TITLE
    PowerBook: How the Serial Port Arbitrator Works
Article ID:
Created:
Modified:
11021
11/11/92
9/18/00

TOPIC

    What is the Serial Port Arbitrator, and how does it work? Can I take it out?


DISCUSSION

    The serial port requires exclusive access. Through the use of arbitration, multiple applications can use the serial port. Consider the situation where Remote Access is waiting for a call and you want to use another communications program. When Remote Access is waiting for a call, it has "passive claim" on the serial port which is relinquished when the communications program needs the port. When the communications program relinquishes its "active claim" to the serial port, Remote Access then reestablishes its "passive claim".

    Therefore, if you remove the arbitrator AND have Remote Access set to answer calls, Remote Access will have sole claim on the port and not allow any other programs to use it. This is the only situation where you will encounter a problem.

Document Information
Product Area: Computers
Category: PowerBook
Sub Category: Software

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