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SERVSWITCH™
4.4 Using the RS-232 Port
4.4.1 C
ONNECTING
E
QUIPMENT TO THE
P
ORT
For your convenience, a computer or terminal with an EIA/TIA RS-232 serial port
can be connected to the RS-232 serial port (RJ-12 connector) on the ServSwitch’s
rear panel (see Appendix C for a pinout of this connector). This allows you to send
switching commands from a non-local keyboard rather than from the shared
keyboard, and is also necessary in order to download future firmware upgrades
into the Switch. You’ll need a straight-through-pinned, flat-satin or twisted-pair
serial cable with RJ-12 (“6-pin RJ-11”) connectors plus the appropriate adapter: for
IBM type PCs and most terminals, either DB25 female to RJ-11 female (our
product code FA044) or DB9 female to RJ-11 female (our product code FA043),
depending on your computer/terminal.
To connect the adapter and cable, take these steps:
1. Connect an adapter of the appropriate type to one of the computer’s (or
terminal’s) serial ports.
2. Plug one end of the cable into the RJ-12 female connector on the adapter,
and the other end into the RS-232 serial port on the ServSwitch’s rear panel.
CAUTION!
Serial cabling in excess of 50 feet (15.2 m) should be routed with
caution. The maximum cable length depends upon the construction of
the cable and its routing. For extended runs, shielded cable should be
used. Avoid routing near fluorescent lights, air-conditioning
compressors, or machines that may create electrical noise. If you
experience a lot of data errors, use shorter cables. The ServSwitch’s
lowest data rate is 9600 bps; it cannot be lowered any further to alleviate
this problem.