Accessing a hp 9000 A -class server

[PAtrick_19]

I've just inherited a hp 9000 A-class server. I haven't used hp-ux before and hp servers. I've very little documentation. I was just wondering is there any defualt method of connecting to this kind of server. I've tried connecting to it via serial connection but not too sure why it's not connecting. Would it be possible to see if there is some default standard to check to see if the server is running properly. Or does anyone have further ideas. Thank you

[Stefan Saliba]

You should have received a cable which looks like a Dtype 25 from one side and three 9 pin serial from the other. Connect a Terminal to the console connector , it is marked on the connector with the word console, the others should have ups and remote, and power up the machine. You should start receiving messages on the console.

If you have a web console you can set that up instead of a normal console and acess the console from the web browser.

As a small test before powering up the machine is to apply power to the machine without switching it on. This will power the internal GSP card.

Connect the console and Press ctrl-B. this should get you to the GSP login prompt. if this does not show then your console is not set properly. If you use and HP terminal be sure to have REMOTE ON.
I have tried it on a laptop via serial port and it works as well. By default it is set to 9600 8-N-1.

check out http://docs.hp.com for further details


good luck
stefan

[PAtrick_19]

Thanks a mill for the help, I've tried hout trying to connect to the server with hyperterminal on a pc. I'm getting no response from the terminal at all. The problem with the web server console is, I've no video card installed on the server so I can't check the pc to see if the console is installed. If there and further ideas, I would be greatly appreciated it. Thanks once again

[Michael Tully]

Hi Patrick,

A few things to try....

First off can you ping the system from your PC?
Can you connect using 'telnet' (one of the
default connection protocols) either by the
host name of the IP address?
In the reponse by Stefan, he gave some
information in regards to the system console,
do you have one, or can you get your hands
on one?
What lights are displayed on the front of the
unit?

-Michael

[Bill Hassell]

The console port will be set to 9600, 8N1. However, as with all serial connections, there are two types of cables: straight through (known as a modem cable), and cross-over (known as a null modem or printer/terminal cable).

You can purchase/make the cross-over cable but it is a lot easier to purchase a 9pin-9pin null modem adapter. It performs the crossover.

Note that the web console, if it is connected to the console port, does not need a graphics display. It translates a serial connection into a web page that any PC or web browser system can see. Setup for the web console requires some detailed instructions which are available from docs.hp.com.

[John Payne_2 · Accepted solution]

If you really have a secure web console in the server, (and you should if whoever you "inherited" the server knew what they we doing when they ordered it, they are only $25 with the A500.) Then you should set that up to get you started viewing the console. You do not need a video card on the server, you just need to get to it from a web browser on your pc. For instructions on how to set it up, see: http://docs.hp.com//hpux/onlinedocs/hw/class_a/a400/content/00/02/QU/idd_2/6.html The base of that site, http://docs.hp.com//hpux/onlinedocs/hw/class_a/a400/ is a handy reference for the basics on setting up an A500 for the novice. You should have it on a cd that was shipped with the server. (Although I can't guarentee that you inherited that also...) If the web docs do not do what you expect, I have a whole stack of them. (Seriously.) Let me know, and I can send you a disk. (But the web content is the same.)

Good luck.

John

[PAtrick_19]

Thanks a mill guys, I've secured the connection via the secure web console. Now I can start on some of the more interesting things. Cheers. :)