Adding Serial Ports to Your Computer

There is a trend with new personal computers to replace older serial connectors (e.g. DIN8 and DB9) with USB (Universal Serial Bus) ports.  Therefore, you may need one of the following configurations to connect the Smart Focus, BBOX or NGC-MAX to your computer.  We do not sell the Serial Adapter equipment.  See "Where to Find the Equipment" below for more information.

Smart Focus with PC Compatible Computer:
METHOD 1:  JMI's Smart Focus serial cable (included with SFDRO) AND a Type-A USB (male) to DB9 (male) Serial Adapter.
METHOD 2:  JMI's Smart Focus serial cable (included with SFDRO) AND a PCMCIA Serial Adapter Card.

NGC-MAX or BBOX with PC Compatible Computer:
METHOD 1:  JMI's PC Version Serial Cable (CBLBBOX) AND a Type-A USB (male) to DB9 (male) Serial Adapter.
METHOD 2:  JMI's PC Version Serial Cable (CBLBBOX) AND a PCMCIA Serial Adapter Card.

NGC-MAX or BBOX with Apple Macintosh Computer:
METHOD 1:  JMI's Apple Mac Version Serial Cable (CBLBBOXA) AND a Type-A USB (male) to 8-Pin mini-DIN (female) Serial Adapter.
METHOD 2:  JMI's Apple Mac Version Serial Cable (CBLBBOXA) AND a PCMCIA Serial Adapter Card.

WARNING:  While diagnosing customer problems with JMI equipment, we have found that some USB to Serial adapters do not work properly with certain operating systems, particularly Microsoft Vista.

Manufacturers are constantly changing products and part numbers but the last time we checked (April 18, 2002) the following adapters appeared to match the criteria necessary for this connection:

PC Compatible:
Global Computer  500kbps USB to 9-Pin Serial Adapter (PC USB to DB9 Serial).
Go to www.globalcomputer.com or call 800-845-6225 and order part number B131-5002 (approx. $17)  (Added April 21, 2004)

BAFO Technologies 1Mbps USB to Serial Adapter (DB9) (PC USB to DB9 Serial).  
Go to www.tigerdirect.com and do a search for part number B133-1014, or manufacturer's part number BF-810 (approx. $20).
This product has been tested and verified to work with JMI equipment.  (Added February 10, 2003)

KeySpan High Speed USB Serial Adapter (PC USB to DB9 Serial).
Go to www.cdw.com and do a search for part number 323100 (approx. $50).

Ambir Technology NotePro High Speed USB to Serial Adapter Cable (PC USB to DB9 Serial).
Go to www.cdw.com and do a search for part number 378351 (approx. $35).

EXP Single (PCA-SER1) and Dual (PCA-SER2) RS-232 Serial Port PC Cards.
Go to www.psism.com and do a search for part number PCA-SER1 or PCA-SER2 (approx. $160 to $180).

Socket Communications PCMCIA Dual Serial I/O Adapter.
Go to www.psism.com and do a search for part number SL0703-081 (approx. $220).

Socket Communications PCMCIA Quad Serial I/O Adapter.
Go to www.psism.com and do a search for part number SL0751-161 (approx. $350).

Both PC and Mac:
IOGEAR USB to Serial Converter Cable
Go to www.iogear.com and search for part number GUC232A (approx. $40).
We found this product at www.globalcomputer.com for $27 (part number GUC232A).  (Added October 26, 2004)
This product has been tested and verified to work with JMI equipment.  (Verified December 31, 2007)

Socket Communications PCMCIA Single Serial I/O Adapter.
Go to www.psism.com and do a search for part number SL0700-004 (approx. $170).

Apple Macintosh:
KeySpan USB Twin Serial Adapter (Mac USB to 8-pin mini-DIN Serial).
Go to www.cdw.com and do a search for part number 164684 (approx. $75).

APC USB Apple Serial Adapter 2-Port (Mac USB to 8-pin mini-DIN Serial).
Go to www.cdw.com and do a search for part number 242679 (approx. $75).