SPARCstation IPX serial port problems

[pkhoury]

I'm using both a Sun and an Apple 8 pin DIN to DB25 cable, and I'm not getting ANY serial output. It worked before, but the only change I did was upgrade the bootprom to 2.9. I have yet to try it with a lower/original bootprom.

I can use the same null modem cable setup on an Ultra 5 and that works as it's supposed to. The systemboard jumpers are both set to RS232. Just wanted to see if anyone had any suggestions.

 

[mdog69]

Not all Apple cables mini-8 to DB25F are compatible with the original Sun cables.

Have a look here:

Serial Port & Cable Pinouts » SunHELP

Sun & Solaris Help, News, and Information

www.sunhelp.org

If it worked before, then I would start on the premise that changing to the 2.9 boot rom reset some NVRAM settings, and the previous settings for handshaking have been changed or overwritten.
Your starting points when messing with OBP settings on Sparc boxes
here: https://irtfweb.ifa.hawaii.edu/~spex/computers/spex1/techdocs/1201-hilodog/SunOBP_Quick_Ref.pdf
and
here https://docs.oracle.com/cd/E19253-01/816-1177-10/816-1177-10.pdf
noting that both documents are NOT for v2.9 (so many commands won't work as they aren't supported), but that's what I've used for reference purposes when dealing with any Sparc based product starting from the IPX through SparcStation 5 upto various V4xx/V2xx Sunfire boxen.

For the record, the lead I use on my IPX has the part number 530-1662-01.

 

[pkhoury]

Not all Apple cables mini-8 to DB25F are compatible with the original Sun cables.

Have a look here:

Serial Port & Cable Pinouts » SunHELP

Sun & Solaris Help, News, and Information

www.sunhelp.org

Good to know. I have both a genuine Sun cable and some Apple cables. Tried both with no luck.

If it worked before, then I would start on the premise that changing to the 2.9 boot rom reset some NVRAM settings, and the previous settings for handshaking have been changed or overwritten.
Your starting points when messing with OBP settings on Sparc boxes
here: https://irtfweb.ifa.hawaii.edu/~spex/computers/spex1/techdocs/1201-hilodog/SunOBP_Quick_Ref.pdf
and
here https://docs.oracle.com/cd/E19253-01/816-1177-10/816-1177-10.pdf
noting that both documents are NOT for v2.9 (so many commands won't work as they aren't supported), but that's what I've used for reference purposes when dealing with any Sparc based product starting from the IPX through SparcStation 5 upto various V4xx/V2xx Sunfire boxen.

For the record, the lead I use on my IPX has the part number 530-1662-01.

I can't imagine 2.9 being that much different than what was on there before, but some NVRAM settings changing makes sense. I'll go through and see if anything looks awry. I've just heard that NetBSD and possibly Linux like seeing the lastest bootprom revision, which is why I upgraded. I don't remember what it was on before. Maybe 2.3? The crappy part is I already misplaced the original EPROM. :-/

 

[pkhoury]

Not all Apple cables mini-8 to DB25F are compatible with the original Sun cables.

I don't know why, but I pulled the NVRAM, and I was able to get serial console - both the Sun and the Apple cable. Put the NVRAM back in, and it still worked. Why it didn't work the other night across several reboots and power-ons, I don't know. Either way, I did setenv ttya-mode and setenv ttyb-mode and all is well. Then modified other settings within Solaris, so I get a serial term login upon bootup. The nice thing about the Apple cable is its length (it's at least 6 feet long).