Sharing Serial Ports on a Network

[SirGally]

Hi there,

I am running a small network with Microsoft server 2003, with 3 XP Client PCs and I have a specialist printer connected to COM1 (serial port) of one of the XP client machines.

I want to make COM1 available as a COM on the other client PCs on the network so they can also print to the printer. It does not have to be COM1 on the other PCs, it can be any. ie maybe a virtual port, COMx?

I cannot network this particular printer.

It contains firmware that will only talk directly to the COM its connected to.

If i could share that COM on the other PCs I would have it cracked!

Any ideas?

Cheers

RG

 

[itsp1965]

If the printer is connected directly to the print server you should be able to share it. If it is connected to a workstation, you can share the printer from there also (of course you have to guarantee that the workstation will always be on).

 

[SirGally]

there is no software install with the printer what so ever.

no drivers are installed with the printer

no printer appears in 'Printers and Faxes'.

so the printer can not be shared on the print server or the workstation.

Data gets sent directly to the COM port the printer is connected to and firmware within the printer itself produces the print.

The only setting I can modify is the COM port number e.g. COM1

So its not like ur tipical printer share.

I have to find a way to share the COM port rather than the printer.

its a sticky one but I know it is possible to share a local serial port across a network, just tryin to figure out how!

RG

 

[biglebowski]

http://www.intellidriver.com/products_1.15.html

When I was born I was so suprised I didn't talk for 18 months