Abstract: A multi-port apparatus used to communicably connect a computer and a plurality of apparatuses connected to the computer through the computer serial communication ports, such as two computer serial communication ports. A second serial communication port of the computer is connectable to ports corresponding to the plurality of apparatuses desired to be communicated with. A changeover switch is controlled through a first serial communication port of the computer to select one of the plurality of the apparatuses to connect with the second serial communication port of the computer and communicating with the one apparatus through the second serial communication port.

Abstract: A device testing apparatus, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) testing apparatus, using one host computer to test a plurality of the devices, such as to burn-in test HDDs. A host computer having at least two serial communication ports is communicably connected to power cards which supply operating power to each HDD to be tested. A serial communication exchanger is communicably connected to the serial communication ports of the host computer and to the HDDs, and responds to channel selection instructions issued by the host computer to selectively establish a serial communication channel among HDDs, the power card, and the host computer. The single host computer conducts the testing of the HDDs by communicating with the HDDs via the established serial communication channel.

Abstract: A device testing apparatus, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) testing apparatus, using one host computer to test a plurality of the devices, such as to burn-in test HDDs. A host computer having at least two serial communication ports is communicably connected to power cards which supply operating power to each HDD to be tested. A serial communication exchanger is communicably connected to the serial communication ports of the host computer and to the HDDs, and responds to channel selection instructions issued by the host computer to selectively establish a serial communication channel among HDDs, the power card, and the host computer. The single host computer conducts the testing of the HDDs by communicating with the HDDs via the established serial communication channel.

Abstract: A multi-port apparatus used to communicably connect a computer and a plurality of apparatuses connected to the computer through the computer serial communication ports, such as two computer serial communication ports. A second serial communication port of the computer is connectable to ports corresponding to the plurality of apparatuses desired to be communicated with. A changeover switch is controlled through a first serial communication port of the computer to select one of the plurality of the apparatuses to connect with the second serial communication port of the computer and communicating with the one apparatus through the second serial communication port.