Sparc LX Serial Console

[Richard Robbins]

I've got a Sparc LX and am having problems using the serial ports.

The system seems to work fine with a monitor and keyboard attached. If I
disconnect the keyboard, I get a message during the boot process indicating
that the ttya will be used for I/O. I have a null modem cable attached to
the serial port of the Sparc with the other end attached to the serial port
on a notebook computer running a terminal emulator. The system does not
accept input from the terminal emulator and there is no evidence of any
output on the emulator.

The serial port characteristics for ttya are 9600,8,n,1,-. The terminal
emulator is set to emulate a VT100 with the same settings as the port.

Similarly, I am unable to generate any kind of response if I use the input,
output or io commands to try and access the port on a temporary basis.

I am able to use the same notebook and emulator program to access a serial
line on an Intel/Linux computer that I am running.

My goal is to end up with a headless linux box and be able run a serial
console from time to time.

I'm more than a little stuck. Your guidance would be greatly appreciated.

-- Rich Robbins