NEXTSTEP for Intel Processors

Title: Serial Port Connectivity
Entry Number: 1208
Last Updated: <<Date June 17, 1997>>

Product Vendor: NA

Keywords: Serial, Port, Connectivity

Usage Commentary:
NEXTSTEP Releases 3.1 and 3.2 currently support two serial ports. You can use these ports to connect modems, mice, laptops, terminals and other peripherals.

The serial driver in Releases 3.1 and 3.2 for Intel Processors utilizes the FIFO buffer on the 16550 high speed serial controller chip.

Release 3.1:
A new serial driver is available from NeXTanswers via anonymous FTP (ftp.next.com) or Internet e-mail (nextanswers@next.com). Request document numbers 1327_SerialPortDriver.pkg.compressed, and 1326_SerialPortDriver.ReadMe.rtf. This update provides enhanced functionality and greater robustness. Install this update if you are going to use the serial port. This driver is included with the NEXTSTEP Release 3.2 User CD.

Setup and Installation:
Use the hardware or software tools provided with your system to configure the first serial port to IRQ 4, port 0x3f8 and the second serial port to IRQ 3, port 0x2f8.

Known Problems:
Release 3.1:

The Releases 3.1 serial port driver may become unreliable at speeds above 19,200 baud. A bug in this driver may cause your computer to crash when serial port activity goes above an undetermined threshhold.

Release 3.3:

For NEXTSTEP 3.3, see NeXTanswers documents 1948_SerialPorts_Driver_Overview.rtf 1947_Port_Server_Driver_Overview.rtf 1945_Serial_Pointing_Device_Driver_Overview.rtf