*Subject:* Re: pinout for serial console cable *To:* Kevin McQuiggin // *From:* Gunnar Helliesen // *List:* port-vax *Date:* 04/26/1996 03:14:15 On Thu, 25 Apr 1996, Kevin McQuiggin wrote: > At 02:34 PM 96.04.25 +0200, you wrote: > >I'm searching for the pinout of the serial console/printer cable for > >VAXstation 3100, which might be the same as the one used for > >eg. DECstation 3100. > > > I don't have the answer, but it's a good candidate for the FAQ. > > Gunnar, I suggest this get added once the answer arrives. > > Kevin I think the answer did arrive (at least in my inbox, a few hours ago): -------------- included message ---------------------------------- Date: Thu, 25 Apr 96 17:05:57 +0200 From: urban@rto.dec.com To: bertram@ifib.uni-karlsruhe.de, port-pmax@NetBSD.ORG, port-vax@NetBSD.ORG Subject: Re: pinout for serial console cable Looking at the MMJ jack: _____________ | 1 2 3 4 5 6 | ---------. . --- Posit# Description Corresponding RS232 1 Data terminal ready 20 2 Transmit (+) 2 3 Transmit (-) ---\___ 7 4 Receive (-) ---/ 5 Receive (+) 3 6 Data set ready 6 ...or the plug... ____________ this is the clip-thing that holds | it in the socket... v _____ -----------| |-- | |_____| | | | | O O O O O O | -------------------- 1 2 3 4 5 6 As you can see, it's kind-of a differential setup, which actually isn't all that dumb. It's just that we seem to be the only ones using it :-). (not to mention that important signals arn't there...) Rob Urban ---------------- end included message --------------------------- At least I think this is the answer. It depends on what Bertram was really asking for... The VAXstation 3100 doesn't use a _special_ cable to allow the use of a regular terminal as console, instead there's a dip-switch (accessible from the rear of the machine through a small hole in the cabinet) that allows you to set the machine in one of two modes: - VAXstation 3100 with graphics console - VAXserver 3100 with regular console Note that mode two is VAXserver, not the regular MicroVAX. The difference is that the VMS License Manager will allow you to install a multiuser OS license of type (e.g. the "Activity" key on the license) 'C' (VMS Concurrent User) on a MicroVAX 3100, but only a type 'B' (VMS Server) on a VAXserver 3100. The 'B' license is a single-user license, you could not a install a type 'C' multi-user license on a VAXserver CPU if you tried (but then again, there's more than one way to skin a cat... ;-) I guess what the dip-switch really does is set the CPU type reported to the OS if it cares to ask (e.g $getsyi("CPU"), $getsyi("HW_NAME") and/or $getsyi("HW_MODEL")). The message from Rob Urban above describes the standard pinout for an MMJ jack, it's the same cable you would use to connect to any DEC equipment using these plugs (for example the DECserver 90, the CXA16 terminal multiplexer and many more). The pinout is also the same for the more standard jacks with the "lip" located in the middle: ____________ this is the clip-thing that | holds it in the socket... v _____ -------| |------ | |_____| | | | | O O O O O O | -------------------- 1 2 3 4 5 6 This jack is used by many other companies, Emulex terminal servers come to mind... I think even DEC has started to use this jack lately. So, if Bertram was asking how to connect a terminal with a DB25 connector to a VAXstation with an MMJ jack then the answer lies in Rob Urban's message. However, if the question was "how do I get the VAXstation 3100 to _not_ use the graphics display as console but use MMJ jack # 1 as console instead", then the answer is: There is no special cable, use the dip-switch. Bertram? Gunnar PS. Might be FAQable either way. I'm really pressed for time at the moment, but an update of the FAQ is overdue. I'll see what I can do... DS. -- Gunnar Helliesen | Bergen IT Consult AS | NetBSD/VAX on a uVAX II Systems Consultant | Bergen, Norway | Jaguar Enthusiast/Ford owner gunnar@bitcon.no | http://www.bitcon.no/ | Vicki who? What .sig virus?