UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

I'm a verteran to Windows but i newbie to UNIX so i hope this isn't too dumb of a question. I have an HP 9000 D Class Server that has 10.2 and uses a console. The console died and i was told i can put a standard EISA video card in it and use a regualr monitor and keyboard. My question is how do i get it to work? Is there a special video card i need. I put the card in it and plugged the keyboard up but nothing works. The server boots up but nothing else. Help!!!!

I haven't physically looked at a D class in a while, so if my suggestion doesn't work and no one else answers you, I will have a look at work tomorrow and reply.

Get yourself a Null modem cable. Plug one end into the D class where the console is/was plugged in. Plug the other end into a laptop or PC. You can then use a program like Reflections on the PC/laptop and it can act as your temporary console. You may need a funky connector on the D class side, I can't recall if it has a standard serial port or not. I know it is possible though as we have a few D classes at work plugged into our Digi so they must has some sort of serial connection.

I currently use Reflection to get into the server remotely now but i want to be able to get to the server at the server most of the time. Since my console is down i'm trying not to have to buy a new one.

thanks,

Lonnie

Hi Lonnie,
It is good that you already have Reflections. I think you misunderstood what I was trying to convey to you.
On the back of the D class, there is a 9 pin connection labeled "Serial 1/Console" (I just looked). Since you dumb terminal style console is dead and you don't want to buy a new one, you can use a PC or Laptop as the console instead. Plug one end of a null modem cable into "Serial 1/Console" and the other end into a serial port on the PC or laptop. Then when you create your connection in Reflection, use COM1 instead of the network. This will give you access to the console directly, not a remote connection.
You may have another piece of hardware you can use instead. We use a Digi Portserver which allows us to connect all the serial outputs of our Unix boxes into a switch that we can access via the network.
Either way, the console is always available even if the box isn't on the network because you are connecting to the console serial port.
I hope this makes sense. There really is no other way out of it. You either need to purchase a new console or connect some other piece of hardware to the console serial port to do what you are asking.
Thanks,
Tony

i was just hoping to use just a standard video card and keyboard because there are ps ports and plenty of EISA slots. Thanks for your help.

thanks,

Lonnie

Sorry, I actually meant to answer that portion of your question ealier. I have never heard of anyone placing a PC EISA card into an HPUX box to get a head on it. It may be possible, I don't know. They do make cards specifically for the D class, but I don't know where you could find one of those anymore. If you have any sort of maintenance agreement on the box, you may want to try calling HP support to find out. They will usually want a system handle to open a call and also usually want you to already be in their system as a contact for the company you work at. However, if you get the serial number off the box, they can find out if it has an associated contract and will usually help you if it does.