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112 I/O Connectors
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Serial Connector
Serial connectors support devices such as external modems, printers, and mice that require serial
data transmission. Serial connectors are also used for console redirection. The serial connector uses
a 9-pin D-subminiature connector.
Serial Connector Autoconfiguration
The default designation of the integrated serial connector is COM1. When you add an expansion
card containing a serial connector that has the same designation as the integrated connector, the
system’s autoconfiguration feature remaps (reassigns) the integrated serial connector to the next
available designation. Both the new and the remapped COM connectors share the same IRQ
setting. COM1 and COM3 share IRQ4, while COM2 and COM4 share IRQ3.
NOTE: If two COM connectors share an IRQ setting, you may not be able to use them both at the same
time. In addition, if you install one or more expansion cards with serial connectors designated as COM1
and COM3, the integrated serial connector is disabled.
Before adding a card that remaps the COM connectors, check the documentation that came with
the software to make sure that the software can accommodate the new COM connector
designation.
Figure B-2 illustrates the pin numbers for the serial connector and Table B-2 defines the pin
assignments for the connector.
Figure B-2. Serial Connector Pin Numbers
Table B-2. Serial Connector Pin Assignments
Pin Signal I/O Definition
1 DCD I Data carrier detect
2 SIN I Serial input
3 SOUT O Serial output
4 DTR O Data terminal ready
5 GND N/A Signal ground
6 DSR I Data set ready
7 RTS O Request to send
D3835bk0.book Page 112 Monday, August 24, 2009 4:34 PM