Help with IBM server before friday 2nd may

[greenfieldsupport]

Hi All

 

I need to borrow a c2t KVM cable for 1 day!

 

I have a server going into co-location in maidenhead on friday, and i need to set it up to do some web hosting / game server hosting / some light VoIP.

 

But,

 

Its a 1u IBM X335, they dont have keyboard video or mouse ports on the back, just a breakout port. so im desperate to borrow a cable, can anyone help!?

 

Tried solutions:

Configure though serial port:

Didnt work, the option is turned off in the bios :|

 

Fit VGA card + use USB keyboard:

Would work beautifully, if some pie hadnt turned off legecy usb keyboard emulation in the bios.

 

:\

 

Am very willing to pick up.

Please let me know,

Thanks

[greenfieldsupport]

Cable looks like this:

 

http://www.serverzone.co.kr/upload/products/1120538506b1.jpg

[greenfieldsupport]

noone have IBM's?

[plexer]

Apparently not, those cables are expensive.

 

Have you asked the colo if they have one?

 

Ben

[greenfieldsupport]

Hmm

 

That is an option, but installing debian on hardware ive never installed it on in the build room at the colo dosent sound like a fun option :\

 

Do you think they make these x335 100% ibm compatible

[Jona]

Could you flash the bios to see if the default is for the USB keyboard support to be turned back on?

[kmount]

I have to ask why you'd buy a server you couldn't set up?

 

Anyway, I've been thinking and it seems to me the best solution would be to bodge it with an installation onto an external hdd performed elsewhere which you know will boot immediately up to a console prompt with eth0 dhcp'd and openssh installed.

 

If this works, clap lots and then do it on the hdd already in the server (obviously take it out, caddy it) and put it back in.

[kmount]

Ok, another idea.

 

If usb keyboard is disabled, maybe a ps2/usb converter would work given technically its not a usb keyboard?

[kmount]

Maybe a PS2 keyboard plugged into this will work?

[greenfieldsupport]

Thanks for your reply's

 

and ordering a server i could not configure? I didnt, The c2t cable has been ordered, payment was by cheque, which would have been fine but the eeejits at their end didnt put it in the bank when they recieved it, for a few days, then they refuesed to send the cable without payment clearing.

 

Thanks for your solutions but problems exsist.

 

Firstly i carnt configure the RAID controller to tell it which drive to boot from, assuming that the server is actually set to boot via scsi controller.

 

I dont have another scsi320 controller of which i can use to configure the drive to boot at start.

 

I need to configure the server with RAID0, which i wont be able to do without booting into the RAID controller's bios.

 

The RAID controller is hardwired into the motherboard, its not just a card so i canrt just take the whole controller out :'( /cry

 

The usb/ps2 thing wont work because its still essentially a USB keyboard, and USB support is disabled in the BIOS.

 

Also I carnt try the serial option as i would have to order another cable, (while im still waiting for the original one :\) ive been told to expect the cable on monday ( a bank holiday, great) im expecting to come on wednesday, Not much more i can do.

 

Ive canceled my time off work, and dropped the install window with the co-location, Re arranging for next week ;\

 

which causes problems with my subscribed webservers. Will have to run with 4-5 days of downtime

[SYNACK]

A serial cable should be really cheap as in like $10NZ - 3.75 pounds and will let you get into the BIOS. If you have some higher end switches at your work there were probably some supplied with them.

 

It looks like it does have a built in managment chip and its backed up by a post that I found that should let you into the BIOS remotly (its even specific to your server):

 

IBM xSeries 335 [Archive] - Web Hosting Talk

Simply connect a null modem serial cable between the server you are trying to control and the system you are using to control it with. You'll probably want a cable with DB9 on both ends. You can always use a rollover cable with a DB9->RJ45 adapter on each end if you're familiar with Cisco.

 

In terms of software, on Windows, there's always Hyperterminal which is built in. On *nix, there's several options including CU or the good ol' fashioned kermit. Most devices are set to use 9600 baud rate, 8 data bits, and no stop bit, but I believe the IBM xSeries 3** servers use a baud rate of 57600 by default.

 

It also has the plans for the cable that you are waiting for incase you want to build one yourself.

 

This site goes deper into the managment unit and its abilities:

xCAT Management Processor HOWTO

 

A little late but hopefully it helps and lets you get started on your install despite the title.

Edited May 2, 2008 by SYNACK

[greenfieldsupport]

Thanks

 

Already tried serial terminal-ing it...

 

It failed badly...

 

 

But it was fun getting out the good old RS-232 cable....

 

I loved that thing, used to use it to play red alert mutli player with my friend..

 

and then total annihilation when it came out

 

carnt beat abit of 57,600 rate

[torledo]

Thanks

 

Already tried serial terminal-ing it...

 

It failed badly...

 

 

But it was fun getting out the good old RS-232 cable....

 

I loved that thing, used to use it to play red alert mutli player with my friend..

 

and then total annihilation when it came out

 

carnt beat abit of 57,600 rate

 

What setting were you using in you're terminal program....

 

i read somewhere the baud rate on these servers is 57600 (i don't know if that's standard or not).

*ignore this comment, synack posted the same info*

 

p.s is being able to get into the bios from a terminal session particular to this server or can you do it with any x85 with a serial/console port and a null modem cable ?

[SYNACK]

is being able to get into the bios from a terminal session particular to this server or can you do it with any x85 with a serial/console port and a null modem cable ?

 

This feature is particular to servers with the built in managment processor as it is the managment processor that handles the terminal session and offers the bios variables out. You can do diagnostic output on any Windows NT (server) or above to the serial port but that is once you start booting the initial bits of Windows.

 

Ref: How to set up a remote debug session using a null modem cable

 

I'm sure that some other systems offer the same kind of setup option but it is not a standard feature on x86 boards.

Edited May 3, 2008 by SYNACK

[kmount]

I can host you temporarily if this will help?