Using Router console cable adaptor as Ethernet adaptor

[Factor5]

I have a console adaptor that is used to connect computers to Cisco 2500 series routers(mebbe all routers, i dont know) it connects directly to the back of the computer on the 9-pin com port, and converts to an 8-pin plug for a rollover cable on the other side. it is NOT a tranciever, just an adaptor. anyway, i was wondering if it is at all possible to use this adaptor to network an old laptop to an ethernet network. The reason for this is PCMCIA Ethernet Cards are Friggin expensive. Can someone show me how this is possible(or not possible) and/or point me to a website that has dealt with an issue similar to this. Thank you for all you time and help.

 

[Mday]

well, i can't comment on serial and ethernet. i know serial can be used as a slow networking solution.

but pc card nics are not as expensive as they used to be, and who says you have to get 3com or intel. get linksys or something...

 

[spidey07]

You need an ethernet nic to attach to an ethernet network.

 

[MadRat]

You couldn't get enough speed throuigh your serial port to emulate even 10-base-T. Just get a null modem cable and laplink the two machines.

 

[Factor5]

thats wht i thought you'd say... the laptop isnt worth buying a PCMCIA, or Laplink Cable... still looking for a "Highly Technical" answer though.

 

[Viper GTS]

The highly technical answer is that it won't work.

A NIC is more than just a physical connector, you would have to find a way to emulate a NIC, bind protocols, etc.

Viper GTS

 

[spidey07]

<< possible to use this adaptor to network an old laptop to an ethernet network >>



The real answer to your question is NO.

If you are so inclined you could hook up a serial connection to a router with an ethernet port, run PPP or SLIP over the serial and setup the serial port on the router as a ASYNC port.

PC---serial---router---enet---|

but, this still requires a ethernet NIC...it just so happens that that nic is on the router.

man would that ever be slow.

 

[Killbat]

Build yourself a null modem cable for $2.
Better yet, get a parallel cable. Late versions of Windows can network over a parallel link.

 

[Factor5]

i used my parallel cable for a keyboard mod the router idea would work... never thought of that, i got my linux box sittin right under my feet.... now... what to connect the laptop to the router with... i happen to have two of these COM-rollover connectors, if i simply put one on the laptop and one on the router, and hooked them together with a regular cat5 ethernet cable, could i not network that way?? Or would i have to change the wireing to something similar to a crossover