Setup of 2161DS

1) When I switch on the 2161ds this is all I get on the hyperterminals window: " Verifying subsystem flash versions... DELL 2161DS Console Ready... Press any key to continue... " From there on pressing any key doesnt change anything, so I can't access the Terminal Menu. Answer: Please make sure you click on the RESTORE DEFAULTS when in hyperterminal to make sure you have the proper settings in place. If you see the kvm menu then you are on the right track. also hit enter and see if anything changes. 2) Using the Application utility I am also unable to find the switch. Answer: If you use the RCS software and click New Remote Console switch you should be able to detect the switch and it will shoot back the EID (sort of like a MAC address) of the switch for you. 3) I can access the switch directly by using the keyboard directly connect to it, but there is no network menu to set the IP address. Answer: Their is no network menu in the local OSCAR menu of the Dell 2161DS. The new Dell 2161DS-2 and 4161DS has an option to setup an IP address for your switch in the OSCAR menu. 4) When turning on the 2161DS and leaving it alone then after a while it ill show a little window filled with the words "Free". What does that mean ? Answer: The word "Free" in the flag of the OSCAR menu means that the port is free and their is no servers connected from the local port. Once you click on a server in the OSCAR menu it will display the server name or EID.

Thank you for the advize given above.

The system stays in the same condition. I did try in the meantime to add the system ethernet address with the arp command (arp -s 192.168.xxx.xxx 00:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx)

Then I tried to ping the 2161DS. The green network light flashes once on the 2161DS's NIC but no reply.
Then I tried to telnet into the ports which are given in the Software Users Guide on page 87 (3211, 2068 and 8192) to watch for a software banner coming up - nothing.

At this stage I am getting clueless what else to try. Is there anything left that I can do ?

PS: I am technical engineer. I can try a few things in case you have some advize thats not for the average customer.

Best regards

Message Edited by valentin_nils on 05-22-2007 10:12 AM

Hello,

today I took the 2161DS and connected it to another network. I also downloaded once more the Remote control switch user application. I was able to find the 2161DS and set the IP and netmask. This means I can now ping the 2161DS and , hey, I can even login now ;-)

However I am still not able to:

1) Use the serial port

Best regards

Message Edited by valentin_nils on 05-23-2007 12:35 AM

I did the firmware upgrade to the latest version, run the diagnostic and everything is showing up "good" ... memory, comm ports, etc...

I cant help it but I must be missing something really trivial. The unit came without the cables , so I used a straight serial cable. I even tried 3 different cables (all straight). Is that acceptable or does Dell use other cables f.e. like a null modem cable type etc. ?

That is the only thing which comes into my mind which can be broken (or the serial port is not tested with the diagnostic check).

Best regards

Message Edited by valentin_nils on 05-23-2007 04:07 AM

The cable should just be a plain straight through serial cable that you can buy at any computer store such as best buy or Fry's. What do you get when you are running hypterminal and then restart your 2161DS. You should see it restarting and go through the loading the firmware process?

similar as in the first post,

when I switch on the 2161ds even with the new firmware version this is all I get on the hyperterminals window:

"
Verifying subsystem flash versions...

Waiting for keyboard/mouse subsystem...

DELL 2161DS Console Ready...

Press any key to continue... "

Here is from where it doesnt do anything even I press any button I can think of.

Best regards

Message Edited by valentin_nils on 05-23-2007 08:51 PM

hello

i really need to know how to get to this part of the serial port i dont know how to see what u see on this "

"Verifying subsystem flash versions...
DELL 2161DS Console Ready...

Press any key to continue... "

iv done everything i can think of but cant get the screen to show anything meaning i do not know the com port to even see the start up.

please help

MRE