setting up a serial network for my old laptops

[cj]

Brian McKee wrote:
> On 17/07/07, cj <debiani386 at gmail.com> wrote:
>   
>> Brian McKee wrote:
>>     
>>> On Sat, 2007-14-07 at 20:40 -0600, cj wrote:
>>>
>>>       
>>>> All i need
>>>> to do now is set up a serial network so i can interface this computer
>>>> with my old laptop. Im just wondering, how do i set one up so i can
>>>> connect to this computer via DCC?
>>>>
>>>>         
>>> I'm not sure what you mean by DCC, but as far as getting a serial
>>> connection - just start a getty on ttyS0.   In dapper there's even an
>>> example in the /etc/inittab file ready to be uncommented.
>>>
>>> If you're using a more recent Ubuntu take a look at the archives.  I saw
>>> a thread here this month discussing how to do it with upstart...
>>>       
>
>   
>> ok getty didnt work. getty didnt return an error message, but my win95
>> machine isnt connecting. im sure that teh cable is ok and both my serial
>> ports are functioning fine. Direct cable connection is ok too
>>     
>
> Well - getty has been doing that job since before Windows existed.
> Gotta be something you are doing I'm afraid.  Are you sure the serial
> cable has pins 2+3 swapped i.e. it's a null modem cable...  and you've
> got matching speed bits and parity?   You said it's an Ubuntu server.
> Are you using Hyperterm/Windows or Minicom/Linux or ? on the laptop
> end?
>
> Brian
>
>   
on the laptop, im trying to connect and setup a _serial network_ using 
windows 95's direct cable connection (which establishes a serial 
connection between two computers and treats the serial cable as a 
ethernet cable).

to use DCC (Direct cable connection), you have to have a cross over 
cable (aka laplink cable or null modem cable (where pins 2 and 3 are 
swapped)).

one thing i didnt try when i tried getty was setting the parity (stupid 
me), im gonna try getty again WITH the parity.

--cj