Windows 10 Serial Port Networking - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: LaserSteve
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2019, 08:49:01 pm
content: I want to do something I think is probably impossible in Win10. I have a pair of really fast, really sophisticated, really long distance microwave modems, think big dish. Thirty miles would be no problem if you have enough tower height.IO on the RF modem is serial port with a buffer and full handshaking.So is there any way to have a Win 10 laptop on each end with directory access and full file sharing?Desired path would be: Laptop One <> USB Serial Cable <> RF Modem <> AIR GAP <> RF Modem<> USB Serial Cable <> Laptop Two.Comments like "Use a WiFI Card Instead" or " Switch to Linux" are not what I'm looking for...Steve

author: madires
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2019, 08:57:07 pm
content: Running classic PPP?

author: LaserSteve
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2019, 10:03:36 pm
content: Is it still possible? I haven't used SLIP/PPP in say 15 years.Is there software for this?Steve

author: oPossum
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2019, 10:38:29 pm
content: Yes, Windows 10 supports "dial-up" network connections using PPP.Setttings -> Network & Internet -> Dial-up -> Setup a new connection -> Connect to the internet -> etc...

author: Macbeth
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2019, 10:49:56 pm
content: Blimey, SLIP/PPP - how I got our factory networked in the early 90's with Amigas (AmiTCP) and 386/486/Pentiums back in the day. Trumpet Winsock anyone?

author: soldar
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2019, 11:00:15 pm
content: Quote from: LaserSteve on March 22, 2019, 08:49:01 pmWouldn't this require FCC license?

author: LaserSteve
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 23, 2019, 01:22:09 am
content: These are FCC approved for license free... They just use an older protocol then WIFI, and have a more robust hopping protocol.I'm trying to set this up now, but 10 really wants to see something that uses the AT command set, not just an open port. My modems just auto link, like one big serial cable...Edit...I'm now trying this as a guide...https://ig8g.com/out/utilities/PPP/Establishing%20a%20PPP%20connection%20under%20Windows%207.pdfSteve

author: jayeye
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 23, 2019, 02:46:12 am
content: why use a windows10 laptop when you can use an RPI Zero for $5 each?

author: extide
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 23, 2019, 02:59:37 am
content: If they auto link and act as a serial cable, then these sound like they act as a serial null modem. I believe you can configure a null modem as a networking device in windows, at least I know I have done this ~15 years ago .. (albeit over a serial null modem cable, not a wireless link) I would google around a bit for enabling TCP/IP over a null modem on Windows 10.FWIW, a null modem cable is essentially a cable that connects the TX from one end to the RX of the other. It sounds like that's what these do? To test you can open a serial console on both laptops and type some text, it should show up on the other side.EDIT: If you can't do this with windows then you should be able to do this with linux. A pair of rasberry pi's at each end could be set up to essentially convert from ethernet to serial to wireless and back.

author: magic
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 23, 2019, 07:53:02 am
content: It's called "direct cable connection" in Windows-land.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct_cable_connection#Windows_Vista_changesSwitch to LinuxPerhaps you could find some replacement 3rd party software. Or run a VM with Linux or Windows 95 for it.

author: voltsandjolts
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 23, 2019, 09:30:17 am
content: Interesting - can we have a link for the microwave modems?

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 27, 2019, 10:37:52 am
content: Quote from: Macbeth on March 22, 2019, 10:49:56 pmOh wow, you just flung me right back to primary school just then. Early 1990's, single IBM PC in the library running Windows for Workgroups 3.11, connected to the internet via a 28.8k modem. Those were the days.

author: Tony_G
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2019, 03:15:50 pm
content: Just spitballing here but maybe you could look into running pfSense under WSL on a Win10 box at each end?TonyG

author: extide
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2019, 04:45:09 pm
content: pfSense runs on FreeBSD, not Linux. WSL also doesnt really provide 'real' NIC's to the linux guest. You would be better off with a real VM or physical machines.

author: ogden
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2019, 04:54:39 pm
content: Quote from: LaserSteve on March 22, 2019, 08:49:01 pmWhat you mean by "really fast"? Any specs of serial port? Some think that 128kbps is fast, others say that 155.52 Mbit/s (STM-1, also serial) is not enough fast.Anyway I would use two routers. In case you have 2Mbit serial interface on that microwave thing, you could be fine with two Cisco 1700 routers equipped with WIC-1T cards. Just checked that you can get such (router+card) for 60..70$ on fleaBay.

author: LapTop006
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 28, 2019, 11:38:33 am
content: Quote from: ogden on May 27, 2019, 04:54:39 pm... and some of us are in a world where OC768 (the fastest SONET/SDH speed that ever made it into products) is laughably slow and has been for years.

author: ogden
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 28, 2019, 01:02:57 pm
content: Quote from: LapTop006 on May 28, 2019, 11:38:33 amIt's not about just speed, but speed ofelectrical serial interface.