🚀 go-pugleaf

I have been having a philosophical discussion with one of my
colleagues, on the subject of the DTR line in the RS-232 standard.
I'm looking for information to help resolve the disagreement that has
emerged.

My interpretation of RS-232 is that the DTR line should be asserted
*only* when the DTE is ready to exchange data.  My colleague believes
that that is an over-strict interpretation.

The exact situation in question is what should be done with DTR on
serial ports coming from a UNIX based computer system that has either
locked up or panic'd.

In my opinion, this circumstance is such that the DTE (the UNIX
computer system) is *not* ready to exchange data, so the DTR line
should not be true.  My colleague believes that it is not important
that the modems attached to the dead computer continue to answer
incoming calls, and that since previous versions of the system
software have behaved in exactly the same way for half a dozen years
or more, that it's no big deal either way.

I'm looking for opinion as to what the *right* thing to do is and how
important it is to do the *right* thing.  I'm also looking for actual
data regarding computer systems from various vendors, and their
treatment of DTR in such a situation.

Thanks!
-- 
Ron Heiby, heiby@chg.mcd.mot.com	Moderator: comp.newprod
"proteus: any of a genus of aerobic ... bacteria that include saprophytes in
 decaying organic matter and forms associated with gastrointestinal disorders"