Option11 backup using PCMCIA to USB adapter? 3

[x11dude]

Hi all,

Reading through these threads reminds me that a backup hasn't been done on our Option 11 in a long time.

Have any of you tried using a PCMCIA to USB adapter (to a standard USB memory stick)?

Or - do I need to hunt down a PC Card drive - and if so - should it be Type I, Type II or ??

Thanks in advance for any pointers!
-x11dude

 

[Wane47]

either type should work. plug into slot a on ssc if you want to do a archive (ld 143) or slot b if you want to do a bko backup (ld 43). If you need detailed instructions on these 2 type of backups just ask almost any of the old heads on this site can help.

 

[x11dude]

Thanks again Wane, I have the adapter and CF on order! Hopefully boss will approve...

I also need to try hooking the Meridian to a PC to get a backup that way (null modem on order). I am reading tons of threads that talk about problems interfacing the PBX - especially with MerMail. I don't have Procomm but I'll try eXceed (and Hyperterm) - I'd also like to try telnet or rlogin from Linux - have you tried it from Linux?

I am still using an old VT520 - currently on Port 1. Actually I was reading through a VT520 manual; for a dumb terminal it had quite a bit of capability - a 610 page manual! - including the ability to hookup a PS2 keyboard! I won't play around with that until I get a good backup - an hopefully I can get an emulator working!

Thanks again!
-x11dude

 

[Wane47]

you didn't mention what release your pbx is so I don't know how to answer your telnet question. The easy way to telnet is to purchase a ethernet to serial adapter. If your software is 4.50 and up and your pbx is on your network you can just use putty and do a ssh session to it.

as far as xbk goes any terminal emulation program that uses xmodem will work. if it is a big system I advise doing it on a high speed serial connection. at 1200 baud rate it can take a while.

 

[x11dude]

Hey there Wane, sorry about my slow response...release:

VERSION 2111
RELEASE 24
ISSUE 24+

and guess what I have my null modem - I am ready to try. Any more advice welcome, thanks!

 

[x11dude]

Well I finally hooked up to the Option11. I couldn't get anywhere. I'm using that horrid Hyperterm; also tried eXceed using VT100 emulation. I wasn't sure whether to try COM1 or COM3 so I tried both.

I probably should go in through Port 0 but didn't try that yet - I had just unhooked the VT520 and into a null modem into a PC. No communication at all that I could see.

Back to the drawing board...ideas welcome!

Is there a hostname on the option11?

Thanks!

 

[GHTROUT]

First you have to figure out what Com port your PC thinks is the 9 pin connector on its back. The BIOS of the PC is one way to tell. Otherwise, connect a modem to your PC, and figure out how to get it to respond to the command "AT" - then you know the com port is good.

After that, you know what to set Hyperterm to. Hyperterm will work fine for seeing if you can connect.

The best cable to test with is one that is hooked up and works today on the dumb terminal. Cause you know it works Check the terminal setup to see what speed it is set at.

VT100 or VT220 - either will work, 8N1.

If you get nothing, the trouble is in the adapters you added to get it to fit your PC.


--
Nortel Resources at GHTROUT.com
--

 

[Wane47]

if you are talking to the pbx through port 1 of your cable from the pbx to the vt520, you don't want to add a null modem when you connect to the pc. you would already have a null modem installed.

 

[x11dude]

What a fantastic forum! Thank you all! I am in, using Hyperterm!

I actually connected using Port 0 and the null modem. So right now I'm seeing Meridian prompts on both my PC and the dumb terminal.

From what I'm reading, I still shouldn't attempt to get into AX (Meridian Mail) using this method, right?

And yes, it was COM1 - I did verify in BIOS. Definitely dusting off my serial port skills, lol.

Thanks again so much guys! Now I try a backup - wish me luck!

best,
x11dude!

 

[GHTROUT]

I have a present on my site if you are interested. I can be reached from what you see below

--
Nortel Resources at GHTROUT.com
--

 

[x11dude]

Yay! My first successful backup! Hyperterm seemed to work OK for me.

The backup was 320KB. I am a happy camper!

Next maybe I should worry about a Meridian Mail backup - but that's lower down on the priority list.

Thanks again all! You rock!
x11dude

 

[cmawbey]

you may want to consider having a hard copy of your routes and TNB

use the capture feature in hyperterm

LD 21
req prt
type rdb

also

LD 20
req prt
type tnb
cust 0
c/r till it prints....

are u ok with entering mail... do u have the passwords ??

 

[x11dude]

Hi again Gibblett - I will do the hardcopies - great idea!

I use mermail (AX) all the time - but I've seen (on these threads) that people have trouble interfacing it with Hyperterm. Have you had success?

thanks!

 

[cmawbey]

sorry dont use hyperterm... cant advise.

 

[cmawbey]

Go to gene's site this is a great resource

http://www.ghtrout.com/ghtrout/index.html

look for the Conversion Utility ( BARS-TNB ) by DB

read the info sheet

capture all the required info run it all thro the utility and all your switches data is displayed in excel,, routes, sets etc, a really neat program...

 

[x11dude]

Very cool, thanks! At first I tried on Win7 Office2007 and kept getting that inane VB run error 75 or whatever. Tried on XP Office2003 and working great!

Very nice, thanks!
-x11dude