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| hardware:serial 2011/04/06 01:56 | hardware:serial 2017/09/06 18:38 current | ||
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| **WARNING: attaching a serial port will certainly void your warranty and could destroy your unit.** | **WARNING: attaching a serial port will certainly void your warranty and could destroy your unit.** | ||
| - | ===== Serial connector ===== | + | |
| + | ===== Serial Connector Basics ===== | ||
| * The serial connector is at **CON4**, a white connector inbetween the two drive leds. | * The serial connector is at **CON4**, a white connector inbetween the two drive leds. | ||
| * This is a 3.3V TTL serial port, common on many hardware devices. | * This is a 3.3V TTL serial port, common on many hardware devices. | ||
| - | * You **CAN NOT** connect it directly to a PC serial port, you will need a | + | * You **CAN NOT** connect it directly to a PC serial port, you will need a level shifter, a popular (and simple) chip for this is the **MAX232** |
| - | level shifter, a popular (and simple) chip for this is the **MAX323**. | + | * **Warning:** Do not use 5v signals - you might damage the CPU |
| + | * TX is the outgoing 3.3 volt CMOS signal FROM the Marvell 88F5181 ARM CPU | ||
| + | * RX is the ingoing signal TO the CPU. | ||
| + | * Baud rate is 115200 baud - 8 bits, no parity and no flow control | ||
| + | ==== Pinout on the NAS ==== | ||
| - | |||
| - | ===== Pinout on the NAS ===== | ||
| - | |||
| - | * **Warning:** Do not use 5v signals - you might damage the CPU | ||
| * With the power button facing you and component side up | * With the power button facing you and component side up | ||
| * Reading left to right | * Reading left to right | ||
| - | <del>^Pin 1^Pin 2^Pin 3^Pin 4^ | ||
| - | |3.3V|TX|RX|GND| | ||
| - | </del> | ||
| - | |||
| - | Correction 30 nov 2008 | ||
| ^Pin 1^Pin 2^Pin 3^Pin 4^ | ^Pin 1^Pin 2^Pin 3^Pin 4^ | ||
| |3.3V|RX|TX|GND| | |3.3V|RX|TX|GND| | ||
| + | | |Tx of the Soc|Rx of the Soc| |\\ | ||
| - | Correction here is wrong. You should always use direction depending on device which You describe. | + | * [[http://picasaweb.google.com/100894775614123215686/DNS323#5596044900892645362|DNS323 Rev B Board w/Pin 1 Marked]] |
| - | First post was correct. Agree. Just to emphasize correct pinout: Pin 2 **is** serial data out from DNS-323, Pin 3 **is** Serial data in to DNS-323 | + | |
| - | Several pictures of serial port installation on the back of the unit can be found here: | + | __**It doesn't matter what adapter you choose below so long as you match up the PINs / Wires to the table above.**__ |
| - | http://picasaweb.google.com/rastislav.david/DNS323SerialLink# | + | |
| + | __**In general you only need to connect Pins: 2, 3, and 4**__ | ||
| + | ===== Serial Connectors ===== | ||
| + | ==== Using a USB cable ==== | ||
| + | If you do not have a serial port on your computer, FTDI sell a convenient USB cable that contains a serial chip and level converter in one, and has bare wires at the other end. The cable has drivers for all major operating systems, I am running it under linux with no problems. The datasheet is [[http://www.ftdichip.com/Documents/DataSheets/Modules/DS_TTL232R3V3.pdf|here]]. This is what i used: | ||
| - | ===== Hardware Revision C1 ===== | + | * [[http://www.digikey.ca/product-detail/en/TTL-232R-3V3/768-1015-ND/1836393|DigiKey 768-1015-ND USB cable and logic converter (TTL232R3V3)]] |
| + | * [[http://www.digikey.ca/product-search/en?vendor=0&keywords=WM1722-ND|Digikey WM1722-ND female housing (Molex 51021-0400)]] and [[http://www.digikey.ca/product-detail/en/0500588000/WM1775CT-ND/242897|WM1775-ND pins (Molex 50058-8000)]] | ||
| - | If you own a dlink323 hardware revision C1, than the board layout looks a bit different. Take a look on this picture | + | Instead of buying the Molex Housing and Pins separate, you can __purchase a pre-assembled Molex Housing/Pins__ and save yourself the trouble of soldering/fitting the pins. [[https://picasaweb.google.com/100894775614123215686/DNS323#5596065303294291378|Example]] - [[http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220743624686|Buy From eBay]] |
| - | [[http://denny-schierz.de/temp/revision_c1.jpg|Layout]] | + | Just solder the wires to the connector in this order: |
| - | A - J is the JTAG and 1- 4 is the serial panel. | ||
| - | |||
| - | Hardware Layout C1 | ||
| ^Pin 1^Pin 2^Pin 3^Pin 4^ | ^Pin 1^Pin 2^Pin 3^Pin 4^ | ||
| - | |3.3V|RX|TX|GND| | + | |Red|Yellow|Orange|Black| |
| - | 3.3V has to be connected to VCC, if you have a level converter. You see, it's the same :-) | + | When using the USB to Serial adapter with the DNS-323, you may have to disconnect the red (power) lead from the connector. On the Rev. A1 of the board, once the USB connector is plugged into a computer, it may power up the DNS-323 mainboard and start the boot process without the powerbutton being pushed. Once the red lead was disconnected, the DNS-323 wouldn't start until the power button was pushed, thereby allowing the complete boot sequence to be viewed. |
| - | Pin2-> PC RX - DNS TX, Pin3-> PC TX - DNS RX | + | datasheet link is modifed to [[http://www.ftdichip.com/Support/Documents/DataSheets/Cables/DS_TTL-232RG_CABLES.pdf|here]]. |
| + | ==== Nokia Data Cable Adapter ==== | ||
| + | Perhaps the cheapest/simplest way to connect to the DNS-323 via its serial port is to get your hands on a Nokia CA-42 or DKU-5 data cable. These cables already contain electronics necessary to interface between RS-232 and USB, and cheap knock-offs are readily available for a few dollars on eBay, buy.com, dealextreme, etc. For complete details on adapting one of these cables for this purpose, please see [[http://buffalo.nas-central.org/wiki/Use_a_Nokia_Serial_Cable_on_an_ARM9_Linkstation|http://buffalo.nas-central.org/wiki/Use_a_Nokia_Serial_Cable_on_an_ARM9_Linkstation]] and [[http://www.uchobby.com/index.php/2009/10/04/diy-usb-to-serial-cable-for-3/|http://www.uchobby.com/index.php/2009/10/04/diy-usb-to-serial-cable-for-3/]]. | ||
| + | Your finished cable will have a USB A connector on one end and either three or four wires on the other (RX, TX, GND, and possibly power). Whether or not the power line is needed depends on the specific design of the circuitry within the cable (note that the housing around the USB connector is longer than normal to accommodate this circuitry). In cables where the phone powers the circuitry (in this case, think of our DNS-323 as the phone), the power line will be present. On the other hand, the circuitry within the cable may be powered directly from the USB port; in these cables, the power line will be absent. Regardless of which design you have, you'll need to install a USB serial port driver on your computer before attaching your cable to the DNS-323. Separate the wires (we don't want any shorts!) and plug the USB connector into your computer. Windows will detect new hardware and ask for a driver. Instructions for downloading and installing Prolific's USB serial driver are at [[http://www.plugapps.com/index.php5/Hardware:_Pogoplug_Pro_Serial|http://www.plugapps.com/index.php5/Hardware:_Pogoplug_Pro_Serial]]. After the driver is installed, use Device Manager to verify/adjust the settings of your new serial port (port number, baud rate, etc). | ||
| - | ===== Parts Used ===== | + | Now all that remains is to connect the wires to the serial interface connector on your DNS-323 as described elsewhere on this page, fire up PuTTY or a similar terminal program and -- if everything is wired correctly -- voila! You now have console access to your DNS-323! If you have any doubts about whether your cable is correctly wired, you might want to first run a simple loopback test before connecting it to your DNS-323 (see links above for the details). |
| - | * I bought the connectors from [[http://www.digikey.com|Digikey]] | + | |
| - | * Digikey WM1722-ND female housing and WM1775-ND pins (= MX51021-0400 + MX 50079/50058) | + | |
| - | * Digikey MAX3232ECPE+-ND 16 pin dip part (note the odd +-ND suffix is correct) | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | ===== Terminology ===== | + | |
| - | * **TX** is the outgoing 3.3 volt CMOS signal FROM the Marvell 88F5181 ARM CPU | + | |
| - | * **RX** is the ingoing signal TO the CPU. | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | ===== Data Rate ===== | + | |
| - | * Baud rate is 115200 baud - 8 bits, no parity and no flow control. | + | |
| - | If properly connected, you will see several messages during boot time. You need to break into the shell to type commands, as you could do in a normal ssh or telnet session. | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | ===== Breaking into a shell ===== | + | |
| - | * Magic code to break into shell is **5784468** followed by the enter key | + | |
| - | * I looked at the ash.c source - see busybox-1.00-pre1/shell/ash.c - Look for **is_interactive** | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | + | ||
| - | ===== U-BOOT ===== | + | |
| - | * See [[http://wiki.dns323.info/howto:uboot|U-BOOT Monitor]] | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | + | ||
| - | + | ||
| - | ===== Serial to TRS (mini stereo) ===== | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | A very simple way of extending the serial port to an accessible position is to make a connector from the on-board header to a mini stereo (TRS) socket, then mount the socket behind the face plate of the DNS-323. This helps to preserve the original appearance of the unit, as the socket is only visible when the front face plate is removed as if to add a new drive. | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | You can then use an [[http://www.ftdichip.com/Products/EvaluationKits/TTL-232R-3V3-AJ.htm|FTDI USB->Serial adapter]] to connect it to the PC. Of course, something like the Nokia CA-42 cable (or a cheap clone) can easily be retrofitted with a suitable mini-stereo plug as well, which is what I ended up doing. | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | This diagram shows how FTDI wire up their connectors. It probably makes sense to do the same if you repurpose a CA-42 cable. | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | {{http://www.ftdichip.com/Images/TTL-232R-AJ%20pinout.jpg}} | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | Here are some shots of how I mounted mine: | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | {{:hardware:serial_trs.jpg}} | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | {{:hardware:trs_mounted.jpg}} | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | ===== Building your own RS232 level adapter ===== | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | If you are used to electronics and prefer doing things by yourself, you can build you own level converter. | + | |
| - | Go to [[http://wiki.dns323.info/howto:serial_level_adapter|Serial_level_adapter]] | + | |
| - | ===== Using bkamen's RS232->Logic adapter ===== | + | ==== bkamen's RS232->Logic Adapter ==== |
| Forum User 'bkamen' is an electronics designer and made some RS232 to logic board for his lab and some clients as well as anyone else who needs them. They come already assembled with a 3V-5.5V MAX3221, DE-9 connector and indication LED's -- ready to solder to the board with some wire. In the image below, you can see the signals coming off the end of the board. Just solder to them. (_INV_ isn't used in this appplication) | Forum User 'bkamen' is an electronics designer and made some RS232 to logic board for his lab and some clients as well as anyone else who needs them. They come already assembled with a 3V-5.5V MAX3221, DE-9 connector and indication LED's -- ready to solder to the board with some wire. In the image below, you can see the signals coming off the end of the board. Just solder to them. (_INV_ isn't used in this appplication) | ||
| Line 107: | Line 64: | ||
| {{hardware:img_0371.jpg| RS232->Logic PCB w/Test connection and DE-9 to PC}} | {{hardware:img_0371.jpg| RS232->Logic PCB w/Test connection and DE-9 to PC}} | ||
| - | ===== Using the Futurlec board ===== | + | ==== Using the Futurlec board ==== |
| Futurlec makes a board at http://www.futurlec.com/Mini_RS232_TTL_3V.shtml that can be used to perform the | Futurlec makes a board at http://www.futurlec.com/Mini_RS232_TTL_3V.shtml that can be used to perform the | ||
| level conversion. This is one way to go. It can even be mounted in the center brace. Here is one way to go, | level conversion. This is one way to go. It can even be mounted in the center brace. Here is one way to go, | ||
| Line 146: | Line 103: | ||
| * Put the RJxx connector through, and mount the board. When mounting, use the nylon washers on both sides of the circuit board. Put it all back together and test again. | * Put the RJxx connector through, and mount the board. When mounting, use the nylon washers on both sides of the circuit board. Put it all back together and test again. | ||
| - | Here's two pictures of the panel {{hardware:dns323-serial-panel1.jpg}} {{hardware:dns323-serial-panel2.jpg}} | + | {{hardware:dns323-serial-panel1.jpg}} {{hardware:dns323-serial-panel2.jpg}}\\ |
| + | **Here's two pictures of the panel:** | ||
| - | Here's a picture of the inside. Note that I have way too much wire, so don't do that :) {{hardware:dns323-serial-inside.jpg}} | + | {{hardware:dns323-serial-inside.jpg}}\\ |
| + | **Here's a picture of the inside. Note that I have way too much wire, so don't do that :)** | ||
| - | Here's the final product {{hardware:dns323-serial-final.jpg}} | + | {{hardware:dns323-serial-final.jpg}}\\ |
| + | **Here's the final product** | ||
| + | ==== Building your own RS232 level adapter ==== | ||
| + | If you are used to electronics and prefer doing things by yourself, you can build you own level converter. | ||
| + | Go to [[http://wiki.dns323.info/howto:serial_level_adapter|Serial_level_adapter]] | ||
| + | ===== Optional: Easy Access Mini-Stereo Port ===== | ||
| + | A very simple way of extending the serial port to an accessible position is to make a connector from the on-board header to a mini stereo (TRS) socket, then mount the socket behind the face plate of the DNS-323. This helps to preserve the original appearance of the unit, as the socket is only visible when the front face plate is removed as if to add a new drive. | ||
| - | ===== Using a USB cable ===== | + | You can then use an [[http://www.ftdichip.com/Products/EvaluationKits/TTL-232R-3V3-AJ.htm|FTDI USB->Serial adapter]] to connect it to the PC. Of course, something like the Nokia CA-42 cable (or a cheap clone) can easily be retrofitted with a suitable mini-stereo plug as well, which is what I ended up doing. |
| - | If you do not have a serial port on your computer, FTDI sell a convenient USB cable that contains a serial chip and level converter in one, and has bare wires at the other end. The cable has drivers for all major operating systems, I am running it under linux with no problems. The datasheet is [[http://www.ftdichip.com/Documents/DataSheets/Modules/DS_TTL232R3V3.pdf|here]]. This is what i used: | + | |
| - | * DigiKey 768-1016-ND USB cable and logic converter (TTL232R3V3) | + | This diagram shows how FTDI wire up their connectors. It probably makes sense to do the same if you repurpose a CA-42 cable. |
| - | * Digikey WM1722-ND female housing (Molex 51021-0400) and WM1775-ND pins (Molex 50058-8000) | + | |
| - | Just solder the wires to the connector in this order: | + | {{http://www.ftdichip.com/Images/TTL-232R-AJ%20pinout.jpg}} |
| - | ^Pin 1^Pin 2^Pin 3^Pin 4^ | + | Here are some shots of how I mounted mine: |
| - | |Red|Yellow|Orange|Black| | + | |
| - | When using the USB to Serial adapter with the DNS-323, you may have to disconnect the red (power) lead from the connector. On the Rev. A1 of the board, once the USB connector is plugged into a computer, it may power up the DNS-323 mainboard and start the boot process without the powerbutton being pushed. Once the red lead was disconected, the DNS-323 wouldn't start until the powerbutton was pushed, thereby allowing the complete boot sequence to be viewed. | + | {{:hardware:serial_trs.jpg}} |
| - | datasheet link is modifed to [[http://www.ftdichip.com/Support/Documents/DataSheets/Cables/DS_TTL-232RG_CABLES.pdf|here]]. | + | {{:hardware:trs_mounted.jpg}} |
| - | + | ||
| - | + | ||
| - | ===== Making serial connection with a Nokia data cable ===== | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | An even easier way to produce the required cable is to purchase a knock-off Nokia CA-42 or DKU-5 cable. These cables already contain the level-shifting circuitry embedded in the USB plug and are readily available for a few bucks on eBay, buy.com, etc. For complete details, please see [[http://buffalo.nas-central.org/wiki/Use_a_Nokia_Serial_Cable_on_an_ARM9_Linkstation|http://buffalo.nas-central.org/wiki/Use_a_Nokia_Serial_Cable_on_an_ARM9_Linkstation]]. | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | To communicate with your DNS-323 via this cable, you'll also need to install a USB serial driver on your desktop (instructions [[http://www.plugapps.com/index.php5/Hardware:_Pogoplug_Pro_Serial|here]]), and use a terminal program such as puTTY. | + | |
