[Info-vax] USB/DB9 terminal converter for RX2660

[Stephen Hoffman]

On 2016-06-02 15:13:04 +0000, rcyoung said:

> Am looking for a way to connect a Macintosh OS/X system as a 
> terminal/console on an rx2660 w/ OpenVMS 8.4 using it's USB connection.

The USB is not and cannot be an Integrity system console.  You can use 
that with a USB keyboard and the VGA adapter as a local DECwindows 
display and (on this and other "recent" Integrity boxes) as a console, 
but the VMS serial console isn't exposed via USB.  The console is 
exposed via COM1 DB9 or via iLO or (on recent boxes) DECwindows.

> Saw some references that a serial/USB Edgeport might work. but info is scarce.

There are various ways to hook serial lines to USB on OpenVMS, but that 
won't work as a console.

> I would like to use Silex2000WG or similar device and Keyspan 
> usb/serial adapter to connect Macintosh terminal program to 
> Itanium/Integrity rx2660 over a network line (Silex makes the USB 
> Keyspan USB to serial adapter  "appear" to be connected to the Mac 
> directly over network). I have this part working already to a serial 
> printer.

OpenVMS has USB drivers for some functions, printers and serial 
terminals — serial terminals, as differentiated from the system console 
— and other devices.

> Only question is, will the USB from Digi’s converter ( or someone 
> else's USB to DB9 converter)  go to the RX2660 and appear and make DB9 
> serial terminal connection possible for user login.  Basically, I need 
> some USB/db9 converter that the RX2660 will see and allow a user to 
> login on with a serial terminal. I believe there have been some refs 
> that on the Integrity side only certain chip systems will be recognized 
> by the RX2660 for serial connections..

You're conflating USB serial terminal access with the system console 
with the USB keyboard.

> I am hoping this has been tried before (maybe not the addition of the 
> Silex, but the rest of it...maybe???)?

Why not use the iLO?   Most rx2660 boxes had that access, and you can 
telnet or (if you have the licenses) ssh into that.

If you happen to have an Integrity system without the iLO (and can't 
scrounge an iLO), then use the USB to serial adapter on the Mac, and 
connect that to the COM1 DB9 via a DB9 cable.


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