Re:

[Mark@Bessrc.msd.anl.gov (Mark S. Engbretson (BESSRC-Cat))]

John writes:

>>
>>We actually need the port for another reason as well.  We have a few 
>>devices that we need to control that fit into a PC backplane.  We would
>>like these instruments to be able to send data through to EPICS and
>>the easiest way it seems to do this is to have the PC place data
>>into soft records in the IOC. 
>>

Well, if the Windows (NT) CA port ever becomes available, one could use that
to control PC based hardware instead of using Linux. 

I just mention this because there are a number of PC devices which we currently
use that the manufacturer only provides device drivers or library support to
the end user. (National Instruments is an example.) This does not port to
Linux, and
NI shows little or no interest in giving out the specifications on how to
manipulate their devices on a register by register basis. (Ask Gerry . . .)

Linux is rather good . . . but is doesn't solve all the problems that using PC
hardware can generate.
  

Me