Sun v210 Serial Console Disabled?

[sUnNewb]

FIrst,...i'm a complet newb to Sun. I picked up a Sun v210 to learn,...and imagine my suprise when I couldn't figure out where to plug in the keyboard and monitor.

I've attached my Windows Vista laptop to the Serial Mgmt port using a USB to Serial converter. It registers itself on my system as COM6. I'm attempting to connect with the following settings: Bits/Sec: 9600; Data Bits:8; Parity:None; Stop Bits: 1; FLow Control: Hardware

The connection appears to go through, but results in my terminal blinking at me. I've attempted to send the Break command using various key combinations...I've attempted multiple terminal softare including Hyperterminal, Tera Term 3.1,..and a few others. I've even tried the above attempts on an older Windows XP laptop to no avail.

I can not seem to get past this point. I've trying power cycling the machine numerous times, I've tried the hard reset by pressing the power button twice as the machine is powering on.

Any ideas to help me? Is there a special cable I need to use?

 

[djr111]

you may need a null modem cable/adpter. they come in many different fashions. Most of the older systems need them if you intend on using a laptop. hyperterminal should work just fine with the right cables.

 

[sUnNewb]

I had a serial cable that I believed was a null modem cable. I purchased a new one to be sure, and I'm still having the same problem.

An extra measure of testing, I've power cycled the machine with the drives out. I'm still unable to see a console on this machine.

What can I try next?

 

[djr111]

do you have the ability to put a monitor and keyboard, does it have a video card?

if so, it may be that the OBP for input-device and output-device is set to monitor and keyboard versus ttya as it should be if you intend to use a the serial connection.

if you have a sun keyboard, the easy way to reset is power cycle the system, then immediately hold down <stop> <n> keys. hold it for some time since im not sure exactly where it reads the input from the keyboard.

this will reset it,

I guess you should have the ttya cable connected, and if you do have a video card, make sure nothing is connected to it.

try this if it does not work, you might think about removing the video card and trying again. It may default to the video card when it is in there, not sure.

if you do not have a keyboard to do <stop> <n>, there are key sequences you can do, with the power key or power button, you would have to search Sun for that.

 

[sUnNewb]

okay,...so, 3 cables later, I have console access. I was using the DB9 to DB9 Serial cable, with a USB to DB9 serial adapter on my laptop unsuccessfully.

I purchased Sun 530-3100 DB9 to RJ45 Serial Port Adapter. I hooked it up to my laptop and serial adapter, then plugged CAT-5 between the adapter and the Serial Mgt port. VOula! I know have console access.

Next step, password recovery. Suggestions?

 

[djr111]

boot from CD or network and mount the root disk and change it that way.

 

[MrTwig]

I recommend you set up the management processor so you can connect by telnet. There is a way to change the management password but it needs a bootable solaris install.