Xylogics Terminal Servers - The Definitive Guide

The definitive guide to Xylogics Annex terminal servers. These asynchronous terminal servers are typically used to connect to console ports, modems, terminals, and printers. This guide will provide all the information you need in order to use, manage, and maintain these terminal servers.

Topics Covered In This Article:

• Where can I buy parts or supplies for the Xylogics Annex Terminal server family of products?
• What is the difference between the models and part numbers?
• What is the Console Cable pin out configuration?
• How do I get to the monitor:: prompt?
• How do I reset the admin (superuser) password and the port settings?
• How do I load a fresh version of the boot image?
• How do I assign an IP address to the network interface?
• How do I set the default route?
• What manuals and documentation are available?

Where can I buy parts or supplies for the Xylogics Annex Terminal server family of products?

Please call Nivindel, LLC. We stock a large variety of parts and accessories for the Xylogics Annex Terminal server product family. Our phone number is 406-844-2550.

What is the difference between the models and part numbers?

Xylogics was purchased by Bay Networks in December 1995. Bay Networks was later purchased by Nortel in June 1998. As the different companies took over the terminal server line, the part numbers changed. But, as far as we can tell, the internals of the units did not change.

* The Xylogics Part Number ends with a -1xx. This could be 100 or 101. As far as we have been able to discern, this number only describes the case color - 100 is a beige plastic case while 101 is a brown plastic case. Note: Self boot models can also be placed in ‘Net boot’ mode.

Various add-ons, cables, and accessories are also available for the Annex terminal servers line.

What is the Console Cable pin out configuration?

Xylogics terminal servers use a RJ-45 female jack (looks like an ethernet port) for the console port. All units use the same pin-out configuration. When constructing a console cable, don’t bother messing with cross-over ethernet cables or null-modem adapters, as they will not help you. If you have spare parts around, what you need are (1) a straight through RJ-45 male to RJ-45 male cable, (2) Mod Tap Female RJ-45 to DB-25 Male adapter part number 102-918-001 Rev. A R 9635, and (3) DB-9 female to DB-25 male adapter to join to your computer’s serial port.

A DTE Crossover Terminal Cable should be configured as follows:

How do I get to the monitor:: prompt?

To get to the monitor:: prompt, you will need a terminal program set at 9600 bps, 8N1, using software flow control. You will also need a properly pined-out console cable. To get to the monitor:: prompt, attach the console cable to Port 1 of a MicroAnnex XL, ELS, or 2000 unit. Annex 3 and 4000 units have a dedicated console port which should be labeled on the back of the unit. Turn on the terminal server, and immediately press and release the “Test” button on the front panel of the terminal server. The Test LED should light up. After a little while, press enter on your keyboard a few times… The unit should respond with “monitor::”. If you do not get a response most likely your console cable is not correctly pined-out.

How do I reset the admin (superuser) password and the port settings?

First, get to the monitor:: prompt (see above). At this prompt, type “erase” and press enter. Next, choose to erase the EEPROM (i. e. Configuration information) of the terminal server. Do not erase the FLASH (i. e. Self Boot image) (self-booting units only) unless you want to load a new boot image onto the unit (see below). Along with erasing the password and port settings, the network configuration will also be erased. You will want to reconfigure those settings using the “addr” command at the monitor:: prompt.

How do I load a fresh version of the boot image?

Each model Annex terminal server comes in two varieties; a self-boot version and a network-boot version. Network booting versions lack the FLASH memory of self-boot units, and must load their operating system over a network connection from a load host each time the unit is powered on or rebooted. Annex units support a number of protocols for loading the boot image including TFTP, ERPC, and BOOTP. ERPC requires the erpcd software from the hardware manufacturer. ERPCD also allows for user authentication when using dialup modems and SLIP/PPP protocols. Network Booting Units. Set your load host via the monitor:: prompt by typing “addr”. Self Booting Units. Get to the monitor:: prompt by pressing the test button upon unit bootup, ‘erase’ the FLASH (i. e. Self Boot image) (if any), use the ‘addr’ command to assign an IP address and load host, type ‘boot -l’ to load the OS image from the boot host to the Annex unit FLASH memory. Of course, your load host must be offering the software for download through TFTP, ERPC, or BOOTP. After the OS loads, get back to the monitor:: prompt and type “sequence” and set the boot sequence to self.

How do I assign an IP address to the network interface?

Use the “addr” command at the monitor:: prompt.

How do I set the default route?

Method #1 (Not Tested): When using the “addr” command from the monitor:: prompt, set the load host so that it is not on the same subnet — the annex will then ask you for a default route. Method #2 (Tested on Self-Boot Annex XL): After booting to the operating system, go into super-user mode by using the “su” command. Next, at the annex# prompt type “edit config.annex” then enter: %gateway net default gateway 192.168.1.1 metric 1 hardwired end Substitute your own default gateway instead of 192.168.1.1. Use control-W to write the file. Next, reboot the annex.

What manuals and documentation are available?

Here are the only manuals we have been able to locate in PDF format. The OS versions throughout all the model lines take the exact same commands, so these manuals are applicable to the Annex ELS, Annex XL, Annex 2000, Annex 3, and Annex 4000 product lines.

• Xylogics Administrators Guide to Unix A
• Xylogics Administrators Guide to Unix B
• Xylogics Administrators Guide to Unix C
• Xylogics Quick Start Guide to Unix
• Xylogics Quick Start Guide to Windows
• Xylogics Server Tools Windows NT