APC 9302 Console Port Server

[BillP]

Hello,everybody!
Have problem with CPS APC 9302(last firmaware)
Configured as follows-security profile-Open,all network configures done,port profile-9600 8N1 DCD-Disregarded.
I tried to connect it to several Sun servers and workstations (Netra T1,Ultra 5,V250) with patch cord and cross cable.
But none works,neither through java applet or ts_menu command.
Tried to connect with Console (Telnet/Raw) options. With telnet options-everything stops and shows nothing...but message in log-client doesn't support telnet com port protocol option rfc 2217,but Ultra 5 have additional signal DCD,when I put DCD-Regarded,this message in log dessapears. But on other servers all the same.
Please help!!!! need to show OBP to clients,but all servers are on another site.

[BillP]

you need to make sure you are using the correct adapters and cables for your operation..

The following cables and adapters are available for purchase from APC to use with your CPS.
Choose those that are appropriate for the equipment you are managing with the CPS.

Cables

AP9307 DB9F to RJ45 crossover cable
AP9308 DB25M to RJ45 cable
AP9309 DB25F to RJ45 crossover cable
AP9317 RJ45 to RJ12 CPS to Rack PDU cable

Adapters

AP9310 DB25F to RJ45 crossover adapter
AP9311 DB25M to RJ45 crossover adapter
AP9313 DB9F to RJ45 crossover adapter
AP9314 DB9M to RJ45 crossover adapter
AP9315 RJ45 to RJ45 Cisco/SUN adapter
AP9316 CPS Console Port to UPS DB9 adapter

[BillP]

ok,I used simple patch cord/cross cable with my Netra T1 because serial LOM port is RJ-45,but still nothing.

[Anonymous user]

Hi, Anton --

Unfortunately you can't just use standard Ethernet patch cable. Serial communications is, sadly, more complicated than that (RS-232 was invented in 1969).

For two serial devices to talk, the following connections have to be made between them:

Transfer (TX) <--> Receive (RX)
Receive (TX) <--> Transfer (RX)
DTR <---> DSR
DSR <---> DTR
Ground <---> Ground
RTS <-----> CTS
CTS <-----> RTS

I'd explain why, but literally it is like 50 years of uninteresting history. So I'll just cut to the chase: you need to get what is commonly called a "rollover" cable. NOT a "crossover" cable. NOT a "patch" cable.

An Ethernet "patch" cable is this:

Pin1 --> Pin 1
Pin2 --> Pin 2
Pin3 --> Pin 3
Pin4 --> Pin 4
Pin5 --> Pin 5
Pin6 --> Pin 6
Pin7 --> Pin 7
Pin8 --> Pin 8

An Ethernet "crossover" cable is this:

Pin1 --> Pin 2
Pin2 --> Pin 1
Pin3 --> Pin 4
Pin4 --> Pin 3
Pin5 --> Pin 6
Pin6 --> Pin 5
Pin7 --> Pin 8
Pin8 --> Pin 7

A "rollover" cable is this:

Pin1 --> Pin 8
Pin2 --> Pin 7
Pin3 --> Pin 6
Pin4 --> Pin 5
Pin5 --> Pin 4
Pin6 --> Pin 3
Pin7 --> Pin 2
Pin8 --> Pin 1

You can get a "rollover" cable a bunch of ways.

a. APC calls it part number: AP9315 RJ45 to RJ45 Cisco/SUN adapter. They charge $20 for it. A great bargain!
b. Find the "rollover" cable that ships with virtually any Cisco router. It's the same thing. It's usually light blue.
c. Crimp one yourself if you have the tools.
d. Buy it online from some guy in China for literally a dollar. (Google: "rj45 cable rollover". Make sure the resulting page specifically states the pinouts as I described above).

You can guess which one I recommend.

Obviously, once you have the right cable. Try again. If no luck, make sure the serial protocol settings on your LOM match that of the console port server. Notably, baud rate, bit rate, etc.; and DON'T FORGET HANDSHAKING / FLOW CONTROL (on/off).

If you found this post useful, I'd appreciate a private email that I can explain how I know such arcane things as what a "rollover" cable is.

[BillP · Accepted solution]

thank you very much!!!!))))))
thats really helped.
I thinks while tecnology still in use you should know its history,will work on it!)
Ultra 5 connected and working fine.
Now Iam trying Netra T1 with selfmade RJ45-RJ45 cable.
Thanks again))!