3Com CS/2500 - Manual

A BOUT T HIS G UIDE Introduction This guide provides information on installing, configuring, troubleshooting, maintaining, and servicing the 3Com® CS/2500 series of communications servers. The CS/2500 series consists of Models CS/2500 and CS/2600. These models are identical except that Model CS/2600...

2 A B OUT T HIS G UIDE Warning Warnings alert you to the risk of severe personal injury. Table 1 Notice Icons Icon Type Description Table 2 Text Conventions Convention Description “Enter” vs. “Type” When the word “enter” is used in this guide, it means type something, then press the Return or Enter ...

Conventions 3 Keys When specific keys are referred to in the text, they are called out by their labels, such as “the Return key” or “the Escape key,” or they may be shown as [Return] or [Esc]. If two or more keys are to be pressed simultaneously, the keys are linked with a plus sign (+), for example...

1 O VERVIEW CS/2500 series communications servers connect serial devices over a local area network (LAN). These products support most asynchronous terminals, hosts, printers, personal computers, modems, word processors, and other devices. All CS/2500 series models can be used as terminal servers or ...

1-2 C HA PTER 1: O V ER VIEW ■ 2 MB of memory ■ Ethernet attachment unit interface (AUI) ■ Support for parallel printers with Centronics™ interfaces Model CS/2500 has no diskette drive. This configuration is advantageous in environments where disk contamination is possible or where users are not all...

Chassis 1-3 When a CS/2500 or CS/2600 is running in CS/2000 or CS/2100 mode, it can use only the software listed in Table 1-2, or other software with the prefix SW/2000 or SW/200. Chassis Figure 1-2 shows the CS/2500 series enclosure, including hardware features common to both models. For a more det...

1-4 C HA PTER 1: O V ER VIEW Figure 1-2 CS/2500 Series Enclosure Hardware Interrupt Switch The hardware interrupt switch is located on the server’s left side panel close to the rear, as shown in Figure 1-2. The switch is recessed behind a small round hole to protect it from being pressed unintention...

Front Panel 1-5 WARNING: Use only a nonconductive object such as a plastic stylus to press the hardware interrupt switch. Do not use the tip of a pencil. Graphite particles can cause electrical shock to the operator and can damage components on the server’s circuit boards. Cover The inverted U-shape...

1-6 C HA PTER 1: O V ER VIEW Figure 1-4 CS/2600 Front Panel LEDs The six front-panel LED indicators display operational and diagnostic activity at power-on and while communications server software is running. Table 1-3 lists these front-panel LED indicators and their functions. 3.5" diskette dri...

Back Panel 1-7 Reset Switch The reset switch is located at the lower left corner of the front panel (see Figure 1-3 and Figure 1-4). It is recessed to protect it from being pressed unintentionally. Pressing the reset switch interrupts normal operation, reinitializes the server, begins the startup se...

1-8 C HA PTER 1: O V ER VIEW The following sections describe these connectors. Pin assignments are listed in Appendix A, “Pin Assignments. “ Serial I/O Connectors The back panel provides ten serial I/O ports, labeled J0C through J9C, using horizontally mounted 25-pin D-series subminiature female con...

Back Panel 1-9 ■ Perform memory dumps Console functions are useful for maintenance and repair (for instance, after a server crash) and for OEMs developing software for CS/2500 series servers. Console port parity is set to none, and the number of data bits is set to 8. Neither setting can be altered....

1-10 C HA PTER 1: O V ER VIEW The cable between the server and the printer should not be more than 12 feet long, so you must locate your printer physically close to the server. The printer connector is a female DB-25 equipped with jack posts. Although it resembles an RS-232 serial port connector phy...

Optional Rack Mount Kit 1-11 Figure 1-6 Power Supply Module Optional Rack Mount Kit An optional rack mount kit is available for CS/2500 series servers (3Com part number 3C759). This kit allows you to mount the server in a two- or four-pole 19-inch rack. For information on how to install the server i...

2 I NSTALLATION This chapter describes how to install your CS/2500 series server, including cabling the server to other devices on your network. CAUTION: To eliminate cable noise emission in excess of FCC Part 15 Subpart J, VDE 0871, or CISPR22 (EN55022) for Class A devices, all cables should be tri...

2-2 C HA PTER 2: I N STA LLA TIO N Mounting the Server You can mount a CS/2500 series server on a tabletop, in a two- or four-pole 19-inch rack, or vertically in a wall mount. Mounting on a Table To mount your server on a tabletop, use the following procedure: 1 Place the server on a firm, flat surf...

Mounting the Server 2-3 2 Slip two spring-clip captive nuts over the holes of each rack pole where you want to install the server (see Figure 2-1). Make sure that the nut goes behind the pole. 3 Attach the server to the rack. One person should hold the server between the poles of the rack, while the...

2-4 C HA PTER 2: I N STA LLA TIO N Mounting on the Wall You can mount the server vertically on a wall using a wall mount kit (3Com part number 3C760). When mounting the server vertically, place the server in the vertical stand with the rear panel pointing to one side. Be sure that the side with the ...

Cabling the Server to the Network 2-5 ■ All ports are set to terminal ( SETDefault -TERM DeVice = Terminal ). ■ BAud is set to AutoBaud ( SETDefault -TERM BAud = AutoBaud ). ■ PARIty is set to None ( SETDefault -TERM PARIty = None ). If your network hardware does not match these defaults, you must r...

Cabling the Server to the Network 2-7 Figure 2-2 Console Port Cable Attachment Attaching a Transceiver Cable To connect the server to an Ethernet LAN, you can use either your own transceiver cable or a 3Com cable. The transceiver and transceiver cable must conform to IEEE 802.3 AUI mechanical and el...

2-8 C HA PTER 2: I N STA LLA TIO N Figure 2-3 Printer Port Cabling For pin assignments of the printer port, refer to Appendix A, “Pin Assignments.” Attaching the Power Cable A power cable is supplied with your CS/2500 series server. If the power cable does not match your requirements, contact your n...

3 S TARTUP Once you have installed the server hardware as described in Chapter 2, “Installation,” you are ready to start your server. You can start from software stored on a 3Com Remote Boot and Configuration Services (RBCS) server, from a generic TFTP/FTP server, or from a diskette inserted in the ...

Booting from Diskette 3-3 on the server again. If the problem persists, refer to “Startup Problems” on page 6-1. The Self Test LED remains on during self-test diagnostics, about 40 seconds. The server then enters the boot phase. The Boot State LED remains on during boot, and the Packet Received LED ...

Booting from Diskette 3-5 6 Wait about five seconds, then press the Return key on the console keyboard. The monitor greeting appears, followed by the monitor prompt (>): 3Com Corporation CS/2000 Series Monitor > 7 Enter the soft reset command: k 8 To copy a diskette, enter the copy command: co...

3-6 C HA PTER 3: S TAR TUP 12 Insert the master (source) diskette (the diskette you want to copy from) and press the Return key. The server copies files from the master diskette. The following message appears: reading...OK insert copy and hit return to continue 13 Remove the master diskette. 14 Inse...

3-8 C HA PTER 3: S TAR TUP Normal Startup Messages If a terminal is attached to the console port, startup messages appear on it during the boot process. These messages vary, depending on your boot source. For example, if the firmware’s Initial Boot Source parameter is set to Local Floppy or Floppy t...

4 C ONFIGURATION To configure CS/2500 and CS/2600 firmware settings, use the Firmware Configuration Utility. Firmware is preset at the factory for basic installations; in most cases you do not need to reconfigure it. This chapter describes how to make changes if necessary. For information on configu...

4-2 C HA PTER 4: C O NFIGU RATION 2 Configure the terminal to 9600 bps, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, and no parity. These instructions assume the default firmware configuration. If you have used firmware configuration commands to change the baud rate or to select a different console port, modify the ins...

Changing the Configuration 4-3 Changing the Configuration To change the communications server configuration, follow this procedure: 1 Enter the firmware configuration command fc at the monitor prompt. The following menu is displayed: 2 Type D to display current parameter settings. The following disp...

4-4 C HA PTER 4: C O NFIGU RATION 4 To change the current parameters, type C . The Change Parameters menu appears: 5 Type the number or letter for the parameter you want to change. Table 4-1 describes each parameter and the choices available. More detailed descriptions of each parameter follow this ...

4-6 C HA PTER 4: C O NFIGU RATION Console Baud Rate Sets the baud rate for the console port. The default value is 9600. You can set the rate to 110, 300, 1200, 2400, or 9600 bps. Console port parity is set to none, and number of data bits is set to 8. You cannot change these values. Console Port Spe...

Changing the Configuration 4-7 Because the default setting is for the Monitor parameter to be disabled, you should set it to “Enabled” before resetting the server if you want the monitor to be readily available. In addition, if you set the monitor as your initial boot source, you must make sure the ...

4-8 C HA PTER 4: C O NFIGU RATION Network Boot String Specifies the filename of the image to be downloaded from an RBCS or TFTP/FTP server and executed. This string can be up to 128 characters long. The default is “_cs200 “ (without the quotation marks). If your boot protocol is System Load Protocol...

4-12 C HA PTER 4: C O NFIGU RATION Printer Setup Menu The Printer Setup menu provides options for configuring your printer connection. You can automatically issue a line feed after a carriage return (option 1) or not (option 2). You can also add a printer setup string (option 3) or delete the string...

Changing Port Configuration 4-13 To configure the server to emulate a CS/2000 or CS/2100, do the following: 1 From the Change Parameters menu in the Firmware Configuration Utility, type S . The System Default Configuration Menu appears. The other parameters in this menu are for configuring ports. Fo...

Changing Port Configuration 4-15 presence of an active pin 25 and automatically switches to RS-422 operation. This option affects all ports. This setting acts as a toggle. To disable it, type 4 again. Automatic RS-422 selection requires a different configuration for the RS-422 connector, in which pi...

5 M AINTENANCE AND U PGRADES This chapter describes how to perform maintenance procedures for your communications server. Any user can perform these procedures: ■ Cleaning the diskette drive (Model CS/2600 only) ■ Replacing the fuse Only qualified service personnel should perform these procedures: ■...

Maintenance 5-3 2 Pry the cartridge loose. It should pop out easily. 3 Slide the fuseholder cartridge completely out of the enclosure. Figure 5-1 Removing the Fuseholder Cartridge 4 Remove the fuse clip insert from the fuseholder cartridge. The fuse clips, conductors, and fuses are mounted on this c...

5-4 C HA PTER 5: M A IN TEN ANC E A ND U PG RA DES 8 Reinstall the fuseholder cartridge in the receptacle. Figure 5-2 Opening the Fuseholder Cartridge Autorangingpower module Pull upplasticretainer Fuse Fuse clipinsert Fuseholdercartridge Flip CS2500BookFile : MaintenanceUpgrades Page 4 Thursday, De...

Upgrades 5-5 Upgrades Upgrade procedures require you to remove the server cover. CAUTION: Procedures that involve removing the server cover must be performed by service personnel only. “Service personnel” means people who have appropriate technical training and experience. Service personnel are awar...

5-6 C HA PTER 5: M A IN TEN ANC E A ND U PG RA DES Removing the Cover Follow these steps to remove the server cover: 1 Shut down the server, as described in “Shutting Down” on page 3-8. WARNING: Before removing the cover, be sure the unit is turned off and the power cord is either disengaged from th...

Upgrades 5-7 4 Grasp both sides of the cover and carefully lift it off. Figure 5-4 shows a view of the server interior and its components. Figure 5-5 shows the motherboard and the locations of the memory chips and EPROMs that can be replaced. Figure 5-4 Server Components Rear Front Daughtercardassem...

5-8 C HA PTER 5: M A IN TEN ANC E A ND U PG RA DES Figure 5-5 Memory Chip and EPROM Locations on Motherboard Replacing the Diskette Drive This section explains how to replace the diskette drive (Model CS/2600 only). You need a #1 and a #2 Phillips screwdriver. A pair of needlenose pliers is also hel...

Upgrades 5-9 b Disconnect the cable attached to the rear of the daughtercard. Pull it toward you to expose the mounting screw that fastens the diskette drive bracket to the bottom of the chassis (step 2 in Figure 5-6). c Remove the mounting screw (step 3 in Figure 5-6). d Slide the bracket toward th...

Upgrades 5-11 WARNING: To avoid possible electrical shock, the server’s power cord must be disconnected from the power source before accessing its internal components. You need a #1 and a #2 Phillips screwdriver. A pair of needlenose pliers is also helpful for removing and replacing screws. Follow t...

5-12 C HA PTER 5: M A IN TEN ANC E A ND U PG RA DES Figure 5-7 Removing the Power Supply 4 Install the new power supply module. a For Model CS/2600 only, reconnect the power wiring harness to the connector on the rear of the diskette drive. b For both models, slip the keyhole slots on the bottom of ...

6 T ROUBLESHOOTING If your communications server does not start up as described in Chapter 3, “Startup,” or fails during operation, review the following troubleshooting hints. If you cannot solve the problem, contact 3Com or your network supplier. Refer to Appendix D, “Technical Support,” for techni...

Operating Problems 6-3 2 If you are booting from a network, make sure that your network is operational and that the communications server is configured to use the network boot source. 3 When you are prompted to enter the monitor, enter N to retry the boot sequence. 4 If the problem happens again, en...

Memory Dump Procedures 6-5 1 Reset the server by pressing the reset switch on the front panel. 2 If resetting the server does not resolve the problem, check the cable, transceiver, and any other devices associated with connecting the Ethernet interface to the network. Replace any faulty component. 3...

6-6 C HA PTER 6: T R OU BLESHOO TIN G Dumping Memory to a TFTP Host To write a memory dump to a TFTP host, you must set the boot protocol to TFTP, and the TFTP Upload Path parameter in the firmware configuration must indicate where the dump should be written onto the host. Refer to your TFTP server ...

6-8 C HA PTER 6: T R OU BLESHOO TIN G VERSion . This command provides both the software version string and the firmware version number. If the software fails to boot, the firmware version number appears in the power-up message when a console is attached and Monitor is enabled. Press the front panel ...

A P IN A SSIGNMENTS This appendix lists pin assignments for port interfaces on CS/2500 and CS/2600 series communications servers. The CS/2500 and CS/2600 include three types of port interfaces: ■ Ten serial RS-232-D or RS-422 connectors ■ One 802.3 Ethernet (transceiver) connector ■ One parallel pri...

Parallel Printer Port A-5 * Attached to power return.† Current should not exceed 500 mA. Parallel Printer Port CS/2500 and CS/2600 servers include a printer port (labeled “Parallel Printer”) for connecting the server to Centronics-type parallel printers. Figure A-5 shows pin numbers for this port. T...

B S TARTUP M ESSAGES At power-on or reset, the server performs self-tests and diagnostics. When a console is attached and monitor mode is enabled, it sends status and error messages generated by these tests to the console, if possible. This appendix lists these messages in alphabetical order. The se...

C M ONITOR U TILITY This appendix describes how to access and use the monitor utility, which consists of commands and parameters that reside in the motherboard’s firmware. Monitor mode suspends normal operation and allows interaction only with the monitor command interface. Using this utility, you c...

Entering the Monitor C-3 If an error occurs while the server is running its software, the server automatically accesses the monitor. At this point, 3Com or your network supplier may ask you to perform a memory dump. For information on memory dumps, refer to “Memory Dump Procedures” on page 6-5. Usin...

C-4 A PPEND IX C: M ON ITO R U TILITY Using Commands While in monitor mode you can boot or reset the server and perform diagnostic tasks and other functions by entering commands. You must be in monitor mode to use these commands. When you are finished, reset the server by pressing the reset switch o...

C-6 A PPEND IX C: M ON ITO R U TILITY FO Syntax FO Description Formats a diskette (Model CS/2600 only). For a description of the procedure, refer to “Formatting Diskettes without the Copy Command” on page 3-6. H or ? Syntax H ? Description Displays a list of all available commands and their syntax. ...

D-2 A PPEND IX D: T ECH NICA L S U PPOR T Access by ISDN ISDN users can dial-in to 3ComBBS using a digital modem for fast access up to 56 Kbps. To access 3ComBBS using ISDN, dial the following number: (408) 654-2703 World Wide Web Site Access the latest networking information on 3Com’s World Wide We...

Support from Your Network Supplier D-3 3ComFacts Automated Fax Service 3Com Corporation’s interactive fax service, 3ComFacts, provides data sheets, technical articles, diagrams, and troubleshooting instructions on 3Com products 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call 3ComFacts using your touch-tone ...

Support from 3Com D-5 Support from 3Com If you are unable to receive support from your network supplier, technical support contracts are available from 3Com. In the U.S. and Canada, call (800) 876-3266 for customer service. If you are outside the U.S. and Canada, contact your local 3Com sales office...

D-6 A PPEND IX D: T ECH NICA L S U PPOR T 10/25/95 Europe 31 30 60 29900, option 5 (44) (1442) 275822 Outside Europe, U.S., and Canada (1) (408) 492 1790 (1) (408) 764 7290 Country Telephone Number Fax Number CS2500BookFile : TechSupp.med Page 6 Thursday, December 11, 1997 10:44 AM

I NDEX Symbols ! command C-6? command C-6 Numerics 3Com Bulletin Board Service (3ComBBS) D-13Com sales offices D-43ComFacts D-3 A Address Discovery Protocol description 4-10parameters 4-10 address, Ethernet 3-7, 4-3automatic RS-422 port selection 4-14Auto-Reboot parameter 4-6 B back panel 1-6baud ra...