Ethernet to Serial distro

[regrdb]

I am new to this forum, so please forgive me if I am posting to the wrong area. I am also a serious noob to Linux. I was looking for a small disto (Live or Install) just for ethernet to serial. I would like to take some of the old computers in my garage and attach serial devices (relay boards) to them and control the on/off states of the relays through TCP/IP. I would have thought this would have been a common thing, but I am having trouble finding anything like this. I know there are several off-the-shelf devices that range from $100 and up, but I was wanting to use the old computers and not have to buy anything, just kind of a hobby and limited $. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[nachos]

It looks like it took a week for anyone to post to you, perhaps you aren't already done in your quest.
The Stone SouperComputer - ORNL's First Beowulf-Style Parallel Computer
these guys built a "Beowulf" style computer (linking a bunch of computers together to make it run as one computer.) I know its not exactly what you wanted, but it is hopefully close enough. I believe they use Slackware. You can do a minimal install of Slackware so you dot have to use all 4 CD's. However, realize Slackware is the best technology that 1995 has to offer. The updates are slow, and after 3 years, they still wont use the new kernel. You could try and use a derivative of slack ware called Zenwalk.
Good luck.