Know your gear
Several female and/or male DB9 connector combinations are available.
ABC (2-to-1) switches link one peripheral to two devices.
ABCDE (4 to 1) switches connect one peripheral to four devices.
Both ABC and ABCDE switches have a wiring harness and use a "stackpole" switching mechanism. They have solder connections from the switching mechanism to the connectors.
X switches share two peripherals among two devices.
6 to 1 switches provide access to one peripheral from six devices.
ABC (2-to-1) switches link one peripheral to two devices.
ABCDE (4 to 1) switches connect one peripheral to four devices.
Both ABC and ABCDE switches have a wiring harness and use a "stackpole" switching mechanism. They have solder connections from the switching mechanism to the connectors.
X switches share two peripherals among two devices.
6 to 1 switches provide access to one peripheral from six devices.