MP console connection - Integrity rx2620 server

[Miguel Rentes]

Hi everyone!

I'm trying to connect to the MP console of a Integrity rx2620 server using the null-modem cable and connecting the other end to my laptop using a rs232-usb converter (I only have 2 usb ports in my laptop, and no serial ports).

The problem is that when I try to connect to the MP console serial port using HyperTerminal or Putty I can't access the MP Main Menu. I tried 2 different tests: using the remote-usb-console cable from my HP server at one end and the other end my rs232-usb converter into my laptop. The other test was putting a null-modem cable in the rs232-usb converter and connecting this cable into the remote-usb-console hp cable. When I run HyperTerminal or Putty and click "connect" I see nothing and can't write anything at HyperTerminal/Putty prompt. Isn't supposed to see the MP Main Menu right after I connect?

Here's my configuration:

port: COM5 or COM6 depending on the USB port I connect the null-modem cable/rs232-usb converter
emulation: vt100
bits per second: 9600
data bits: 8
parity: none
stop bits: 1
flow control: none

Can you give me any hints on what can be the problem? I need to configure the MP IP address so I can remotely access the MP, and I'm trying to configure it using the MP serial port.

Thanks in advance,

Miguel Rentes

[Torsten.]

I had also problems with several USB-serial converters in the past. Now I have one that is working.

The problem was never the server, but always the USB converter.

[Miguel Silva Rentes]

I'm feeling quite desperate. I want to configure MP IP address and it's been quite a battle to do such a simple thing. I have also tried to do it with arp -s/ping method as described in the manual but with no success too. I also tried to connect a crossover cable into MP ethernet port and to do a telnet 192.168.1.1 (having a local IP 192.168.0.* and 192.168.1.*) and nothing worked.

So, if I can't connect to MP using the crossover cable, the RS232 port, what else can I do?... I'm not sure that the RS232 cable (and the null-modem cable) are working properly, my RS232-usb converter has a light that flashes whenever there's communication and as far as I can see it is flashing when I try to connect it to the MP console port =) but I really need help to solve this problem.

Can anyone tell me if I'm supposed to see the MP Main Menu when I connect to the MP console port or do I have to give a command (at hyperterminal prompt after connecting the cables) to access it?

Just a small correction: my server is a rx2660 and not a rx2620 as I stated in my previous post.

All the help would be very appreciated.

Best regards,

Miguel Rentes

[Torsten.]

I have no problems with *my* converter when I'm using putty. I don't use hyperterm because of many problems.

Do you have a DHCP server in your network?

The default MP LAN setting for this system is to use DHCP. The system name is mp+mac-address, e.g.

mp12345678

see the label for this value.

[Miguel Rentes]

Hi Torsten,

>I have no problems with *my* converter when >I'm using putty. I don't use hyperterm >because of many problems.

I used PuttY as well with no efect...

>Do you have a DHCP server in your network?

Yes.

>The default MP LAN setting for this system >is to use DHCP. The system name is mp+mac-address, e.g.

>mp12345678

I've also tried doing a telnet mp+MAC and I can't connect to the MP as well... can it be caused by a wrong configuration from the DHCP server?

Regards,

Miguel Rentes

[Torsten.]

"it be caused by a wrong configuration from the DHCP server?"

Maybe.

I would try another USB converter.
IMHO some are not working as expected.

[Trevor Roddam_1]

Sorry for the basic question,
The power is connected and the server turned on?

Just connecting a power lead isn't enough.

I would try turning on the HW flow control. Sometimes the USB serial things ( Especially the cheep ones) don't work well to the console.

[Torsten.]

"Just connecting a power lead isn't enough."

No. The MP is starting as soon as the power is plugged in. The power state of the server may be off. The MP is still working.

[Miguel Silva Rentes]

Yes, I have everything powered up. I'm working on the machine =D

If I wanted to set the MP's IP address using a crossover cable, what is the best procedure to do it? Yesterday I tried to do a telnet 192.168.1.1 using a crossover but that didn't work because I got no packages from the ethernet board.

Can you help me on this one?

Best regards,

Miguel Rentes

[Torsten.]

You can go to the system management homepage
(localhost:2301) to see if you get the current setting from there. But if not already changed, it is DHCP - so a crossover cable only works if you have a DHCP server running on your PC.

Any other system with a serial port available?

[Miguel Silva Rentes]

Hi Torsten,

DHCP is disabled because my server has a fixed IP address.

I have another server just like this one and it also has a fixed IP address. Do I have to enabled DHCP in order to do a telnet to the MP ethernet port?

Regards,

Miguel Rentes

[Torsten.]

Can you see the address from system management homepage?

[Miguel Silva Rentes]

Hi Torsten,

From the System Management Homepage -> Network Information I can see in the Lan Information that lan0 is OK and in the IP Routing Table I can see the correct IP address for the server. I can't seen anything about MP card.

Is this information you wanted to know? If not, can you please be more specific?

Best regards,

Miguel Rentes

[Torsten.]

No, lan0 is a different thing.

If you log on to SMH, you'll find in the left area an entry "Management Processor".

Any link there?

On some system model you can get the configured MP IP address from there (does not work for all servers).

[Miguel Silva Rentes]

No link there... but I accessed another server's SMH which has the MP configured properly and got no link there too. Any suggestions on what to do now?

Regards,

Miguel Rentes

[The Brit]

I know this really doesn't help to fix your problem, but!!@

Is there no way you can get your hands on a laptop with a serial port??

(it may take less time to track one down, than it takes to find the actual solution to your problem)

I sympathize, (been there!!)

Dave.

[Trevor Roddam_1]

Torsten.

Yes, the power is supplied to the MP once a live power cord is attached; however; when using the server for the first time, until the power button is used the MP will not appear to respond. Start up the server and and shutdown -h now the MP will be usable.

This is as per my exp with the servers. It is contrary to expectations but that IT....

Migule.

As you were saying there is no link, if connected to a switch make sure the port is auto sensing. MP ports are 100 Base not gigabit. Sometimes switches are fixed at 1000BaseT.
http://www.docs.hp.com/en/5991-6006/5991-6006.pdf
Is the manual, Figure 3-1 has a flowchart to follow. Now if you have the server configured for Window there are separate instructions.

Trevor.