3

 

  

This chapter explores the options for COM ports on PCs, including ports in

USB/serial converters and ports in serial servers on networks.



 

 

As Chapter 1 explained, COM ports on PCs can include ports on mother-

boards, expansion cards, USB converters, and serial servers. Other names for

COM ports are communications port and Comm port.

For each COM port, an operating-system driver assigns a symbolic link name

such as COM1, COM2, and so on, which applications use to detect and access

the port. Recent Windows editions don’t limit the number of COM ports. Of

course, every system has finite resources that limit how many COM ports can

be in use at the same time.

$ 8  

The Windows Device Manager shows information about each COM port. To

access the Device Manager, right click on My Computer, click Manage, and in

the Computer Management pane, select Device Manager. Or click Start and