AS400 Serial Console

[YIMMER]

Is there a way yo connect a serial console instead of the old terminal type.
Thanks

 

[jmanj]

Can you please elaborate serial console? Are you still using the old 5250 dumb terminals using a twinax cabling? If you are using dumb terminals then YES there is a way of replacing the twinax cable with a common two pair wiring or RS232 ethernet wiring.

 

[YIMMER]

yes , the old twinax type . I was looking at a twinax to RJ45 converter. Will this work for a serial interface connection .
Thanks for the quick reply

 

[YIMMER]

If you have the rs232 pinout that would be great.
Thanks

 

[jmanj]

I've worked on this a very long time ago so please bear with me. I remember I have to order from IBM those connectors that will replace the twinax connectores. You will need a pair of them which will be used by the dumb terminal and at the port in the host computer. This is also true if you are using remote controllers. If you are doing this conversion over many terminals and locations, I would suggest calling those electrical contractors to install you wiring structures. I would suggest using RS232 which an be used by both phone and ethernet.

You can also ask IBM for an upgrade to your communication board to replace the twinax adapter(host) and if you have a PC you can simply buy a 5250 emulation software(try download TN5250 from the internet. I think it's free). There are many ways of converting your old twinax connections into the basic two pair connection(just ask IBM).

I have forgotten how the pinout configurations are. For two pair connection(RJ45) you will be using the two inner pins just like a phone wiring. Just make sure that you observe polarity on both ends of the connectors.

 

[jmanj]

When creating two pair connectors and you don't have a tool to test polarity, simply put the two connectors side by side and check the wire colors should be in the same pin positions.

 

[HitechUser]

The term you are refering to is Baluns. This allows you to run your twinax devices (and others) over twisted pair cable versus twinax cable.

Here is a link Balun. I have NOT used this product, but I have used baluns from other manufactures. They work well.

Here is a link that explains the pinouts. Pinouts

I hope this helps...