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OpenVMS Hobbyist Program | Alpha Systems Forums | Alpha Hardware Forum
Author DIY Console Cable
xmiles
Member

Posts: 4
Joined: 21.11.07
Posted on November 21 2007 23:32
Hi Everybody!

I just got 2 ES40s with 4 cpus each etc...

They both boot but they have the i/o ports disabled. No ps2 no video.

Doing research I found that I need to connect to the MMJ Console Port to get started! Easier said than done!

I tried making my own cable using a 6 pin RJ11 and a Db 9 serial connector following instructions found here:
http://www.lammertbies.nl/comm/cable/dec-mmj.html#h71j

I ended up doing this:
LOOKING AT OPENING, TAB IS AT TOP LEFT

[img:11f2980be3]http://www.lammertbies.nl/picture/db9_mmj_H8571-J.png[/img:11f2980be3]

This shows the connections I made with the wire color. Each line is a connection:
eg: db9 ports 6,1,8 connect to MMJ port 6.....

Db9 pinout ----------- MMJ
6=GRAY---------------6= BROWN/WHITE
1=YELLOW------------6= BROWN/WHITE
7=PURPLE-----------------NONE
8=BLUE----------------6= BROWN/WHITE
9=GREEN------------------NONE
2=ORANGE------------5= BROWN
5=BLACK---------4 & 3= BLUE & GREEN
4=BROWN-------------1= BLUE
3=RED-----------------2= ORANGE

MMJ pinout
6= BROWN/WHITE
5= BROWN
4= GREEN
3= BLUE/WHITE
2= ORANGE
1= BLUE

I cut off the symmetrical clip on the connector so that it fits in the MMJ port.
The other end goes to my laptops USB Serial adapter. I know that works. I use Hyperterminal - 9600 on/off vt100 emulation

When connected nothing happens.
Is this configuration correct? I tried it backwards too, just in case the connector was facing the wrong way in the diagram. But nothing.

Anyone have the correct connection scheme for this?

I would really appreciate any input!

Thanks to all!


-xmiles
Author
xmiles
Member

Posts: 4
Joined: 21.11.07
Posted on November 22 2007 12:44
Hello, Thanks for the quick response!

I looked at the diagrams you provided and they are identical to mine. Initially, I was not aware that the BC16E cable crosses over, however I did flip the MMJ side just in case the diagram was wrong. That should compensate for the missing crossover, correct?

i will be re-doing the cable in case there is a faulty connection. I'll try Putty on it too and report back!

-xmiles
Author
xmiles
Member

Posts: 4
Joined: 21.11.07
Posted on November 22 2007 21:46
OK, So i re-crimped the RJ11 plug and tested all leads and cables with a voltimeter.

I changed the color coding on the MMJ side because I couldn't get the leads in order. But, you can see I still followed the diagram.

I also inverted the MMJ side to simulate the BC16E cable

LOOKING AT OPENING TAB IS TOP LEFT – WITH CROSSOVER
D9---------------------mmj
6= GRAY--------------1= ORANGE
1=YELLOW -----------1= ORANGE
7=PURPLE - NONE
8=BLUE---------------1= ORANGE
9=GREEN – NONE
2=ORANGE-----------2= WHITE BLUE
5=BLACK-------------4= BLUE & 3= BROWN
4=BROWN------------6= GREEN
3=RED----------------5= WHITE BROWN

I tried PUTTY and HyperTerminal, but that was a no-go. Did I screw up?
Unfortunately i do not have a breakout box and I'm not 100% sure the cable is working.

Also, what did you mean to say "wiring as DCE or DTE is conceivable?"

If there are alternative ways to wire this, I'm all ears!
If it helps: I use a CISCO Console Cable with this serial adapter without any problems!

I could not find the pinout for the USB Serial adapter. Its a keyspan part# USA-19HS.

Is there any other way to enable the PS2 keyboard or to look at the running config?

Thanks!

-xmiles
Author
xmiles
Member

Posts: 4
Joined: 21.11.07
Posted on November 25 2007 00:17
Thank you very much for all your help! I think I will follow your advice and just buy the cable with the adapter.

Thanks again!

-xmiles
Author RE: DIY Console Cable
PIEBALDconsult
Member

Posts: 11
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Joined: 21.03.08
Posted on May 07 2008 15:15
I had to do the same thing except I had a BC16E-10 cable laying around. I cut it in half and added a 9-pin male Dsub connector to each new end.

I used to do this sort of thing all the time. Seeing cables with a bunch of adapters drives me nuts.


The pinout of the MMJ is (when looking at the pins)

1 DTR
2 TX
3 TGND
4 RGND
5 RX
6 DSR

The pinout of the PC com port is

1 CD
2 RX
3 TX
4 DTR
5 SGND
6 DSR
7 RTS
8 CTS
9 RI

MMJ DB9
1 6 DTR - DSR
2 2 TX - RX
3 5 TGND - SGND
4 5 RGND - SGND
5 3 RX - TX
6 4 DSR - DTR

Also, on the DB9, side connect pins 1, 7, and 8 together.
Pin 9 needn't be connected.

I don't use Hyperterminal, but I just tried it and it was fine.
Settings: 9600, 8, none, 1, hardware.

The terminal emulation software I use is called QVT and I can't seem to find their site (QPC), so they may be defunct.
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August 04 2022
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July 20 2022
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January 03 2022
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Make that DECdfs _2.1A_ for Vax

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October 27 2021
I'm looking for DECdfs V2.4A kit for VAX. Asking here just in case anyone is still listening.

MarkRLV
September 17 2021
At one time, didn't this web site have a job board? I would love to use my legacy skills one last time in my career.

malmberg
January 18 2021
New Hobbyist PAKs for VAX/VMS are no longer available according to reports. Only commercial licenses are reported to be for sale from HPE

dfilip
January 16 2021
Can someone please point me to hobbyist license pak? I'm looking for VAX/VMS 7.1, DECnet Phase IV, and UCX/TCPIP ... have the 7.1 media, need the license paks ... thanks!

Bart
October 16 2020
OpenVMS, and this website!

malmberg
September 05 2020
VSI community non-commercial licenses for AXP/IA64 are available now.

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September 05 2020
See the forum about licensing. Don't know if HPE hobby licenses still being issued. Commercial licenses still being sold.

silfox70
September 01 2020
I need the license for OpenVMS7.3. Where can I find them?

malmberg
August 29 2020
Eisner, which is currently being moved, got an SSH update and the keys were updated to more modern encryption standards.

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