware, the "receptacle" into which a terminal or modem may be plugged, and software, in the form of device drivers.

You can configure modems in three ways:

Dial Out -- The modem can reach the outside world, but no one can dial in.
Dial In -- Remote sites can reach the system, but the computer cannot reach the outside.
Bi-directional -- Communication is both ways.

Modems and terminals gain access to computing resources by means of the serial port software. A particular service is set up for the device attached to the port. When the port is in operation, port monitor software continuously listens for requests to log on, or to access printers or files. When a port monitor detects a request, it sets parameters to establish communication between the operating system and the device requesting service. The port monitor then transfers control to processes that provide the required services.

To begin administering an existing serial port, click Serial Ports in the left side of the AdminSuite window. Select the port you want to configure and follow the context-sensitive help.