sundance-communications.com/forum Forums TDM Business Telephone Systems Vodavi Telephones & Systems Learning Curve- 4896 KSU access

I'm an IT pro coming from a Definity environment where I was nice'n'comfy, but just started a job with a company using a Vodavi 4896 phone system. They've lost their vendor so its my problem now. For some reason they gave extension 100 to a busy end-user so I'm trying to access the switch (ksu)programming by using hyperterminal or some other software. V.M. access is no problem.

Can someone get me started in this process? The manual seems clear enough but I'm unclear on required cable type (looks like router/switch console access type), where it plugs in (rs232-c is apparently an rj45) and why I cannot get the adm> prompt despite having set 8,N,1 and having tried many baud rates. :bang:

Thanks beforehand for advice!
-Devi

Here are the pinouts for the cable that you will need to make:

"RJ45" plug pin 6 goes to "DB9" pin 3
"RJ45" plug pin 5 goes to "DB9" pin 2
"RJ45" plug pin 3 goes to "DB9" pin 7
"RJ45" plug pin 7 goes to "DB9" pin 8
"RJ45" plug pin 4 goes to "DB9" pin 5

The default baud rate for this port is 2400. It can be changed from 300 to 9600 through programming, so you will need to try them all. Also, it's possible that the programming port was changed from the CPU's connector to one of the external serial ports, but that's not likely. 8,N,1 is correct.

The system also has a modem that's ext. 499 (199 on very old versions). You can always dial into that if all else fails.

Other than this information, there really isn't much more to it.

Wow,. I was really hoping I would not have to make a cable,..

They may be under a pile of unpaid Invoices. :confused:

A Definity and a Vodavi are worlds apart. You may be want to try and find that lost vendor, or another vendor of your choice, just to have on standby in case you really do need them one day.

dogdaze, Welcome to the board!
You should be able to pick up one of these RJ45/DB9 modular adapters at your local Radio Shack.
The adapter, Ed's pinout, and a straight-thru cable should get you going. :thumb:

Hmm,.. I'm sure some people live for this kind of stuff. All our PLC techs do, but I just don't have the time right now. I haven't dragged out my soldering tools since the coax days. Anyone want to sell me a working cable? PM me, please.

Thanks! And glad to be here.
-Devi

Just so you don't all think I'm a snob or a wuss, I did try to build the cable. No luck. Cannot get the adm prompt and getting fed up with this antique.

I'm serious about buying a working cable.

-d.

Devi:

There's no factory-made cable assembly. It has to be field-constructed using a standard four-pair patch cord and an adapter that has the pins configured according to the pinouts I sent previously.

Do you know if there is an external panel that provides two DB25 connectors or a cable coming out of the system with two DB25 connectors on the end of it? It may be that the one labeled "COM3" is the programming port.

It's really not an antique system, in fact it is actually rock-solid with regard to performance, so be patient. We will get you connected.

Sorry, I have no idea how old it is. I was told by my new boss that is was an antique.

I do appreciate your pinout info; it just didn't work on this ksu. 4896 documentation says com3 (db25) is a printer port but I'm willing to try it. Have nto gotten it to print yet either but that's cause I assume I first have to locate a serial printer.

-Devi

It's been a while since I worked with that system, but I am pretty sure that the default programming port is COM3, so you should explore that avenue. The default settings are 2400, N, 8 and 1. The original installer probably adjusted the baud rate up to 9600 for obvious reasons, so start there and work your way down to 4800 then to 2400.

I am not sure if a straight-through or a null-modem cable is required to connect to COM3, but I am sure that you have both available. It's definitely one or the other.

To save yourself some headaches, try to get access to ext. 100 and explore the flash 25 and flash 15 settings, even if you have to do this after-hours. I think this will get you pointed in the right direction and save you some frustration.