From: d10590@tanus.oz.au (Robert Chalmers)
Newsgroups: comp.os.coherent
Subject: COM1..4 setup/addition to FAQ
Date: 22 Aug 92 05:45:09 GMT
Organization: Pro-Net Australia

Apart from the following information, the biggest problem is the init strings
set to yo~rur modem by /etc/modemcap.
Problems with the ports under Coherent seem to be the biggest
single cause for concern that users have, at least initially.
In an attempt to help, I have put together the following information
based on my setup, which I think is not too different from the 'norm'.
Coherent V4.0/4.01.

Firstly:
If you follow the installation instructions, and choose their defaults,
you will end up with a ttys file very similar to the following.

	0lPcom1l <--|
	0lPcom2l    | -- The four standard COM1, COM2,
	0lPcom3l    |	 COM3 & COM4 ports. NOT CONFIGURED.
	0lPcom4l <--|    See the notes below for configuration.
	1lPmono0 <--|
	1lPmono1    | -- The terminal virtual consoles.
	1lPmono2    |    These REPLACE the V3.x's 1Pconsole
	1lPmono3 <--|     entry in that versions ttys file.
			  You dont have to touch these.

On my system I have the following hardware.
One standard HDD/FDD Controller (IDE) with COM1, COM2 and LPT1
on board, and enabled. These live at 3F8 - IRQ4, and 2F8 - IRQ3. 
LPT1 uses 378 and IRQ7.

One standard Taiwan Multi I/O card with 2 COM ports, one printer
port, and one game port. This card can be configured as COM1/2 
or COM3/4, and LPT1 or LPT2. I have the jumpers set for the
following. COM3 at 3E8 - IRQ4 and COM4 at 2E8 - IRQ3, with the
second printer, LPT2 at 278 - IRQ5.

Now, setting them up, as applied to this type of 2 board setup.
If you are not sure if your installation configured the ports correctly,
then follow the instructions in the Release Notes and Installation Guide
under 'Asy' exactly as they appear, regarding the making of the devices.
Dont change anything. yet.
Now, the thing to note is the rule on IRQs and Polling. If you are using
COM2 as your modem port, (seems to be the most used option), and COM1
as a terminal connection, and both are using IRQs, then the other two
must be Polled. COM3 and COM4 must be Polled. Observe my settings listed,

	0lPcom1l <--- Serial terminal on COM1. IRQ4
	1rLcom2r <--- Modem, incoming, on COM2. IRQ3
	0lLcom2l <--- Modem, outgoing (the same modem) on COM2. IRQ3
	0lPcom3pl <--- Serial terminal on COM3. Polled
	0lPcom4pl <--- Serial terminal on COM4. Polled
	1lPmono0 <-|
	1lPmono1   |
	1lPmono2   | --virtual screens.
	1lPmono3 <-|

The Serial terminals are shown as 'disabled' in the above listing,
but when they are connected, you simply type 'enable com3pl' and
presto!, you get a login prompt on that terminal.
In SUMMARY:
Install with all defaults.
Run the three configuration commands in the Asy entry.
The asyxxx entries in your /dev directory are the prototypes for
the comxx devices, so you can ignore them for the purposes of this.
Decide which lines you will use, and check your IRQ/Poll combination.
Check your physical wiring. You only need three wires.

D25 connectors. TXD to RXD, RXD to TXD, Common Ground.
	2 --> 3
	3 <-- 2
	7 <-> 7
D9 connectore. TXD to RXD, RXD to TXD, Common Ground.
	2 --> 3
	3 <-- 2
	5 <-> 5

In the above setting, to call out on the modem, you MUST type
'disable com2r' before you can call out on com2l. When you are
finished, type 'enable com2r' to put your modem back on line.

Other things of note: Old Xt's with a com port and any version of
TELIX/PROCOMM/etc etc make good cheap terminals. So do old terminals
that businesses throw away as obsolete.

Windows 3.1's Terminal will emulate a vt100, and its 'almost!' like
having Xterm running Coherent in a Term window. You can even cut and
paste between Word for Windows etc and vi. So who needs X I ask.

One of these days I will get lucky and own an 8-port serial board,
but until then, we make do.
Hope that helps.
Bob.


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|Robert Chalmers. d10590@tanus.oz.au       Mackay, Queensland. Australia|
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