What would be the best terminal emulator?

[MAD_2]

We have a PA-RISC powered HP-UX 9000 Class D with OS HP-UX release B.10.20. The console monitor that it uses is a HP 700/96 (serial connection). Currently, we are putting all of our servers into a couple of KVM switches and encountered a problem when trying to add the HP.

The folks that were contracted to do the job suggested a few options to get around this problem, among these they provided the option of getting a terminal emulator (VT110) to be connected to the serial port and then to the KVM cable.

Any suggestions? Is this the best emulator or do any of the experts recommend another one? Where can I get detailed information about emulators we can use or other options in our situation? Also, what would happen to the console's special menu, would an emulator allow us to use the special function keys? If so, how can these keys be mapped (if that is possible)?

Do I need to provide any more information to find a solution?

Thanks,

[harry d brown jr]

What kind of KVM are you using? Have you tried using EM100 or vt100??

live free or die
harry

[MAD_2]

The KVM switches we are using are KEYPORT Millenia series from Connect-TEK.

The suggestion we are given is to use the vt100 (by the way, where can I find detailed information about these?). But what are the advantages/disadvantages of using that type emulators?

[F.J.Llorente Wayfarer · Accepted solution]

Hi!
First of all, let's assume you're using a standard KVM (DB15 conn for VGA + PS/2 conns for keyb and mouse) instead of a specific terminal KVM.

If you have more unix servers, a terminal specific KVM (like the one you can see at http://www.networktechinc.com/srvsw-term.html) could be a good idea.

But if you only have that one, I think a small hardware terminal emulator could be the best solution. You have, for instance, the Chamaleon Model S (from Lightwave, see http://www.lightwavecom.com/server_management/chameleon.html) which is just an small 'black box' that is capable to emulate a VT100 terminal... It has a serial input and VGA/MOUSE/KEYB output, pocket size...

I think this is the best solution.

Best regards.

[F.J.Llorente Wayfarer]

Ok. The your best option is the terminal converter. You have the avobe mentioned Chamaleon (The right url is http://www.lightwavecom.com/server_management/chameleon.html ).

You have also a Terminal converter from Raritan (good brand), the Guardian AUATC ASCII Terminal Converter. (see http://www.raritan.com/products_gdn.html )Converts RS232 serial port to PS/2 and Sun keyboard and VGA ports, plus CAT5 port. It's about 280$.

Just choose one of them and plug. Should work fine.

Regards.
Wayfarer.

[MAD_2]

Thanks everyone. I have checked the sites referenced here, but are these terminal emulation convertion units only for Solaris or will they be fine with the HP? I mean, the only difference with the HP is that it uses a serial port for the monitor, but the HP actually has regular PS2 mouse and keyboard ports.

Also the monitor itself (HP 700/96) has a keyboard port. How do the connections work, hook up the KVM keyboard and mouse cables to the back of the HP server and then use the serial converter only for the monitor? I am a little confused...

[Carlo Aranda]

Hello,

Did you ever get this solution working? I am currently in the same position and considering the Raritan AUATC. I have 2 HP 9000's with a ASCII Terminal Console. I also have several other VGA devices in the same rack. I want them all to connect to one Belkin KVM switch that will connect to the VGA LCD Console.