Correct cable to connect to AP9211

[johntarr]

Hi, I bought a used AP9211, and want to connect to configure it. From what I have read, a simple serial to USB cable won’t work. If anyone knows the correct cable(s) to go from the serial(?) port on the device to usb, I’d really appreciate it. Any details on how to configure the connection settings would be helpful, as well. Thanks for any help you can provide. 

[heath_calhoun]

If these are the same as apc battery units, I just got a couple off ebay.  Make sure if in a bag, bag says APC and ends have APC sramped.  A APC serial is not pinned as a straight serial is.

[johntarr]

I’m not sure they are the same, is the issue. And from looking at posts, I’m seeing several part numbers for different cables over the years. 

[JonPro]

Hi @johntarr 

I am not sure if you will be able to find the cable since this has long been discontinued but the P/N of it and its description are as follows:  940-0103 (CABLE NULL MODEM DB9F-DB9F).

I personally have not configured a MasterSwitch but I would like to share with you the guides that I was able to find below:

• Installation and Quick Start Manual for AP9211; AP9212; AP9217; and AP9218. 
• Switched Rack PDU MasterSwitch (Manual) 

I hope this helps.

[johntarr · Accepted solution]

SOLVED: I’m replying in case anyone else comes across this issue.

If you have the network card, you can use the steps in the link below to log in without the need for a null modem cable.

https://www.ttl.one/2019/04/resetting-and-upgrading-apc-ap9606.html

Basic steps below in case that link goes down:

• Turn on Wireshark with this filter: eth.src[0:3]==00:c0:b7
• Connect the PDU to your network, and use the reset button to reset the network card
• It will do an ARP lookup and give up it’s IP address
• Change your network settings to use that same IP range
• Navigate to it’s IP in your browser and try the default login
• In my case, the previous owner had turned off the web interface, but I was able to use telnet to connect
• Under System > Tools > Reset Defaults Except TCP/IP, you can clear any customizations the previous owner made
• Finally, you can set your desired IP, logout and reboot

[JonPro]

Thanks @johntarr 

Thank you for sharing your update and the steps that you did, glad that you was able to get it working.

We also have an FAQ article that shows the different ways to configure a network management card.  The procedure depends on what kind of card you have.

Video: How do I configure APC Network Management Card network settings? - FA156064 

From the FAQ, ARP is one of the options available.

Configuration Option 3 - ARP (Address Resolution Protocol)
Address resolution protocol (ARP) can also be used to configure the NMC. The MAC Address of the NMC is needed for this method of configuration. The MAC address is located on the quality assurance slip that shipped with the NMC, and is also located on a white sticker on the NMC itself. From a computer on the same subnet as the unconfigured NMC, follow these instructions:

• Open a command prompt or terminal window and type the following (replacing <IP address> and <MAC Address> with actual values): 
  NOTE: On Windows operating systems, you may need to run the command prompt as Administrator in order to use the arp command. To do this, right click on the Command Prompt shortcut and select "Run as Administrator."

arp<space>-s<space><IP address><space><MAC Address>
You must use the following format for the MAC Address: xx-xx-xx-xx-xx-xx

• On Mac OS X specifically: sudo<space>arp<space>-s<space><IP address><space><MAC Address>
• Next, use Ping with a size of 113 bytes to assign the IP address defined by the ARP command.

For the IP address defined in the first step, use one of the following:

• Windows command format: ping<space><IP address><space>-l<space>113
  • The -l option is the letter L but must be lowercase when executing the command, as noted above.
• Linux command format: ping<space><IP address><space>-s<space>113
• Mac OS X command format: ping<space>-s<space>113<space><IP address>
• Now, you can Telnet to the card by typing: telnet <IP address>
• Use "apc" for username and password.
• Configure/apply any additional changes based on the instructions above or in the user's manual.
• Log out to save changes.

NOTE: Users will be unable to configure the IP address setting by using ARP on the network management cards running AOS 6.5.0 and 6.5.2. This is a known issue and has been resolved with AOS 6.5.6. 
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