Asynchronous communications options
Expanded asynchronous capability can be added to the system unit with adapters, by using Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) buses.
Several factors might influence the type of asynchronous connectivity you choose. The following table summarizes these products.
| Asynchronous attachment | Based on POWER® processor based | Itanium based | Bus type | Feature code or machine type (model) | Maximum data rate per port (kbps) | Salient features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard serial port | X | X | System planar | n/a | Selectable based on baud rate generator clock speed of universal asynchronous receiver and transmitter (UART). | Standard feature |
| 232 RAN | X | X | 8130 | 57.6 | Remote capability | |
| Enhanced 232 RAN | X | X | 8137 | 230 | Remote capability | |
| 16-Port RAN EIA 422 | X | X | 8138 | 230 | Remote capability | |
| 128-Port Controller | X | 8128 | 230 | Efficiency, higher device counts | ||
| 128-Port Controller | X | 2933 | 230 | Efficiency, higher device counts | ||
| 128-Port Controller | X | X | PCI | 2944 | 230 | Efficiency, higher device counts |
Note: Rack Mount RAN FC is 8136.
Note: Maximum Data Rate per Port is limited by line bandwidth (1.2
Mbps for standard RAN, or 2.4 Mbps for Enhanced RAN).
The first feature in this table represents the planar-attached serial ports that are standard with every system unit. The next features are the adapters. The 128-port asynchronous subsystem includes the remote asynchronous nodes (RANs) that attach to it.