ups communication fail with hp ux

[jonesliu]

The hp server model is rp3410 with hp ux 11.31 OS.

The UPS communicate with rp3410 by the RS232.  ther serial port attached with the UPS is DB-9 pin.

I use one M-Cable (DB-25pin convert to DB-9pin)

I check the UPS port:

0/7/1/0：/dev/cua0p0, /dev/mux0,/dev/diag/mux0,/dev/tty0p0

that means the UPS port should be /dev/tty0p0

For the rp3410 'M' Cable:

/dev/tty0p0 --> UPS port

/dev/tty1p0 --> Console port

/dev/tty1p2 --> Remote port (modem port)

/dev/tty1p4 --> Local session port (This does not physically exist external to the server - still not sure what it

but I try to send the command to the UPS via /dev/tty0p0, no response from UPS:

Input the command: cu -ml /dev/tty0p0

it shows:  conneted

 I type "Q1"(The UPS command), no response

search the device by the software  also fail

I am sure the M-CABLE work , for I try to login the system by another computer terminal.

so , what should I do?

P.S. This thread has been moved from HP-UX > General to Servers > 9000. - Hp Forum Moderator

[Torsten. · Accepted solution]

The old connector showed on your pictures is NOT the M cable!

This is it:

Guess why this is called M- or W-cable ;-)

The connection you made is the console connection.

[jonesliu]

Hi  torsten      

Sorry, I cannot see your image, it show as black cross.

Can you upload  it as attached?

I cannot understand why the console connection is unavaible for the UPS communication, it should obey the standard RS232 protocal.

[Torsten.]

What browser you are using?

[jonesliu]

IE 10

I want to download the image  then purchase the same cable through the website shop.

I think it is a little hard to find the cable, try best.

[Matti_Kurkela]

You can find the description and pin-out of the black M cable here:

http://labs.hoffmanlabs.com/node/1304

The console port on a rp3410 is connected through the iLO MP, which requires you to login to the MP first before giving you access to the console data. When the iLO MP is console port is in logged-out state, the HP-UX output to the console port goes to iLO MP console log only; any input from the outside goes to the iLO MP instead of the HP-UX operating system.

The console port also misses the RI, DCD, DTR and DSR handshaking pins, since there are not enough pins for 3 complete 9-pin serial ports in a 25-pin connector. If the console port is used for its intended purpose, those handshaking pins are not required; but a connection to an UPS might require those pins.

The remote and UPS ports are included in the same 25-pin connector, but in non-standard pin positions. The UPS port can always be directly driven by the HP-UX operating system; the remote port can be switched to either iLO MP mode or direct-accessible mode in the iLO MP configuration (MP login -> CM for Command Menu -> CA for Config Async, if I recall correctly).

[Torsten.]

Part# is A6144-63001.

Your adapter looks not really reliable, by the way ...  ;-)

[Bill Hassell]

>> I cannot understand why the console connection is unavaible for the UPS communication, it should obey the standard RS232 protocal.

The connection has NOTHING standard-RS232 about it. The W (or M) cable has been used for HP systems for many years, but just like the infamous 'blue flat cable' required to talk to Cisco switches, it follows no standard. For the W cable, it was a matter of cabinet space. Only a few pins are needed for simple RS232 communication and 3 ports are needed for the server (console, remote support modem and UPS). Three separate 25pin (standard RS232 D-type) connectors requires a LOT of space on the back panel. Three separate 9pin (not so standard) connectors is less but a single 25pin with screwy wiring saves a lot of panel space.

Your server (like all the PARISC systems with a combo connector) was shipped with a W cable. You can easily find the cable on eBay and dozens of Internet cable suppliers. Get a couple of them and then label them as required for your server. Keep them next to the blue Cisco cable, the collection of RJ45-to-9pin adapters and a null-modem adapter needed for support of the dozens of non-standard servers where pins 2&3 need to be swapped.