[Coco] RS232 to WiFi/Ethernet

[Salvador Garcia]

 Hi all,

I am following this thread, but it isn't clear how these serial <-> wifi devices are used.

If I have a CoCo (or any other computer with a serial port) and want to connect it to a modern computer, my setup could include a serial to USB converter that connects between the CoCo and the PC. I then can use a serial comm app to communicate between both computers (such as a terminal program).

If I use the serial/wifi device, I can eliminate the serial to USB cable/converter. Instead I connect the serial/wifi device to my retro computer. I then use my modern computer network connection to communicate with the retro computer/ Is this correct?

Then, if my comm app running on the modern computer communicated with the retro computer through COM1 (for example), how would the connection to the retro computer look like now that I am using the serial/wifi device instead of ye ole trusty serial cable?

Thanks for clarifying. Thi sis an interesting device. Salvador

    On Tuesday, January 30, 2018, 9:01:33 AM CST, Allen Huffman <alsplace at pobox.com> wrote:  
 
 Well, heck. Sometimes it costs more to build than to buy.

AliExpress.com has many resellers offering a gadget that has an RS232 connector on one side, and Ethernet ports on the other, and built in WiFi. For about $13 you get the board, WiFi module and power supply. No case.

The software is controlled by serial or via a web interface. It does TCP and UDP as a client or server. No high level protocols, so implementing true telnet and such would require code. It is unclear if it can support multiplexing to use multiple connections at a time, which FTP would require.

Just search for "rs232 to WiFi" and you will find tons of them.

The advantage of the stuff I and Roger Taylor and others are playing with (ESp8266) is the easy to use alternate firmware that makes those devices act like a Hayes smartmodem. They are instantly compatible with BBS programs, Ultimaterm, etc.

I’m going to snag one of these $13 devices to play with and see how it goes.

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