Help needed to identify it device

tvout · 23-10-2006, 11:46

Hi all,
I found this strange thing at a car boot and can't figure out what it is or what it does. It's a non-descript plain white box. At the back there are two 9 pin serial type ports, one labelled ptc, the other rs232. It has an rj45 network port and a 12v dc power input. There are two small holes on one side with two leds and a serial number that looks like a mac address. Any ideas?

Kneebs · 23-10-2006, 12:01

Why didn't ya ask the person selling it ?

Sounds like some sort of serial >RJ45 adaptor, or could be a line driver device - ie the RJ45 connects to a PC, and the RS232 port goes to somehting like a wallboard display for example....

quadplay · 23-10-2006, 12:09

Could be a router for leased lines!

Try typing the serial number that looks like a MAC address in here: http://www.coffer.com/mac_find/ - if it is a MAC address, that will tell you the manufacturer which might get you closer to finding out what this device is!

23-10-2006, 12:15

So you bought it and you don't know what it does?

Graham M · 23-10-2006, 12:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by lsainsbury

So you bought it and you don't know what it does?

Apparently

**Maggy** · 23-10-2006, 12:21

I thought you males always did stuff like this..Isn't it why you go to boot sales?

23-10-2006, 12:32

RS 232 = In the early 1960s, a standards committee, today known as the Electronic Industries Association, developed a common interface standard for data communications equipment. At that time, data communications was thought to mean digital data exchange between a centrally located mainframe computer and a remote computer terminal, or possibly between two terminals without a computer involved. These devices were linked by telephone voice lines, and consequently required a modem at each end for signal translation. While simple in concept, the many opportunities for data error that occur when transmitting data through an analog channel require a relatively complex design. It was thought that a standard was needed first to ensure reliable communication, and second to enable the interconnection of equipment produced by different manufacturers, thereby fostering the benefits of mass production and competition. From these ideas, the RS232 standard was born. It specified signal voltages, signal timing, signal function, a protocol for information exchange, and mechanical connectors.

Over the 40+ years since this standard was developed, the Electronic Industries Association published three modifications, the most recent being the EIA232F standard introduced in 1997. Besides changing the name from RS232 to EIA232, some signal lines were renamed and various new ones were defined, including a shield conductor. (not my info)

Sounds to me its some kind of daughterboard for something pretty old what interface is it? ISA?? Photo please

23-10-2006, 12:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by zinglebarb

What interface is it? ISA?? Photo please

ISA? Yeah - righto! I doub't it's even that complex!

Yes - lets have look at this marvel find....

Sounds more like some kind of break-out box to me...

Graham M · 23-10-2006, 12:46

One thing is, Zingle, it definitely doesn't sound internal

23-10-2006, 13:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeph

One thing is, Zingle, it definitely doesn't sound internal

A nice piece of thinking outside the box Zeph?

tvout · 23-10-2006, 13:44

Cheers for the huge response guys. I did ask the guy who sold it and he had no idea what it was. It was really the power supply i was after, that was worth more than the 1 pound i paid.
I was just intrigued to know what the thing was really.
I tried the mac address on that site and it said it was down due to isp problems? I have taken a photo of it but i can't easily upload it till i get home.

---------- Post added at 12:44 ---------- Previous post was at 12:32 ----------

Ah, sorry it says that the vendor for the mac address is 'ieee registration authority'
Cheers

23-10-2006, 16:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeph

One thing is, Zingle, it definitely doesn't sound internal

Me bad for not really thinking I saw plain white box and assumed cardboard lol lol

ignorant bliss · 23-10-2006, 17:40

it sounds like it could be an old network 'transceiver' to me

Graham M · 23-10-2006, 17:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by ignorant bliss

it sounds like it could be an old network 'transceiver' to me

Yeah that's what I thought too, perhaps some type of Media Convertor.

DocDutch · 23-10-2006, 21:37

sounds like a modem to me..old style where they did have RJ45 on it and Serial connections, but then saying that RJ45 can sometimes look like RJ11.

if you could make some pics of the back of the unit at least we can see then what it is but I suspect its an old modem.