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CHAPTER 7: Using the Serial Ports
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 Matrix
ServSwitch’s lowest data rate is 9600 bps; it cannot be lowered any
further to alleviate this problem.
7.2 The Serial Options Menu
Once you have connected the dedicated terminal or computer running a terminal
emulator to one of the Matrix ServSwitch’s serial ports, make sure the data rate of
the terminal or emulator is set to match that of the Switch port. (If you’re not sure
how to do this for your emulator, refer to its manual or online help for
instructions. If you’re not sure whether the serial port on the Switch is set to
operate at 9600 bps or 57,600 bps, try 9600 bps first. That is the factory-default rate,
and should be the rate that all of the serial ports on new Matrix ServSwitches start
out using.) Then turn on or cycle power to the Switch. This message should appear
on your screen:
Hit the spacebar within 5 seconds to get serial options menu.
If garbage characters appear instead, your terminal or emulator is set to the wrong
data rate; switch to the other one and cycle power to the Switch again. When the
message appears as it should, press the spacebar. The serial options menu will
appear after the Switch finishes displaying its power-up diagnostic messages. This
menu enables you to manipulate certain configuration settings and (if you’re using
a computer rather than a terminal) to perform flash upgrades. The subsections on
the following pages detail the serial menu options:
1. Change starting cpu number..........1
2. Change the serial port baud rate....[current rate, either
"9600" or "57,600"]
3. Receive new main program or kernel from serial port (this
card only)
4. Send this unit’s main program to other units
5. Send this unit’s Kernel to other units
6. Reset Configuration data to factory defaults (this card
only)
7. Save changes made in 1 and 2 (this card only)
8. Exit (restart the unit)
Enter choice →
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