Console not working

[Sharon F. Santiago]

We have an rx1620 and have been having problems using the terminal console. It was previously working but the other day we installed a VGA card and when prompted if we want to save the changes, we said no. After that, we can't make the console working anymore. We've connected the Digital terminal console in the serial port and restarted but nothing is displayed in the screen. We also tried using a VGA monitor, disconnected the terminal and restarted but still nothing. I'd like to use the MP Lan Console but according to the manual, you have to make use of DDNS and unfortunately, we don't have that.

I'm already running out of options, could somebody help me please!!!

[Matti_Kurkela]

Here's a picture of the rear panel of a rx1620:
http://docs.hp.com/en/AB430-96004/img/gfx8.gif

Note that there are two "serial" ports: one in the "management board connectors" group and the other in the server itself.

If you have the management board installed, you must use the serial port of the management board to access the MP and the console. The manual on docs.hp.com does not seem to explicitly document it, but if it's similar to other rp/rx models, it is not quite a standard serial port.

There should be a short "splitter" cable: one end has a single 25-pin connector to the management board, the other end has at least two 9-pin connectors labeled "local" and "remote". Other HP models also have a third connector, labeled "UPS": the documentation does not say whether rx1620's management board cable has it too.

You'll want to use the "local" connector. Only it allows you to initially access the MP: the MP LAN and the "remote" connector must be enabled with the SA command of the MP before they can be used.

You don't really need DDNS for using the LAN console, but you'll have to use the local console to set up the LAN console parameters first: it's a completely separate LAN connector that is totally invisible to the operating system of the server.

MK

[Sharon F. Santiago]

Unfortunately, the MP card was bought separately and we didn't order the cable that you've mentioned. Can't I connect a simple serial cable to the 9-pin serial port at the back of the server?

And as I've mentioned, it was previously working, we just installed a video card and after that, we don't get any display anymore.

[Andrew Young_2 · Accepted solution]

Hi Sharon

There may be a way around setting up the LAN management console. Alas it means opening up the server as you will need the MAC address of MC LAN port.

Plug a crossover cable from another machine to the MC LAN connection. If you don't have a crossover cable plug both this machine and the other into a HUB (a switch will not work).

Using arp -s set up an entry for the MC LAN connection on the other server. You may need to add a DNS or a hosts entry to relate to that IP adress. Once that is set up ping the MC LAN address. It should automatically configure itself to the new IP address.

HTH

Andrew Y

[Sharon F. Santiago]

Hi Andrew,

Your suggestion worked, thank you very much for the help. I made use of my laptop and was able to do what you suggested.

Just one question before I close this thread, is there a way to check from MP why the terminal console is not working? I still need to make the terminal console work.

[Andrew Young_2]

Hi Sharon

Glad I could be of help.

Blame the Management Card. When you plug in the MC, console access is by default redirected to it.

However you can change it.

See this thread I had when I had this problem.

http://forums1.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/questionanswer.do?threadId=1085734

PS Don't forget to allocate points.

Regards

AY