HP HP-UX 11i Security Solutions

Migrating from A6748A/A6749 Serial PCI MUX to
AD278A/AD279A Serial PCI MUX: Peripheral Cabling
Issues and Solutions

Executive Summary.........................................................................................................................3

Intended Audience..........................................................................................................................3

Introduction................................................................................................................................... 3

A6748A/A6749 Serial MUX Solution Hardware Components...........................................................3

AD278A/AD279A Serial PCI MUX Solution Hardware Components...................................................4

Pin-Layout and Port Interface Differences between A6748A/A6749A and AD278A/AD279A PCI MUX Serial

Ports......................................................................................................................................... 5

Cabling Cases and Solutions............................................................................................................5

Pin Connection Diagrams............................................................................................................... 10

Summary.....................................................................................................................................12

Glossary..................................................................................................................................... 12

Related Information.......................................................................................................................12

Legal Notices

© Copyright 2007 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.

The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. The only warranties for HP
products and services are set forth in the express warranty statements accompanying such products
and services. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an additional warranty. HP shall not
be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein.

Executive Summary

Customers migrating from the A6748A/A6749A PCI Multiplexer (MUX) adapter solution to the
AD278A/AD279A PCI MUX solution may encounter device communication failure. This is because of
the RS-232 pin-layout and port interface incompatibility between these two solutions. This white paper
discusses these instances of incompatibility, and describes how to customize the peripheral device
cables to achieve successful migration. This white paper addresses the following topics:

• Hardware information about A6748A/A6749A and AD278A/AD279A serial PCI MUX
solutions

• RS-232 pin-layout of A6748A/A6749A and AD278A/AD279A serial PCI MUX solution

• Instances of incompatibility

• Instructions for customizing peripheral device cables to resolve instances of incompatibility

Intended Audience

This white paper is intended for HP support personnel, HP customers, and converter cable
manufacturers.

Introduction

Customers who are migrating from the A6748A/A6749A PCI MUX adapter solution to the
AD278A/AD279A PCI MUX solution may encounter device communication failure. This is because of
the RS-232 pin-layout and port interface incompatibility between these two solutions. This white paper
identifies the different scenarios in which customers can face issues of incompatibility. It also describes
solutions to achieve successful migration.

A6748A/A6749 Serial MUX Solution Hardware Components

This section discusses the hardware components of the A6748A and A6749A serial PCI MUX
solutions.

Table 1 lists the hardware components of the PCI MUX 8-port adapter A6748A solution.

Table 1: PCI MUX 8-Port Adapter A6748A Solution
Part Number Component Name

A6748-60001 HP PCI MUX 8-port serial adapter
J2482-60014 4 feet (1.21920 meters) Octopus cable

The A6748A Octopus cable provides eight RJ45 RS-232 serial ports.

Note:

The A6748A Octopus cable does not provide 8-port DB 25 connectors.

Table 2 lists the hardware components of the PCI MUX 64-port adapter A6749A solution.

Table 2: PCI MUX 64-Port Adapter A6749A Solution

Part Number Component Name

A6749A-60101 HP PCI MUX 64-port serial adapter

J2483-60013
J2483-60010
J2484-60010
J2485-60010

The A6749A solution can support up to four 16-port RS-232 port modules. The port modules provide
either DB25 Female RS-232 serial ports or RJ45 RS-232 serial ports.

4 feet (1.2 meter) host cable
External power supply
HP 16-port RS-232 RJ45 port module
HP 16-port RS-232 DB25 port module

AD278A/AD279A Serial PCI MUX Solution Hardware Components

This section discusses the hardware components of the AD278A and AD279A serial PCI MUX
solutions.
Table 3 lists the hardware components of the AD278A serial PCI MUX solution.

Table 3: PCI MUX 8-Port Adapter AD278A Solution
Part Number Component Name

AD278-60001 HP PCI MUX 8-port serial

adapter

AD278-2000A 4 feet (1.21920 meter)

Octopus Cable and DB25
Loop back

AD278-2001A DB25-RJ45 Conversion Kit

The Octopus cable provides eight Male DB25 RS-232 serial ports.

Note:

DB25-RJ 45 Conversion Kit converts the DB25 ports to AD278A/9A solution
RJ45 ports.

Table 4 lists the hardware components of the PCI MUX 64-port adapter AD279A solution.

Table 4: PCI MUX 64-Port Adapter AD279A Solution
Part Number Component Name

AD279-60001 HP PCI MUX 64-port serial adapter
AD279-2000A 5 feet (1.52400 meter) External

Bus Interface (EBI) cable
AD280-2001A External power supply
AD280-2000A (Kit)

AD281-2000A (Kit)

HP 16-port RS-232 RJ45 port

module – (AD280-67001)

Cable 16P Mux Module 16 EBI –

Exchg – (AD280-67002)

HP 16-port RS-232 DB25 port

module – (AD281-67001)

Cable 16P Mux Module 16 EBI –

Exchg – (AD280-67002)

The AD279A solution can support up to four 16-port RS-232 port modules. The port modules provide
either DB25 Male RS-232 serial ports or RJ45 RS-232 serial ports.

Pin-Layout and Port Interface Differences between A6748A/A6749A
and AD278A/AD279A PCI MUX Serial Ports

Table 5 describes the pin-layout differences between A6748A/A6749A and AD278A/AD279A PCI
MUX serial ports.

Table 5: A6748A/9A and AD278A/9A RJ45 RS232 Pin-Layout Comparison

AD278A / AD279A Serial MUX
Solution

Interface type RJ 45 RS 232 ports RJ 45 RS 232 ports
Pin # 1 RI Ring Indicator RI Ring Indicator
Pin # 2 DSR Data Set

Ready

Pin # 3 RTS Request to

Send

Pin # 4 GND Chassis

Ground

Pin # 5 TXD Transmitted

Data

Pin # 6 RXD Received Data TXD Transmitted

Pin # 7 SG Signal Ground GND Signal Ground
Pin # 8 CTS Clear to Send DCD Data Carrier

Pin # 9 DTR Data Terminal

Ready

Pin # 10 DCD Data Carrier

Detect

A6748A/A6749A Serial MUX
Solution

RTS Request to

Send

DTR Data Terminal

Ready

RXD Received Data

GND Ground

Data

Detect

CTS Clear to Send

DSR Data Set

Ready

The AD278A/AD279A PCI MUX solution provides Male DB25 RS-232 serial ports, whereas the
A6748A/A6749A PCI MUX solution provides Female DB25 RS-232 serial ports. The DB25 pin-outs
for the AD278A/AD279A PCI MUX solution and A6748A/A6749A PCI MUX solution are the same.

Cabling Cases and Solutions

This section discusses instances of incompatibility between A6748A/A6749A and
AD278A/AD279A PCI MUX solutions. It also discusses solutions to resolve these incompatibilities.
Table 6 lists scenarios of incompatibility that prevent successful migration from A6748A 8-port RJ45
solution to the AD278A/AD279A PCI MUX solution. It also describes methods to resolve issues of
incompatibility.

Table 6: Migrating from the A6748A 8-port RJ45 Solution to the AD278A/AD279A
PCI MUX Solution
Sl.

Scenario Description Solution 1 Solution 2

No.
1 Replacing

an existing
A6748A 8­port solution
with an
AD278A 8­port
solution.

The A6748A 8-port solution
supports RJ45 RS-232 serial
ports.
The custom made cables for
this solution include RJ45
plugs, to connect to the
RJ45 RS-232 serial ports.
However, the AD278A 8­port solution supports only
Male DB25 RS-232 serial
ports.
As a result, the existing
cables cannot be connected
to the AD278A 8-port DB25
RS-232 serial ports.

To connect a
custom made
cable, use a
converter that
supports DB25
Female port at
the AD278A
solution end, and
a 10-pin RJ45
jack at the other
end.

While designing
the converter,
ensure that you

Replace the RJ45 plug
of the custom made
cable with a DB25
Female connector.

To replace the RJ45
plugs with a DB25
Female connector,
detach wires from the
RJ45 plug in sequential
order, as described in
Table 9, and connect
the wires to a DB25
Female connector.

follow the
specifications
listed in Table 9.

2 Replacing

an existing
A6748A 8­port solution
with an
AD279A
64-port
solution
(DB25 port
module).

3 Replacing

an existing
A6748A 8­port solution
with an
AD279A
64-port
solution
(RJ45 port
module).

The A6748A 8-port solution
supports RJ45 RS-232 serial
ports.
The custom made cables for
this solution include RJ45
plugs, to connect to the
RJ45 RS-232 serial ports.
However, the AD279A 64­port solution’s port module
supports only Male DB25
RS-232 serial ports.
As a result, the existing
cables cannot be connected
to the AD279A 64-port
DB25 RS-232 serial ports.

The A6748A 8-port solution
supports RJ45 RS-232 serial
ports.
The custom made cables for
this solution include RJ45
plugs, to connect to the
RJ45 RS-232 serial ports.
The AD279A 64 port
solution’s port module also
supports RJ45 RS-232 serial
ports. However, the pin-outs

To connect a
custom made
cable, use a
converter that
supports DB25
Female port at
the AD279A
solution end, and
a 10-pin RJ45
jack at the other
end.

While designing
the converter,
ensure that you
follow the
specifications
listed in Table 9.

To connect the
custom made
cable, use a
converter that
supports 10-pin
RJ45 plug at the
AD279A solution
end, and a 10­pin RJ45 jack at
the other end.

Replace the RJ45 plug
of the custom made
cable with a DB25
Female connector.

To replace the RJ45
plugs with a DB25
Female connector,
detach wires from the
RJ45 plug in sequential
order, as described in
Table 9, and connect
the wires to a DB25
Female connector.

Replace the 10-pin
RJ45 plug (signals
compatible with the
pin-out of the
A6748A MUX
solution)
of the custom made
cable with a 10-pin
RJ45 plug, whose
signals are compatible
with the pin-out of the

Sl.

Scenario Description Solution 1 Solution 2

No.

of the A6748A RJ45 serial
ports and AD279A RJ45
serial ports are different.
As a result, the existing
cables cannot be used with
the AD279A 64-port RS­232 RJ45 serial ports.

While designing
the converter,
ensure that you
follow the
specifications
listed in Table

10.

AD279A PCI MUX
solution.

To replace the 10-pin
RJ45 plugs, detach
wires from the 10-pin
RJ45 plug in sequential
order, as described in
Table 10, and connect
the wires to the new
RJ45 plug.

Table 7 lists scenarios of incompatibility that prevent successful migration from A6749A 64-port RJ45
solution to the AD278A/AD279A PCI MUX solution. It also describes methods to resolve issues of
incompatibility.

Table 7: Migrating from the A6749A 64-Port RJ45 Solution to the AD278A/AD279A
PCI MUX Solution

Sl.

Scenario Description Solution 1 Solution 2

No.
1 Replacing

an existing
A6749A
64- port
solution
(RJ45 port
module)
with an
AD278A 8­port
solution.

The A6749A 64 port
solution’s port module
supports RJ45 RS-232 serial
ports.

The custom made cables for
this solution include RJ45
plugs, to connect to the
RJ45 RS-232 serial ports.
However, the AD278A 8­port solution supports only
Male DB25 RS-232 serial
ports.
As a result, the existing
cables cannot be connected
to the AD278A 8-port DB25
RS-232 serial ports.

To connect to a
custom made
cable, use a
converter that
supports a DB25
Female port at
the AD278A
solution end, and
a 10-pin RJ45
jack at the other
end.

While designing
the converter,
ensure that you
follow the
specifications

Replace the RJ45 plug
of the custom made
cable with a DB25
Female connector.

To replace the RJ45
plugs with a DB25
Female connector,
detach wires from the
RJ45 plug in sequential
order as described in
Table 9, and connect
the wires to a DB25
female connector.

listed in Table 9.

2 Replacing

an existing
A6749A
64-port
solution
(RJ45 port
module)
with an
AD279A
64-port

The A6749A 64-port
solution’s port module
supports RJ45 RS-232 serial
ports.
The custom made cables for
this solution includes RJ45
plugs, to connect to the
RS232 RJ45 serial ports.
However, the AD279A 64­port solution’s port module

To connect to a
custom made
cable, use a
converter that
supports a DB25
Female port at
the AD279A
solution end, and
a 10-pin RJ45
jack at the other

Replace the RJ45 plug
of the custom made
cable with a DB25
Female connector.

To replace RJ45 plugs
with DB25 Female
connector, detach
wires from the RJ45
plug in sequential

Sl.

Scenario Description Solution 1 Solution 2

No.

solution
(DB25 port
module).

supports only Male DB25
RS-232 serial ports.
As a result, the existing
cables cannot be connected
to the AD279A 64 port
DB25 RS-232 serial ports.

end.

While designing
the converter,
ensure that you
follow the
specifications
listed in Table 9.

order as described in
Table 9, and connect
the wires to a DB25
Female connector.

3 Replacing

an existing
A6749A
64- port
solution
(RJ45 port
module)
with an
AD279A
64-port
solution
(RJ45 port
module).

The A6749A 64- port
solution’s port module
supports RJ45 RS-232 serial
ports.
The custom made cables for
this solution include RJ45
plugs to connect to the RJ45
RS-232 serial ports. The
AD279A 64 port solution’s
port module also supports
RJ45 RS-232 serial ports.
However, the pin-outs of the
A6749A RJ45 serial ports
and AD279A RJ45 RS-232
serial ports are different.
As a result, the existing
cables cannot be used with
the AD279A 64-port RJ45
RS-232 serial ports.

To connect the
custom made
cable, use a
converter that
supports a 10-pin
RJ45 plug at the
AD279A solution
end, and a 10­pin RJ45 jack at
the other end.

While designing
the converter,
ensure that you
follow the
specifications
listed in Table

10.

Replace the 10-pin
RJ45 plug (signals
compatible with the
pin-out of the
A6749A PCI MUX
solution)
of the custom made
cable with a 10-pin
RJ45 plug, whose
signals are compatible
with the pin-out of the
AD279A MUX
solution.

To replace the 10-pin
RJ45 plugs, detach
wires from the 10-pin
RJ45 plug in sequential
order, as described in
Table 10, and connect
the wires to the new
RJ45 plug.

Table 8 lists scenarios of incompatibility that prevent successful migration from A6749A 64-port DB25
solution to the AD278A/AD279A PCI MUX solution. It also describes methods to resolve issues of
incompatibility.

Table 8: Migrating from the A6749A 64-Port DB25 Solution to the AD278A/AD279A
PCI MUX Solution
Sl.

Scenario Description Solution 1 Solution 2

No.
1 Replacing

an existing
A6749A
64- port
solution
(DB25 port
module)
with an
AD279A
64- port

The A6749A 64-port
solution’s port module
supports Female DB25 RS­232 serial ports.
The custom made cables
for this solution include
Male DB25 RS-232
connectors, to connect to
the A6749A DB25 RS-232
serial ports. However, the

Use a DB25 Male
to Female gender
changer to connect
the custom made
cables to AD279A
RS-232 DB25
serial ports.

Sl.

Scenario Description Solution 1 Solution 2

No.

solution
(DB25 port
module).

AD279A 64-port solution’s
port module supports only
Male DB25 RS-232 serial
ports.
As a result, the existing
cables cannot be
connected to the AD279A
64 port DB25 RS-232
serial ports.

2 Replacing

an existing
A6749A
64- port
solution
(DB25 port
module)
with an
AD278A 8­port
solution.

3 Replacing

an existing
A6749A
64- port
solution
(DB25 port
module)
with an
AD279A
64-port
solution
(RJ45 port
module).

The A6749A 64 port
solution’s port module
supports Female DB25 RS­232 serial ports.
The custom made cables
for this solution include
Male DB25 RS-232
connectors to connect to
the A6749A Female DB25
RS-232 serial ports.
However, the AD278A 8
port solution supports only
Male DB25 RS-232 serial
ports.
As a result, the existing
cables cannot be
connected to the AD278A
8 port DB25 RS-232 serial
ports.
The A6749A 64 port
solution’s port module
supports DB25 RS-232
serial ports.
The custom made cables
for this solution include
DB25 RS-232 connector to
connect to A6749A DB25
RS-232 serial ports.
However, the AD279A 64
port solution’s port module
supports only RJ45 serial
ports.
As a result, the existing
cables cannot be
connected to the AD279A
64 port solution’s RJ45 RS­232 serial ports.

Use a DB25 Male
to Female gender
changer to connect
the custom made
cables to AD278A
RS-232 DB25
serial ports.

To connect the
custom made
cable, use a
converter that
supports 10-pin RS­232 RJ45 plug at
the AD279A
solution end and a
RS-232 DB25
Female connector
at the other end.

While designing
the converter,
ensure that you
follow the
specifications listed
in Table 11.

Replace the DB25
connector of the
custom made cable
with the RS-232 RJ45
plug.

To replace the DB25
connector with a RJ45
plug, detach wires
from the DB25
connector in
sequential order as
listed in Table 11,
and connect the wires
to the RJ45 plug.

Pin Connection Diagrams

This section provides pin connection diagrams for converting A6748A/A6749A serial ports to
AD278A/AD279A serial ports.

Table 9 provides pin diagrams for converting A6748A/A6749A RS-232 RJ45 Serial Port to
AD278A/AD279A RS-232 DB25 Serial Port.

Table 9: Converting A6748A/A6749A RS-232 RJ45 Serial Port to AD278A/AD279A
RS-232 DB25 Serial Port
RJ45 Pin
Plug
Number
(A6748A/
A6749A
Solution)

Pin # 1 RI Ring Indicator Pin # 22
Pin # 2 RTS Request to

Pin # 3 DTR Data Terminal

Pin # 4 RXD Received Data Pin # 3
Pin # 5 GND Chassis

Pin # 6 TXD Transmitted

Pin # 7 GND Signal Ground Pin # 7
Pin # 8 DCD Data Carrier

Pin # 9 CTS Clear to Send Pin # 5
Pin # 10 DSR Data Set

RJ45
Jack Pin
Number
(A6748A
/A6749A
Solution)

RS 232

Signal

RS 232 Signal
Description

Send

Ready

Ground

Data

Detect

Ready

DB25 Pin
Number
(AD278A/
AD279A
Solution)

Pin # 4

Pin # 20

Pin # 2

Pin # 8

Pin # 6

Table 10 provides pin diagrams for converting A6748A/A6749A RS-232 RJ45 Serial Port to
AD278A/AD279A RS-232 RJ45 Serial Port.

Table 10: Converting A6748A/A6749A RS-232 RJ45 Serial Port to AD278A/AD279A
RS-232 RJ45 Serial Port
RJ45 plug
Pin
Number
(A6748A/
A6749A
Solution)

Pin # 1 RI Ring Indicator Pin # 1
Pin # 2 RTS Request to

Pin # 3 DTR Data Terminal

Pin # 4 RXD Received Data Pin # 6
Pin # 5 GND Chassis

Pin # 6 TXD Transmitted

Pin # 7 GND Signal Ground Pin # 7
Pin # 8 DCD Data Carrier

Pin # 9 CTS Clear to Send Pin # 8
Pin # 10 DSR Data Set

RJ45
Jack Pin
Number
(A6748A
/A6749A
Solution)

RS 232
Signal

RS 232 Signal
Description

Send

Ready

Ground

Data

Detect

Ready

RJ45 Pin
Number
(AD278A/
AD279A
Solution)

Pin # 3

Pin # 9

Pin # 4

Pin # 5

Pin # 10

Pin # 2

Table 11 provides pin diagrams for converting A6748A/A6749A RS-232 DB25 Serial Port to
AD278A/AD279A RS-232 RJ45 Serial Port.

Table 11: Converting A6748A/A6749A RS-232 DB25 Serial Port to
AD278A/AD279A RS-232 RJ45 Serial Port
DB25 Female
Port Pin
Number
(A6748A/
A6749A
Solution)

Pin # 2 TXD Transmitted Data Pin # 5
Pin # 3 RXD Received Data Pin # 6
Pin # 4 RTS Request to Send Pin # 3
Pin # 5 CTS Clear to Send Pin # 8
Pin # 6 DSR Data Set Ready Pin # 2
Pin # 7 SG Signal Ground Pin # 7
Pin # 8 DCD Data Carrier

Pin # 20 DTR Data Terminal

Pin # 22 RI Ring Indicator Pin # 1

Converter ­DB25 Male
Port Pin
Number
(A6748A/
A6749A
Solution)

RS 232 Signal RS 232 Signal

Description

Detect

Ready

RJ45 Pin
Number
(AD278A/
AD279A
Solution)

Pin # 10

Pin # 9

Summary

This paper discusses solutions for different cabling issues that are caused by RS-232 serial port pin­layout and port interface differences between the A6748A/A6749A serial PCI MUX solution and the
AD278A/AD279A serial PCI MUX solution.

Glossary

Port Modules: Port modules are extended equipments that are used with 64-port serial MUX solution
to provide RS-232 serial ports. One port module can be connected to PCI MUX 64-port adapter and
others can be extended from the first port module.

Related Information

For more information about the A6748A/A6749A and AD278A/AD279A serial PCI MUX solutions,
see the Multiplexers Documentation website at:

http://www.docs.hp.com/en/netcom.html#Multiplexers