[SOLVED] Connecting to internet with serial cable

Firefox54 · 05-04-2011, 12:24 PM

I have a vista computer that is connected to a router via a ethernet cord. The router is connected to the internet.

I have a computer installed with Debian that does not have a ethernet port in the back of it. Is there a way that I could connect my Debian computer to the internet through my vista?

I would prefer to use a serial cable(that used to connect a printer to a computer), but any answers would be appreciated.

zordrak · 05-04-2011, 12:41 PM

Just buy a PCI ethernet card and put it in the Debian machine. They cost like £5. I've just thrown about 10 out because no-one wants them and they're worth nothing.

camorri · 05-04-2011, 12:45 PM

Why don't you buy a ethernet card for the system? They are cheap. Open the cover, look for an open slot. If you are not sure of the bus type, you can have, in a browser, go to wikipedia, type 'pci bus' for example and they will show you a picture of the connector. Most systems built in the past 10 years have PCI bus. If this is a laptop, you can buy a USB bus card.

To build a serial cable, you can do it, but, you need to have soldering skills, and know how to count the pins. Much more difficult than adding a card.

TobiSGD · 05-04-2011, 01:02 PM

Also keep in mind that the maximum bitrate for such a connection mostly is 115200 bits per second, which are about 14 kilobyte per second. Even ancient analog modems are faster. Go for a network card, they are really cheap.

michaelk · 05-04-2011, 01:40 PM

FWIW You can still purchase serial cables...

Vista does not have the capability to create a serial connection like SLIP. As stated it would be easier to purchase a PCI or if the computer does not have an open slot a USB - ethernet or wireless adpater.

Correction:
Does not have the capability built in. There does seem to be a couple of utilities out there if you search for vista slip connection manager.

jefro · 05-04-2011, 02:19 PM

I think slip does it but they do make serial to IP devices. As above a cheap usb or pci card would be much easier.