How to Run a LAN Connection by Serial Port Cable

A typical DB9 serial cable

Serial over IP network can be useful to transfer files between legacy (older) PCs. A Serial cable network does not require any other hardware to work besides a serial cable. You can transfer files and documents at the rate of 115Kbps. Serial networks can be established relatively quickly with just a few settings made within Windows.

Things You'll Need

• serial cable

Instructions

Setup your host machine

1. Click on your Start button icon. Go into the Control Panel, and then open your Network Connections screen. (Click on the next button when you are ready to continue to the next step each time.)
   Under Network Tasks on the left hand side of the screen, click on "Create a new connection."
   Now Click "Set up an advanced connection." Click on the "Connect directly to another computer" option. Choose "Host" when asked what role this machine will play.

2. Choose the Serial port option under the "Connection device" section. You will need to choose a user to allow permission to access this connection, for a temporary connection you could choose "Guest" or for a trusted source "Administrator." Selecting "Finish" will end this part of the configuration.

3. Setting up your Guest computer:

   Click on your Start button icon. Go into the Control Panel, and then open your Network Connections screen. (Click on the next button when you are ready to continue to the next step each time.)
   Under Network Tasks on the left hand side of the screen, click on "Create a new connection".
   Now Click "Set up an advanced connection". Click on the "Connect directly to another computer" option. Choose "Guest" when asked what role this machine will play.

4. Type in a name for your connection. When asked for what type of connection choose Serial Port.
   Choose whether to allow access to "Anyone" or "My Use" only, if you only have one account you use, then click "My Use" and then click finish.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure the cable you are using is a Null modem cable, a Laplink style cable requires specialized

• software, and will not work without it.

• The Host machine must have a user logged in with administrator privileges.

• Serial connections are extremely slow compared to modern networking equipment, a large file

• could take hours to transfer using this method.

• Plan ahead, most serial cables are only six feet long, so make sure your systems are close by.

• There are known issues when networking between XP and Vista over serial, you should use an Ethernet or wireless network in this situation.

References

• PC 911: Transferring Files between PCs

Resources

• Kim e Networks: Direct Cable Connect Setup Instructions