Device allows remote asynchronous LAN connectivity

Computer/Embedded Technology

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15 August 2001 Computer/Embedded Technology

Remote asynchronous LAN connectivity has become a reality with the introduction of Digi's PortServer II by SPS South Africa, a value-added-reseller of Digi's products in this country.

"Many companies wish to avoid the expense and system downtime inherent in card changes inside their servers, but still want their LANs to be available to remotely situated sales representative or executives," says Gawie Basson, Senior Pre-Sales Engineer, Digi products at SPS.

"The PortServer II plugs onto the LAN, not into the server, and gives instant multiport connectivity on a hot-swappable basis, with no downtime and no technical expenses," he says. "PortServer II is ideal for connecting cash registers to a host in point-of-sale (POS) applications, and connecting terminals in database applications such as travel reservations and information services. It is also a smart solution for kiosk management applications and small ISPs. It provides 64 high-speed serial port connection to any TCP/IP Ethernet network, supporting asynchronous terminals, modems, printers and other serial devices."

Being hardware independent it also allows users to access any type of networked server supporting TCP/IP. The software shipped with the PortServer II, RealPort, provides local serial port functionality as well as incoming and outgoing Rlogin and Telnet sessions on each port. The RealPort drivers can be used for Windows NT, Novell, NetWare Connect. Heterogeneous networks with different operating systems running TCP/IP are also accommodated.

"PortServer II supports industry-standard network management using the simple network management protocol (SNMP) with MIB-II," continues Basson. "Character and EIA-232 MIBs are also supported, a real advantage when diagnosing modem or port problems. A detailed event log reports usage, diagnostic data and configuration change information."

Serial line Internet protocol (SLIP), compressed SLIP (CSLIP) and point-to-point protocol (PPP) are all supported to provide remote users with access to the corporate LANs or the Internet. Both IP dial-in and dial-out are supported with dynamic address assignment.

Each of the 64 ports can be individually password protected and password authentication protocol (PAP) encrypts sensitive passwords. Challenge handshake authentication protocol (CHAP) verifies user IDs at irregular intervals in a challenge and response method and a security event log records failed login attempts.

For further information contact Gawie Basson, SPS, (011) 315 6892, [email protected]

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