This chapter describes how to connect a serial console to the server. Possible types of serial consoles include
an IBM compatible personal computer, described in “Connecting an IBM Compatible Personal Computer As the Serial Console”
a Macintosh computer, described in “Connecting a Macintosh Computer as the Serial Console”
In addition, you can use the following as system consoles for your server:
a character (ASCII) display terminal
another Silicon Graphics server (such as Onyx or Origin)
another manufacturer's workstation
Follow the instructions in the Silicon Graphics server owner's guide to unpack and set up the server. Install any memory, peripheral, or other options shipped with the system, and connect the power and network cables. Then do the following:
If you are using a character (ASCII) terminal or another Silicon Graphics workstation as the serial console for your server, follow the instructions in the server owner's guide to set up the server and the terminal, then turn to Chapter 3, “Setting Up the Terminal Emulator and Starting WebFORCE Internet Gateway.”
If you are using an IBM compatible computer as the serial console, proceed with the next section, “Connecting an IBM Compatible Personal Computer As the Serial Console”.
If you are using a Macintosh computer as the serial console, go to the section “Connecting a Macintosh Computer as the Serial Console”.
If you are using a workstation from a vendor other than Silicon Graphics as the serial console, go to “Connecting Other Types of Workstations as the Serial Console”.
Follow these steps to connect an IBM compatible personal computer (PC) to your server as the serial console:
Locate the appropriate serial cable. Some servers ship with the serial cable to connect to the PC-compatible computer. Otherwise contact your Silicon Graphics sales representative, or locate a serial cable with the correct connectors for the server's serial port 1 and the PC's COM1 or COM2 port.
Attach the PC's COM1 or COM2 port to port 1 of the Silicon Graphics server.
You can use either COM1 or COM2 on your personal computer.
Make a note of which COM port you use. You will need this information later when you configure the terminal emulator on the personal computer in Chapter 3, “Setting Up the Terminal Emulator and Starting WebFORCE Internet Gateway.”
You are now ready to configure your personal computer as a serial console for the server. Turn to Chapter 3, “Setting Up the Terminal Emulator and Starting WebFORCE Internet Gateway.”
Follow these steps to connect a Macintosh computer as the serial console for your server:
Locate the appropriate serial cable. Some servers ship with the serial cable to connect to the Macintosh computer. Otherwise contact your Silicon Graphics sales representative, or locate a serial cable with the correct connectors for the server's serial port 1 and a Macintosh serial port.
Attach the Silicon Graphics server's serial port 1 to the Macintosh serial port with the cable.
Make a note of which serial port you use on your Macintosh computer. You will need this information later when you configure the Macintosh as a serial console for the server.
You are now ready to configure your Macintosh computer as a serial console for the server. Turn to Chapter 3, “Setting Up the Terminal Emulator and Starting WebFORCE Internet Gateway.”
If you have a workstation that was not manufactured by Silicon Graphics, you can attach it to your WebFORCE Internet Gateway server in much the same way that you would attach a personal computer or Macintosh computer. Because of the different possible serial port configurations of various workstations, this book cannot provide all possible adapters. However, you can use the pin and signal descriptions in Table 2-1, below, to obtain or create the necessary adapter cable.
Table 2-1. Serial Connector Pin and Signal Descriptions
25-Pin Connector Pin Number (From Server) | Signal Type | Signal Type of Corresponding Workstation Connector Pin |
|---|---|---|
2 | TXD (Transmit Data) | RXD (Receive Data) |
3 | RXD (Receive Data) | TXD (Transmit Data) |
7 | GND (Ground) | GND (Ground) |
The specific connector type and pin numbers of the connector vary, depending upon the workstation you wish to connect. See your workstation documentation.
For additional information about the connector pins and signals on the server, see your server owner's guide.
Once you have connected your workstation to the server, you are ready to start the server and configure WebFORCE Internet Gateway. Turn to Chapter 3, “Setting Up the Terminal Emulator and Starting WebFORCE Internet Gateway.”