The SyncLink GT, SyncLink GT4, SyncLink GT PC/104+, and SyncLink PCMCIA WAN adapters for Linux are high-speed serial communications adapters for X86 computers running the Linux operating system, version 2.4 and later. The adapters connect to remote routers or computers using a variety of wide area networking services including DDS, ISDN and T1/E1. SyncLink and its device driver are designed to support both single and multi-processor operation, as well as, 64-bits under x86_64 architecture, while using Linux

Designed for use with analog, ISDN, and digital CSU/DSU data communications equipment, the single-port GT and 4-port GT4 adapters support data rates up to 10 Mbps.  The PCMCIA version supports data rates of 128 Kbps and higher.

Through its serial data interface, which can be configured as V.35, RS-232, or RS-422/485 (RS-530, RS-449, X.21) SyncLink cables directly to data communications equipment such as high-speed synchronous modems and digital service CSU/DSUs, as well as, satellite and RF modems.   The SyncLink GT4 supports the same connections through independently configured serial data interfaces.   Available conversion cables are required for each port for V.35, RS-449, RS-530, and X.21 applications.

SyncLink features plug and play configuration of adapter resources, such as I/O base address and interrupt request level. The number of adapters that can be installed is limited only by the number of available PCI and PC Card slots.

APPLICATIONS

Application Program Interface
Linux application programs call the SyncLink device driver using the standard tty device interface, which offers a familiar and documented method for application control.

PPP (with Multilink support) Communications
The Point-to-Point (PPP) protocol provides network communications between two devices connected by point-to-point media such as a serial connection. Dialup applications usually use asynchronous serial communications running on the standard COM serial ports found in most PCs. High-speed applications typically use synchronous (HDLC) serial communication which is not supported by the standard COM ports.

The SyncLink adapter and device driver provides both asynchronous and high-speed synchronous connections that can be used by the standard Linux PPP software (pppd). The pppd program supports a variety of network protocols including IP, IPX, and Appletalk. Multilink PPP is also supported to combine the bandwidth of multiple serial links into a single logical network connection.

Cisco HDLC
The Synclink WAN adapter supports the proprietary Cisco HDLC point-to-point protocol using the syncppp Linux driver.

HDLC Communications
Applications can call the SyncLink device driver directly to support high-speed synchronous HDLC communications over a serial data connection.

Custom HDLC applications
The SyncLink device driver provides complete control over serial formats and options. This allows custom applications to use the driver for any variant of HDLC communications such as SNA/SDLC, X.25, Frame Relay.

SOFTWARE

All SyncLink software includes source code released under the GNU General Public License (GPL). The following Linux software is included:

Device driver: synclink_gt.o synclink_cs.o
The driver uses the standard tty device interface for compatibility with existing applications. Enhancements for synchronous communications and option configuration are provided.  Custom HDLC applications communicate directly with the device driver. Other applications may communicate with intermediate software such as the PPP driver which then uses the SyncLink driver.

HDLC Line Discipline: n_hdlc.o
The HDLC line discipline is a loadable module that allows the SyncLink device to be used for custom HDLC applications. This module alters the behavior of the standard read/write system calls to the tty device to enforce a frame oriented (instead of character oriented) interface.

Configuration utility: mgslutil
This command line utility provides a method for shell scripts and users to configure the SyncLink adapter options. Options include switching mode (HDLC or asynchronous), serial encoding (NRZ/NRZI), data clocking, and more.

Sample HDLC application: mgsltest
The sample program demonstrates the use of the SyncLink adapter for custom HDLC applications. HDLC frames are sent and received with statistics output to the display. When combined with an external loopback device, such as a CSU/DSU in loopback mode or the loopback connector provided with the adapter, this program can be used to verify the correct operation of the adapter.

Download data sheet

PRODUCT CONFIGURATIONS

Single Port Adapters	Product Code
SyncLink GT Adapter for Linux/PCI/V.35	191193
SyncLink GT Adapter for Linux/PCI/RS-232	192193
SyncLink GT Adapter for Linux/PCI/RS-422/X.21	193193
SyncLink GT Low Profile Bracket	LBP000
PC Card Adapters
SyncLink Adapter for Linux/PC CARD	P10193
4-port Adapters
SyncLink GT4 Adapter for Linux/PCI/V.35/4p	491193
SyncLink GT4 Adapter for Linux/PCI/RS-232/4p	492193
SyncLink GT4 Adapter for Linux/PCI/RS-422/X.21/4p	493193
PC/104+ Adapters
SyncLink GT PC/104+ Adapter for Linux/V.35	1P1193
SyncLink GT PC/104+ Adapter for Linux/RS-232	1P2193
SyncLink GT PC/104+ Adapter for Linux/RS-422/X.21	1P3193
Cables
V.35 cable	2534GT
RS-232 cable	CMF000
RS-449 cable	2537FM
RS-530 cable	CMF000
X.21 cable	2515FM

 

SPECIFICATIONS  (SyncLink GT)

Controller: MicroGate FPGA
Serial Ports: One
Serial Interface: Jumper select: V.35, RS-232, RS-422/485 (RS-530 & RS-449, X.21)
Serial Format: SDLC, HDLC, raw bit synchronous, BISYNC, MONOSYNC, asynchronous
Data Rates: Up to 10 Mbps synchronous; 921600 bps asynchronous
Clocking: internal, external, DPLL
Plug and Play configurable, Bus Master DMA data transfer
Environmental: Temperature 0C to 60C standard, -40C to +85C optional; humidity 0 to 95% non-condensing;  alt. - 200 to +10,000 ft
Mechanical: Low-Profile PCI MD1; length 4.7 ", height 2.5 ", Weight 2.7 Oz
PCI 3.0 compliant, 32-bit, 33mhz (5v, 3.3v and PCI-X compatible), Low-profile compatible w/optional bracket.
Power usage:  0.2A +5V, 23 mA +12V, 23mA -12V
Regulatory: FCC Class B, CE, ANSI C63.4 Class B, VCCI Class B, EN55022 Class B, EN55024, RoHS
Connector: DB-25 (male)
Cable Options: DB-25 (female) to DB-25 (male); DB-25 (female) to 34-pin V.35 (male); DB-25 (female) to 37-pin RS-449 (male); DB-25 (female) to 15-pin X.21 (male)

SPECIFICATIONS (SyncLink GT4)

Controller(s): MicroGate FPGA
Serial Ports: Two (2) or four (4); custom designs offer more ports-per-adapter
Serial Interface: Jumper select: V.35, RS-232, RS-422/485 (RS-530,RS-449, X.21)
Serial Format: SDLC, HDLC, raw bit synchronous, BISYNC, MONOSYNC, asynchronous
Data Rates: Up to 10 Mbps per port synchronous; 921600 bps asynchronous
Clocking: internal, external, DPLL
Plug and Play configurable, Bus Master DMA data transfer
Environmental: Temperature 0C to 60C standard, -40C to +85C optional; humidity 0 to 95% non- condensing; alt. - 200 to +10,000 ft.,
Mechanical: Standard PCI short card; length 6.875", height 4.2",  Weight 5.5 Oz
PCI 3.0 compliant, 32-bit, 33mhz (5v, 3.3v, and PCI-X compatible)
Power usage: 300mA 5V, 80mA +12V, 80mA -12V
Regulatory: FCC Class B, CE, ANSI C63.4 Class B, VCCI Class B, EN55022 Class B, EN55024, RoHS
Connectors: LFH-60
Supplied Adapter Cable: LFH-60 to dual DB-25 (male)
Cable Options: DB-25 (female) to DB-25 (male); DB-25 (female) to  34-pin V.35 (male); DB-25 (female) to 37-pin RS-449 (male); DB-25   (female) to 15-pin X.21 (male)

SPECIFICATIONS (SyncLink GT PC/104+)               

Controller: MicroGate FPGA
Serial Ports: One
Serial Interface: Jumper select: V.35, RS-232, RS-422/485 (RS-530 & RS-449, X.21)
Serial Format: SDLC, HDLC, raw bit synchronous, BISYNC, MONOSYNC, asynchronous
Data Rates: Up to 10 Mbps synchronous; 921600 bps asynchronous
Clocking: internal, external, DPLL
Plug and Play configurable, Bus Master DMA data transfer
Rotary switch selects 1 of 4 PC/104+ stack positions
Environmental: Temperature -40C to +85C; humidity 0 to 95% non-condensing; alt. - 200 to +10,000 ft;
Mechanical: Standard PC/104+ dimensions, Stack-through connectors, Weight 3.1 Oz
PCI 3.0 compliant, 32-bit, 33mhz (Universal, 3.3v and 5v)
Power: 200mA +5V, 100mA 3.3V
Connector: 26 Pin Header with Ejector/Latches, 26-pin Header to DB-25 adapter cable
Cable Options: DB-25 (female) to DB-25 (male); DB-25 (female) to 34-pin V.35 (male); DB-25 (female)
to 37-pin RS-449 (male); DB-25 (female) to 15-pin X.21 (male)

SPECIFICATIONS (SyncLink PCMCIA)

Controller(s): SAB82532
Serial Ports: One
Serial Interface: Software-selectable as V.35, RS-232, RS-422 (RS-530,RS-449, X.21)
Serial Format: HDLC, SDLC, asynchronous
Data Rates: Up to 512 Kbps synchronous, 115200bps asynchronous
Clocking: internal, external, DPLL
Plug and Play configurable, PIO data transfer
Environmental: Temperature 0C to 60C; humidity 0 to 95% non- condensing; alt. - 200 to +10,000 ft.
Mechanical: Standard Type II PCMCIA card; length 3.37 inches, width 2.126 inches, weight 1.0 Oz
Power usage: 200 mA +5V
Regulatory: FCC Class B; EN55022 Class B, EN55024
Supplied Adapter Cable: PC card I/O connector to DB-25 (male)
Cable Options: DB-25 (female) to DB-25 (male) DB-25 (female) to 34-pin V.35 (male); DB-25 (female) to 37-pin RS-449 (male); DB-25   (female) to 15-pin X.21 (male)