The Official Vnetek Blog

Configuring ASM to run on Linux is quick and easy with Wine from WineHQ

"Wine lets you run Windows software on other operating systems. With Wine, you can install and run these applications just like you would in Windows." Courtesy of WineHQ.

1. Obtain a copy of ASM version 3.2 or later.
   • This version contains fixes that resolve some GUI problems that earlier versions had when running under Wine.
   • If you try versions prior to V3.2 you are likely to run into difficulties.
2. If not already installed, obtain and install Wine.
   • For instructions on how to install Wine please see the Wine Download Page.
   • You can also find plenty of other information on Wine over at WineHQ.
3. Install ASM from the DNAS CD as if you were installing it on Windows.
   • You’ll first need to mount the CD.
     • cd /mnt/cdrom/Dnas/Win95nt
   • Start the ASM installer.
     • wine setup.exe
   • During the install:
     • Click “Next” on the Welcome screen.
     • When prompted to Select Components, de-select “Access Server Loader”. If you need a TFTP Server use your default Linux based TFTP server instead. Click “Next” to proceed.
     • Choose the default install directory and click “Next”.
     • Use the default data and backup directories and click “Next”.
4. Copy the required DLLs into the ASM install directory.
   • Obtain MFC40.DLL and copy to the ASM install directory. Usually this is all that is required. The path to the install directory if installed as root into the default directory might look something like the path. Wine usually uses a hidden path structure like the one below.
   • /root/.wine/drive_c/Program Files/Digital/Access Server Manager/

   Please be aware that when working with directory names that have spaces in them, you’ll need to use quotes around the part with spaces in order for your commands to be recognized properly. For example cd Program Files will not work instead, you’ll need to use cd “Program Files”.

   Depending on which version of Wine or ASM you install, you might find that other DLLs are missing. If you receive error messages when trying to run ASM that particular DLLs are missing, you might want to add these to the list above.

5. Run ASM using Wine
   • Set your default directory to the ASM install directory.
   • Execute Serv.exe under wine using the following command. wine serv.exe

Note: Windows based help will not work properly with current versions of Wine.

The Enterasys 7C111 Matrix N1 chassis with two integrated power supplies and six integrated fans provides only a single slot therefore, it has no backplane bus. Any Enterasys DFE switch (7X or 4X) may be installed into a 7C111 chassis, where it will operate as a standalone "DFE system". However, the installed switch must be running firmware version 5.12.02 or higher to operate properly. Otherwise, the module will not boot, and will display a red CPU LED.

If an upgrade of the firmware on the switch to version 5.12.02 or higher is required, a serial download (Zmodem) must be performed, since the switch will not be fully operational in the 7C111 chassis.

The Zmodem upgrade procedure is explained in the "Downloading via the Serial Port" section of the Matrix DFE Series Configuration Guide.

As an alternative, the switch can be temporarily moved to a multi-slot supported chassis N3, N5, N7, or E7 to perform a TFTP/FTP upgrade to the new firmware.

Questions? Comments? Please leave your questions and comments below.

Help! I can't Telnet to My DECserver

Hopefully the questions from our customers are some of the same questions you need to have answered. Here's a recent inquiry about Telnetting to a DECserver:

"I cannot Telnet to one of my DECserver 732's. (It boots successfully, and we have the rotating figure-8 display on the front.)

"I have an H8585-AA connector and an Ethernet cable."

"What software do I use to communicate through one of the serial ports? Can I use the standard HyperTerminal¹ on my laptop PC? Can I use Hummingbird Host Explorer² and a 3270 Display session³?"

I offered the following solution:

Telnet to your DECserver

Connecting from your laptop to the DECserver with the H8585-AA and an Ethernet cable will work. This is the main solution for setting an IP address and getting the DECserver onto the Internet.

Using the HyperTerminal program and configuring the HyperTerminal to 9600, 8 bits, no parity and no flow control should work. Please be sure that the port you are connecting to on the DECserver is configured as a default “local” port type.

¹ HyperTerminal

HyperTerminal, also known as HyperTerm, is a communications and terminal emulation program that comes with the Windows operating system (pre-Vista). HyperTerminal can be used to set up a connection for data transfer between two computers using the serial ports and for serial-port control of external devices or systems.

² Hummingbird HostExplorer

HostExplorer is a full featured terminal emulation solution for all UNIX, Mainframe and AS/400 display and printing needs.

³ TN3270

TN3270 is a protocol that defines how to transport 3270 data streams over a TCP/IP network. TN3270 was originally defined in RFC 1576 and is based on the Telnet protocol. The difference between a Telnet session and a TN3270 session is that a Telnet session uses the ASCII character set and sends a line of data at a time and a TN3270 session uses the EBCDIC character set and sends a block of data (a screen refresh) at a time.

Help! I lost my DECserver Password

I recently received this inquiry from a customer:

"I have a DECserver 732 (#1) that seems to have lost its IP address. I have tried to Telnet into it, no luck, I have tried to direct connect through every local port, using the adaptor and HyperTerminal, no luck. When I boot 732 (#1), the boot sequence in the display is identical to the twin DECserver 732 (#2) we are now using. I think I am doing it properly, since I can both Telnet to the working twin and connect with HyperTerminal through port 2 to the working twin. Is it time to reset #1 to the factory settings? Will it help to re-boot #1 with #2's PCMCIA card? What do you suggest?"

I offered the following solution.

Recover Your DECserver Password

1. Reset the box to factory default.
2. Connect to port 1 so you can see the boot information from port 1 using HyperTerminal.
3. If the DECserver boots to the "race track" you will not need to use the PCMCIA card from a known good unit.
   • If the DECserver does not boot to the "race track", try using the PCMCIA card from a known good unit.
4. If the reset to factory default clears the issue and you can now communicate with HyperTerminal and reconfigure the DECserver #1.
   • Please be sure to use the "change" and "define" commands.
5. If you are unable to obtain an IP address after this, then I suggest that the unit be serviced.
   • Vnetek provides service for the DECserver.

Legacy Architecture

DECservers have been around since the mid 1980s and were the first product to convert serial data to Ethernet packets. During the last 25 years, DECservers have supported many of the world’s largest serial–to– Ethernet applications, and remain a mainstay within the industry to this day.

The DECserver will always be in demand where applications require MOP¹ and LAT² and within those environments system managers still use TSM³ to make daily production changes and to maintain their DECservers. The DECserver CLI⁴ is also used as a quick and flexible management tool.

Outside of MOP and LAT environments the demand for security protocols such as SSH⁵, and SSL⁶, began in the early 2000’s and is standard today.  Crucial security features such as these far exceed the DECserver’s architectural limits and that has forced DECserver users to migrate to a new generation of product built for optimal security and management of serial-to-IP networks.

A Time for Change

Is there a need for greater security in your serial-to-Ethernet environment? No longer using LAT and MOP? Do you prefer an easy–to–use web–based management for your network equipment? Do you need a more featured serial–over–IP product now? Consider the Raritan Dominion SX Secure Console Servers.

Available in 4 to 48 port models, the Dominion SX provides local and remote access and control via SSH/Telnet and Web browser to manage users, serial servers and other IT devices. Scalable across hundreds of users and thousands of devices, Dominion SX models support single and dual feed AC and DC power, dual Ethernet LAN options and internal modem options.

Migration

All DECserver models from the DECserver 300 to the ConX4 support IP. That means that anyone using any of these models will be able to easily migrate to a Dominion SX. Some things that will need to be considered:

• Pin outs differ
• Adapters will need to change
• Cable length may need to change
• Confirm application support for TCP port range for Telnet or SSH

I’ll be posting future tech tips to cover these and other migration tips in detail.

Summary

The DECserver has been operating in some of the world’s harshest environments for over a decade without failure. This achievement is a testament to the quality of the product and as long as the demand exists, DECservers will be available. But for many, the need for greater security, ease of use and more flexible management have moved IT administrators to seek more featured serial-over-IP products.

¹ MOP – Maintenance Operation Protocol

A maintenance protocol specified in the DIGITAL Network Architecture (DNA) that is used to implement the Remote Console Facility and to perform downline loads, upline dumps, and loopback tests.

² LAT – Local Area Transport

Digital Equipment Corporation name for the Ethernet protocol used by the DECserver for terminal connections

³ TSM – Terminal Server Manager

⁴ CLI – Command Line Interface

⁵ SSH – Secure Shell Host

A network protocol that allows data to be exchanged using a secure channel between two networked devices.

⁶ SSL – Secure Sockets Layer

Protocol for managing the security of a message transmission on the Internet

Questions? Comments? Please leave your questions and comments below.