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Setting up HyperLink for Null Modem (AIX)

I include this document because HyperLink was tested originally through null modem to an Apple Network Server 500 (here's a 185KB image of the SX-64 and the ANS), running AIX. This should apply to any version of AIX 4 and probably AIX 5L. -- Cameron Kaiser

You will need superuser access for the following.

Become root.
Type smit devices
Select TTY from the menu.
Check if the desired serial port has already been defined using List All Defined TTYs.
- No, it has not: Go to Add a TTY. If you are given a choice between RS-232 and RS-422, choose RS-232. Choose the desired hardware serial port.
  Now, configure that port. Select the desired TTY, like tty0, etc., if you are given a choice. Under port number, select the appropriate port (press F4/List for a list of valid ports, usually only one). Make sure bits, parity and stop bits are 8N1 (8, none, 1). Set the baud rate appropriately (SwiftLink maximum: 38400 bps; Turbo232: 57600; null modem to user port maximum: 1200bps). Login should be enabled; terminal type should be dumb; flow control should be rts; status of device should be available. Leave all other settings at default. Commit the change by pressing ENTER.
  Now, check everything by following paragraph below:
- Yes, it has: Go to Change/Show Characteristics of a TTY. Choose the TTY you have just/previously defined. Make sure login is enabled and the settings are the same as above. Commit any changes by pressing ENTER, or if you changed nothing, press F3/Cancel.
Exit SMIT by pressing F10/Exit. See if getty is listening on the serial port with ps -ef | grep getty. If there is no getty process listening on the new TTY, you may need to bounce the init process with /etc/init q, or reboot the machine.
Exit superuser mode.

On HyperLink

Connect the Commodore to the AIX system's serial port using a null modem adaptor.
Run Configure and set the appropriate baud rate as defined above. Boot HyperLink.
Engage terminal mode by either clicking the link for HyperPlanet, or registered users can press F3 and enter any web URL.
Press RETURN a couple of times. A login prompt should appear; log in, start HLPP, press F1 twice to signal you're logged in, and you're set!

If you don't get a prompt at all, check your cable, and that logins are enabled on that port. Verify that getty is listening to the proper TTY. And are you plugged into the correct serial adaptor?

If you get garbled characters, verify baud rate and parity/stop bit/character bit settings.

If you get some normal characters and seem to lose or garble the rest, check that flow control is set to rts (hardware). (This won't work if you're using the null modem on the Commodore user port; in that case, set the baud rate even lower on both the Commodore and AIX sides.) Flow control only affects terminal mode; HLPP has its own software flow control.