Instead of using an Ethernet controller for projects such
        as home automation, why not get hold of a simple terminal
        server such as Digital Equipment Corporations - DECSERVER 200,
        these units provide up to 8 modem controlled serial ports and
        link back to an ethernet controller.

        Most of these units are outdated, and can be picked up for
        almost nothing. However, they provide up to 8 ports and can
        communicate from 300 to 19.2kbps, and the output of the
        ethernet port is DEC LAT, which is fairly well defined.

        Infact, if you are really into it you can in theory reprogram
        them, as I believe they are MC68000 with a chunk of memory and
        a few UARTS and an ethernet port. The DECSERVER 200 downloads
        its software via the network, thus all that would be required
        would be a idea of the internals of the server and a suitable
        cross compiler/linker etc (Does any onw have such info?). You
        would then need a system to down load the image, a PC or a DEC
        system of some sort and you have a customized 8 unit
        controller interface.

        Or, if you have access to a DEC System (i.e. VAX/VMS, Alpha
        VMS, PDP etc), you could using the DEC software connect a
        session from that machine directly to a terminal server port
        and cut out all the hardwork.

        All of this is easy to PIC up these days, as terminal servers
        are cheap, VAX systems are on the second hand market.

        Just a though anyway.

Rob.