Console locked

[ConnieK]

I have connected a serial cable to the serial port in the back of an HP RP7420 to access the console. (I have a terminal emulator). The console is unresponsive when I connect. I have re-booted the server and have attempted to connect again, but with no luck. Tried CNTRL/Break - no success. This is a vpars server. Can anyone help me to get my console prompt back? What am I missing? Do you need more info from me to help me diagnose?

[Mel Burslan]

are you sure your terminal emulator is emulating a terminal recognized by the system console. Also, is your terminal emulator working in a way to get its input from the serial port of your laptop/PC ?

My best suggestion to you is to find a hardware terminal, an hp at the best case, and hook it up to see where the problem is originating from.

Also if you can telnet/ssh into this server one way or another, try to see if the getty process is listening for console access.

[Duncan Edmonstone]

Are you using a null-modem cable? A straight through serial cable won't do the job.

Most people these days don't bother with the serial connection - just use the MP LAN instead.

HTH

Duncan

[vinod_25]

hi ConnieK

There are three possibilities to get console connections:

1. on Board serial port (it is labled 'console')
2. MP serial console port (the label is on the black 'M'-cable)
3. VGA-Terminal on the MP

To connect a terminal to the serial ports, use the following settings:

9600 bits/s
8 data bits
1 stop bit
no parity

Regards

Vinod K

[Devesh Pant_1]

You can also check the cable with a loop back connector or by shorthing the pins 2 and 3 on teh connector to isolate if it is the TX/TX signals on the terminal side - the Terminal emulator should echo back whatever you type.
I remember in the old days when the 1488 and 1489 ICs would just get fried so easily. Their CMOS counterparts worked a lot better but you never know.

It could as well be the serial port on the server side
thanks
Devesh

[Alastair Donaldson]

On the rp7410 / 7420 cell 1 is the primary cell. Make sure that the serial console is plugged into the serial port on cell 1. (The bottom Core I/O card).

[ConnieK]

To all:

I really got busy here and did not get a chance to reply, but I do now. This issue has been resolved. The MP serial console port was the one I connected to and was unable to get a response.

I initiated a hardware support call. The engineer told me to try a few things first, but nothing worked. I ended up halting the server and unplugging all 4 power cables for a few seconds (over 10) and then bringing everything back up & online. The engineer stated that probably the MP needed to be "reset". The MP console came right back up and looked normal.

It is unknown why the initial problem occurred.

Thanks to all for the assistance.

[Matti_Kurkela · Accepted solution]

Most HP rpxxxx servers have a way to reset the MP (or GSP) without powering down the server.

One way is "stty +resetGSP
In that case, there might be a GSP/MP reset button somewhere on the server case. It might be near the TOC button - be careful not to mix them up. On rp54xxx series, the GSP reset button is in an especially difficult location: you need to pull the server from rack and find the button inside the PCI card cage door. (There might be a hole in the PCI card cage door which allows pushing the button without opening the door)

In any case, check if there is newer MP firmware available: MP firmware update might prevent the problem from reoccurring.

[ConnieK]

Closing threads - assigning points I forgot to do.