Greetings
I am building a machine whose logins I wish to restrict only to a single serial console, which will be another linux machine connected via a null-modem "cable" (more below) that will run minicom when access to the first machine is required.
I am familliar configuring the kernel/BIOS/boot loader/OS for serial terminals. The main question I had was about the cabling that I plan to do, and some pinout issues.
The cabling that I plan to employ for this solution will be as follows:
[machine] - [DB9 serial port] - [DB9-RJ45 converter (Cisco console cable style)] - [Cat5 cable] - [Patch panel] - [Cat5 cable] - [RJ45-DB9 converter (Cisco console cable style)] - [machine]
I fear that I may encounter several problems. First of all, I believe what I have constructed here is in effect a straight-through serial cable, and what I need is a null-modem serial cable. Because I'm using the Cisco style DB9-RJ45 converters, and I believe they're wired straight-through (can anyone confirm?), I don't think I've crossed the correct cables to allow proper serial terminal communication (hardware RTS/CTS flow control et al).
My question is whether I can create a special Cat5 cable to accomplish the proper crossing of pins. I don't think a vanilla crossover cable would do it, but if anyone is aware of the pinouts of both a proper nullmodem cable and the Cisco style DB9-RJ45 converters, I can crimp a specialized Cat5 cable to make this beast a null-modem cable.
If you understood me through all of that, and can help, please let me know!
Thanks for any information
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