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Go to StarTech.com16 Port Low Profile RS232 PCI Express Serial Card - Cable Included
Add 16 RS232 serial ports to your computer via a single low profile PCI Express slot
Product ID: PEX16S952LP
- 16 high speed RS-232 serial ports with data transfer rate up to 921.6 Kbps
- 128-byte deep FIFO per transmitter and receiver
- Native single-Chip, single lane PCI Express
- Includes a Full Profile bracket
- High Performance Dual Channel Oxford 950 UART
- Selectable power output on pin 9 for the serial port
- Automated in-band software flow control using programmable Xon/Xoff in both directions
- Automated out-of-band hardware flow control using Tx/Rx/RTS/CTS/DSR/DTR/DCD/RI/GND
- Compliant with PCI Express base specifications revision 1.1
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Overview
The PEX16S952LP 16 Port Low Profile RS232 PCI Express Serial Card with Cable Included lets you turn a single low profile PCIe slot into 16 RS232 (DB9) serial connections.
The serial adapter card is based on a native single chip design that allows you to harness the full capability of PCI Express (PCIe), delivering optimum reliability and speed while reducing the load applied to the CPU by as much as 48% over conventional serial cards.
This low profile serial card is compatible with a broad range of operating systems, including Windows® 7, XP, and Server 2003, and features a VHDCI 68 pin connector with an included serial breakout cable for installation into a single low profile expansion card slot. The card also includes a full-sized bracket, for installation in standard form factor computers.
Backed by a StarTech.com lifetime warranty and free lifetime technical support.
The StarTech.com Advantage
- High Performance Dual Channel Oxford 950 UART offers reliability, speed and broad OS compatibility
- Native single-Chip, single lane PCI Express means less load on the CPU, and higher performance
- Includes both low and full profile brackets ensuring maximum compatibility; ships with low profile configuration
Applications
Control/monitoring of surveillance/security cameras and systems
Industrial automation for factory/manufacturing floors
Self service automated machines and kiosks (grocery, airport) to control serial devices such as scales, touchscreens, magnetic card readers, bar code scanners, receipt printers, label printers
POS applications to control keyboards, cash drawers, receipt printers, card readers / card swipes, scales, and elevated displays on poles
Bank teller workstations in either full profile or low profile versions to control their serial devices such as cash drawers, card readers / card swipes, printers, keypads / pinpads, pen pads
Technical Specifications
Product Numbers | ||
---|---|---|
UPC Code | 065030837675 |
Warranty Information | ||
---|---|---|
Warranty | Lifetime | |
Hardware | ||
Bus Type | PCI Express | |
Card Type | Low Profile (SP bracket incl.) | |
Chipset ID | PLX/Oxford - OXPCIe958 | |
Industry Standards | PCI Express 1.1, PCI Power Management 1.2 | |
Interface | Serial | |
Port Style | Dongle (Included) | |
Ports | 16 | |
Performance | ||
Data Bits | 5, 6, 7, 8 | |
FIFO | 128 Bytes | |
Max Baud Rate | 921.6 Kbps | |
Serial Protocol | RS-232 | |
Connector(s) | ||
Connector Type(s) | 1 - PCI Express x1 Male | |
External Ports | 16 - DB-9 (9 pin, D-Sub) Male | |
Internal Ports | 1 - SP4 (4 pin, Small Drive Power) Male | |
Software | ||
OS Compatibility | Windows® 98SE, ME, 2000, CE 4.2/5.0/6.0, 2000, XP Embedded, XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10 Windows Server® 2003, 2008 R2, 2012, 2012 R2, 2016 Linux 3.5.x to 4.4.x LTS Versions only |
|
Environmental | ||
Humidity | 5~95% RH | |
Operating Temperature | 0°C to 55°C (32°F to 131°F) | |
Storage Temperature | -20°C to 85°C (-4°F to 185°F) | |
Physical Characteristics | ||
Product Height | 20 mm [0.8 in] | |
Product Length | 178 mm [7 in] | |
Product Weight | 1250 g [44.1 oz] | |
Product Width | 68 mm [2.7 in] | |
Packaging Information | ||
Shipping (Package) Weight | 1.2 kg [2.6 lb] | |
What's in the Box | ||
Included in Package | 1 - 16 Port Serial Card | |
1 - 16 port breakout cable | ||
1 - Full Profile Bracket | ||
1 - Driver CD | ||
1 - Instruction Manual |
Compatibility






Windows Server® 2003, 2008 R2, 2012, 2012 R2, 2016
Linux 3.5.x to 4.4.x LTS Versions only
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Product Support
Drivers & Downloads
Driver(s):
-
[OxfordPCIe] Serial and Parallel Cards.zip
Serial Version: 1.03.0000.02
Parallel Version: 1.00.0000.05
Manual(s):
-
PEX16S952LP_rev1.pdf
English
Compliance Letter(s):
Data Sheet(s)
- PEX16S952LP_Datasheet.pdf
English
Frequently Asked Questions
Before You Buy
It is not required to use the power connector on the card, but certain modes will only be available while using the connector. For instance, jumpers can be placed on the card to draw 12V or 5V from the power connector to assist with power output through the DB connectors. If these modes are activated without the power connector, the card will not function correctly.
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Installation
Before you install the device, make sure that your operating system is current (for example, the most recent service pack is installed).
- Download the latest drivers from the StarTech.com website at http://www.startech.com/Support. The part number and product ID are on the product packaging.
Note: Windows usually saves the files to the Downloads folder that is associated with your user account (for example, C:\Users\your_name\Downloads).
- After the download is complete, right-click the zip folder that you downloaded, click Extract All, and complete the instructions.
- Press the Windows key + R, type devmgmt.msc, and press Enter to open the Device Manager.
- Right-click PCI Serial Port, which will have a “!” or “?” next to it to indicate a driver issue.
- Click Update Driver.
- Click Browse my computer for driver software.
- Select the Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer option.
- On the Select your device’s type from the list below screen, click Show All Devices, and click Next.
Note: The Select your device’s type from the list below screen does not appear on all systems. If you do not see this screen, skip this step.
- Select the Have Disk option.
- Browse to the Windows folder, select the folder for your operating system, and open the 32-bit or the 64-bit folder, depending on your system type.
Note: To view your system type, click Start. Right-click Computer, and then click Properties.
- Click the OxMf or OxPCIeMf file. Click OK, and then click Next.
Note: If you are using a serial card that uses the OxPCIeMf file and installation fails, repeat steps 4 to 9, then browse to the Windows folder. Browse to the Serial Port Driver folder and click the oxserleg file. Click OK, and then click Next.
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Before you install the device, make sure that your operating system is current (for example, the most recent service pack is installed).
- Download the latest drivers from the StarTech.com website at http://www.startech.com/Support. The part number and product ID are on the product packaging.
Note: Windows usually saves the files to the Downloads folder that is associated with your user account (for example, C:\Documents and Settings\your_name\My Documents\Downloads).
- After the download is complete, right-click the zip folder that you downloaded, click Extract All, and complete the instructions.
- Press the Windows key + R, type devmgmt.msc, and press Enter to open the Device Manager.
- Right-click PCI Serial Port, which will have “!” or “?” next to it to indicate a driver issue.
- Click Update Driver.
- On the Hardware Update Wizard screen, click Install from a list or specific location (Advanced), and then click Next.
- Select the Don’t search, I will choose the driver to install option, and then click Next.
- On the Hardware Type screen, click Show All Devices, and then click Next.
Note: The Hardware Type screen does not appear on all systems. If you do not see this screen, skip this step.
- On the Select the Device Driver you want to install for this hardware screen, select the Have Disk option.
- In the Install from Disk dialog box, click Browse.
- Browse to the Windows folder, select the folder for your operating system, and open the 32-bit or the 64-bit folder, depending on your system type.
Note: To view your system type, click Start. Right-click Computer, and then click Properties.
- Click the OxMf or OxPCIeMf file. Click OK, and then click Next.
Note: If you are using a serial card that uses the OxPCIeMf file and installation fails, repeat steps 4 to 10, then browse to the Windows folder. Browse to the Serial Port Driver folder and click the oxserleg file. Click OK, and then click Next.
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How to
To confirm that Windows detects your expansion card, complete the following:
- Press the Windows key+R, type devmgmt.msc, and press Enter.
- In Device Manager, under the appropriate heading, confirm that your expansion card is listed and that there isn't an exclamation mark next to it. For example, a USB controller card would be under Universal Serial Bus controllers.
Your expansion card is listed according to the name of the chipset. To determine the name of the chipset of your expansion card, navigate to www.StarTech.com and look on the Technical Specifications tab for your product.
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Troubleshooting
When you troubleshoot issues with a serial device, there are some quick tests that you can complete to rule out potential problems. You can test to make sure that the following components are working correctly and are not the source of the issue:
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Serial cables
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Serial ports
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Serial devices
To test your setup components, try the following:
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Use the serial cable, serial port, and serial device in another setup to see if the problem is with the components or the setup.
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Use a different serial cable, serial port, and serial device in your setup to see if the problem persists. Ideally, you should test a component that you know works in another setup.
When you test your cables, it is recommended that you do the following:
-
Test each cable individually.
-
Use short cables when you are testing.
When you test the serial ports and serial device, it is recommended that you do the following:
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Press the Windows key + R, type devmgmt.msc, and press Enter to open Device Manager. Check to see if your device is listed under Ports (COM & LPT).
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Make sure that the COM port number is the correct number for the serial device and that the software being used to connect the computer to the serial device uses the correct COM port number.
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If you do not see the COM port number in Device Manager see this FAQ for PCI/PCIe expansion cards: https://www.startech.com/support/faqs/technical-support?topic=expansion-cards#pci-pcie-cannot-boot-os-or-detect-windows
or this FAQ for USB devices: https://www.startech.com/support/faqs/technical-support?topic=expansion-cards#usb-cannot-detect-windows -
If the device is listed with an error, follow the instructions on the website to reinstall the drivers.
Note: Some serial devices work only if the COM port number is between a certain range. For example, COM1 to COM4.
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Perform a serial loopback test. See this FAQ on how to perform a RS-232 serial loopback test: http://www.startech.com/faq/serial_loopback_test_rs232_windows
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To check whether or not an RS-232 serial port is working, perform an RS-232 loopback test by doing the following:
- If your serial port is not female, convert it by taking a female/female cable or gender changer and plugging it into the serial port.
- Take a metal paperclip or wire and cross pins 2 and 3. If you look closely at the female end, the pins should be numbered.
- Open a telnet session on the COM port number of the device that you are testing. To find out the COM port number, refer to the following FAQ: https://www.startech.com/faq/com-port-listing-windows.
Note: To open a telnet session on the COM port, you need a telnet client like PuTTY or Hyper Terminal. Windows XP comes with Hyper Terminal.
- When the session is open, anything you type into it you should see. The loopback test fails when you cannot see what you are typing.
If the loopback test fails, make sure that the serial cable or gender changer that you are using works and that the adapter is in the correct port.
You can check multiple ports at the same time by opening multiple sessions, putting the loopback adapter on one port, and trying to type into each session. When you can see what you are typing, you know that the COM port is working and you can see which port number the physical serial port is. Close the window for the port that you just tested to speed up the testing of the remaining serial ports.
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* Product appearance and specifications are subject to change without notice.
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