Can ne1 identify this device? (Xircom)

[CZroe]

I found this in the trash at work.
It's red, & has a 25-pin male connector (Parallel, not 25-pin serial because it attaches to the back of the computer) & a "belt" that you turn to spin the screws that attach it to the port on the PC.
On the other side, is a ethernet co-ax connector & a DC-in connector.
I haven't tried it yet because I don't have the correct AC-Adapter to power it.
Could this be some sort of "Parallel Port Ethernet card" or something?
Sure sounds more useful than a USB Ethernet adapter

 

[kreno]

could be... no... well... could be an ancient workaround for direct connecting to a lan pc.... possible!

Best way to figure it out is get the FCC:ID on it somewhere and look it up, then get drivers and try it out!

 

[kreno]

w00t! SENIOR MEMBER STATUS!

 

[CZroe]

Well, I tried Xircom's site sometime last year looking for info on this & looked through EVERY LAST PRODUCT including legacy/unsupported & couldn't find a thing. I'm sure it requires drivers to operate at all, but none seem available

Perhaps this is why it was thrown away?

 

[CZroe]

Well, I found docs that seem to relate to it

It is an Ethernet adapter.

They also had Ethernet/Modem combos

1995... Sheesh...

No XP driver I'm sure...

 

[jaywallen]

I'd almost forgot about those things. I actually used one a few years ago ('92?) with a really nasty Dell laptop that disintegrated on me within a few months. That was ironic because I expect the Xircom parallel port ethernet adaptor to crap out first because it was kind of hokey -- especially the little red belt that slipped when you were trying to tighten the connection. If memory serves, the danged things were pretty expensive! Worthless now, though.

 

[CZroe]

Perhaps it has a little collectable value

 

[jaywallen]

You know, I almost added that very thought to my post. You're right. Not only is it collectible because it's outmoded, but because it's such a strange little device. And, strange as it was, it actually worked.

Regards,
Jim

 

[Oyeve]

I had one of those. I even had the mouse adapter that powered the unit via the serial port.

 

[phlashphire]

Kinda sad but... the company I work for still use this artifact daily.

 

[jaywallen]

"artifact"

Kinda makes it sound ancient, doesn't it?