WEIRD networking connections on the back of this dell. Help???

Geminiwave · Sep 4, 2005, 01:07 AM

I wish I could take a picture of this.

There are 2 connections in the back of this dell server that LOOK like ethernet ports but ...hmm how do describe this. They ahve PINS. 6 pins sticking out from the center of the port, instead of the normal way which is the metal strips along one side of the port.

I dont know any other way to describe it.

Anyway does anyone know what the heck this is?! we just got this sucker and I'm not sure what to do with it. I wanted to make a server but I quickly realized that its RJ connectors are not compatible with our ethernet cables.

Yousaif · Sep 4, 2005, 01:37 AM

What model machine are you running there?

Geminiwave · Sep 4, 2005, 05:55 AM

I have no idea. Its an OLD dell server. Dual p2's at 350mhz. I dont really have more info than that sadly. Does anyone know about weird RJ connections tho?

Tipstaff · Sep 4, 2005, 07:30 AM

Sounds like a Dell PowerEdge 2300 server.

Did it have OS/2 Warp or Solaris on it originally? NT Server 4.0 or Novel Netware?

Edit:

Is THIS the board, Gem? If so, those 2 connectors are RJ-45 , but they are Server (sometimes System) Management Bus ones (one is in, the other out). You can also check out the manual for the PowerEdge server HERE.

In some cases you might find a PCI card that includes a token ring setup (IBM cards were 4 pins to 8 pins, others were standard rj-45), as well as MMJ typ connectors. They were 6 pins, but the clip for the connector was offset to one side. I can't think of anything else that would be rj connector styled, yet have 6 pins other than an RJ11 connector (or any of the RJ series related to telephone connectors such as RJ12, RJ14W, and so on). As you said, sounds odd. Now, if you could post a pic, or even a hand scratched doodle of it that'd help.

Geminiwave · Sep 4, 2005, 05:23 PM

Oh man tipstaff you're a genius. Thats EXACTLY what it is, I'm sure of it. I wouldnt know how to use it, but thats definately it.

man where do you even get CABLES for such a thing/!

anyway I'll try to get some pics up later but I have to borrow a digital camera to do it. Still I think thats it right there.

H3X4D3C1M4L · Sep 11, 2005, 05:26 PM

You could make your cables if you find a pin out diagram of that connector and an RJ45 connector.

I have 3 old ISA network cards that have those on them.

Tipstaff · Sep 12, 2005, 09:51 AM

I don't recall much about the SMBus other than what it's used for. Only experience I've had with it (and this was 10 years ago) is when a technician and I used a system monitor that allowed us to gain information on the servers system statistics.

Wish I could help more on it.

Sep 4, 2005, 01:07 AM	#1
Geminiwave I Have lovely Breasts Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: In the closet... Posts: 5,395 Rep Power: 64	WEIRD networking connections on the back of this dell. Help??? I wish I could take a picture of this. There are 2 connections in the back of this dell server that LOOK like ethernet ports but ...hmm how do describe this. They ahve PINS. 6 pins sticking out from the center of the port, instead of the normal way which is the metal strips along one side of the port. I dont know any other way to describe it. Anyway does anyone know what the heck this is?! we just got this sucker and I'm not sure what to do with it. I wanted to make a server but I quickly realized that its RJ connectors are not compatible with our ethernet cables. __________________

Sep 4, 2005, 05:55 AM	Thread Starter #3
Geminiwave I Have lovely Breasts Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: In the closet... Posts: 5,395 Rep Power: 64	I have no idea. Its an OLD dell server. Dual p2's at 350mhz. I dont really have more info than that sadly. Does anyone know about weird RJ connections tho? __________________

Sep 4, 2005, 07:30 AM	#4
Tipstaff HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Real capital of Canada: Torauna Posts: 6,773 Rep Power: 191 System Specs	Sounds like a Dell PowerEdge 2300 server. Did it have OS/2 Warp or Solaris on it originally? NT Server 4.0 or Novel Netware? Edit: Is THIS the board, Gem? If so, those 2 connectors are RJ-45 , but they are Server (sometimes System) Management Bus ones (one is in, the other out). You can also check out the manual for the PowerEdge server HERE. In some cases you might find a PCI card that includes a token ring setup (IBM cards were 4 pins to 8 pins, others were standard rj-45), as well as MMJ typ connectors. They were 6 pins, but the clip for the connector was offset to one side. I can't think of anything else that would be rj connector styled, yet have 6 pins other than an RJ11 connector (or any of the RJ series related to telephone connectors such as RJ12, RJ14W, and so on). As you said, sounds odd. Now, if you could post a pic, or even a hand scratched doodle of it that'd help. __________________ Portal: The Flash Version _________________________________ Brain: So, you sacked the cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker? Mr. Sackett: The second cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker I've sacked since the sixth sitting sheet slitter got sick. Last edited by Tipstaff; Sep 4, 2005 at 09:59 AM.

Sep 4, 2005, 05:23 PM	Thread Starter #5
Geminiwave I Have lovely Breasts Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: In the closet... Posts: 5,395 Rep Power: 64	Oh man tipstaff you're a genius. Thats EXACTLY what it is, I'm sure of it. I wouldnt know how to use it, but thats definately it. man where do you even get CABLES for such a thing/! anyway I'll try to get some pics up later but I have to borrow a digital camera to do it. Still I think thats it right there. __________________

Sep 12, 2005, 09:51 AM	#7
Tipstaff HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Real capital of Canada: Torauna Posts: 6,773 Rep Power: 191 System Specs	I don't recall much about the SMBus other than what it's used for. Only experience I've had with it (and this was 10 years ago) is when a technician and I used a system monitor that allowed us to gain information on the servers system statistics. Wish I could help more on it. __________________ Portal: The Flash Version _________________________________ Brain: So, you sacked the cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker? Mr. Sackett: The second cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker I've sacked since the sixth sitting sheet slitter got sick.

Sep 11, 2005, 05:26 PM	#6
H3X4D3C1M4L DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 6,794 Rep Power: 0	You could make your cables if you find a pin out diagram of that connector and an RJ45 connector. I have 3 old ISA network cards that have those on them.