ASCII Terminal

ASCII display station 187-132 IBM 3151 ASCII DISPLAY STATION
Common Problems and Questions About 3151 Terminals

The IBM 3151 ASCII Display Station is a two-element workstation that provides attachment capabilities to both IBM and non-IBM processors. A native mode and 10 non-IBM emulation modes are included in the base of all models. The Model 110 should be used for
entry level applications requiring an 80-column display. Models 310
and 410 (which are functionally identical to each other except for the color of the display phosphor) should be used with applications that require 80- or 132-characters-per-line capability, 3101 emulation, a dedicated numeric keypad, Program Access (PA) keys, greater than 12 function keys or RS422A capability via cartridge. Additional emulations and attachment capabilities are provided in two new slim-line cartridges for Models 310 and 410.

The IBM 3151 Cartridge for Emulating IBM and DEC Terminals provides the ability for IBM 3151 Models 310/410 and 360/460 to support RS422A communications for the emulations provided on that cartridge. The RS422A interface supports a point-to-point direct coupling with a maximum cable length of 4,000 feet.
The main communications port has a selectable transmission rate from 50 bps to 38,400 bps, inbound and outbound XON/XOFF pacing (inbound pacing is the default and not selectable), and echo/character/block modes, and supports seven- or eight-bit word length and no/odd/even/mark and space for parity.
The auxiliary port on the 3151 Model 110/160 is a unidirectional RS232C port for attaching another asynchronous ASCII device such as an ASCII printer. On IBM 3151 Models 310/410 and 360/460 the auxiliary port is enhanced with a bidirectional data capability. This allows the attachment of output devices, such as a printer, as well as input devices, such as wands and ASCII terminals. Transmission rates from 50 bps to 19,200 bps are selectable independent of the main communications port speed settings.

The 3151 and 3153 keyboards are not interchangeable. The following is a diagram of the modular RJ keyboard connector:

PIN	3151 NAME	PIN	3153 NAME
0	NO CONNECTION	1	KBD CLOCK
1	FRAME GROUND	2	KBD DATA
2	+5	3	RESET*(PULLED UP TO +5V)
3	KBD DATA	4	SIGNAL GROUND
4	KBD CLOCK	5	+5V
5	SIGNAL GROUND	6	FRAME GROUND
6	FRAME GROUND
7	NO CONNECTION

These pins and connector drawing are relative to the connector on the 3151, 3153 video element. These pins and connectors are not relative to the connector on the keyboard coiled cable.
Which port is the main communication port?
If you look at the back of the 3151, the main port is on the right-hand side, closest to the edge. The auxiliary port is closest to the power cord.

Anyone know why I don't have the option for an ASCII display under Set Console? I tryed it on my 9595-0LF and 9595-3PT. Neither one has it. The 9595-0LF did go into "96-8N1" mode by itself about a month ago but it won't now that I want it to!

I have a "IBM Cartridge to emulate IBM and DEC terminals" P/N 94X4114. Of course nothing works with or without it installed ...

Hi Dennis !
   You need a nullmodem cable for the terminal and no cartridge installed (native mode). The terminal test switch must be in "normal".
   The 9595 should be configured to "keyboard and videoless mode" somewhere in additional features. Then the video card must be removed to force the machine to kickstart the ASCII-terminal at COM1.
   There should be a chapter on using the ASCII console in the EPRM ...

Your server supports the specialized use of some ASCII display stations instead of a display and a keyboard. The following IBM ASCII display stations can be attached to a serial port: 3151, 3161, 3162, 3163, and 3164.

Keep in mind if you plan to use an ASCII display station:
o You need to verify that your operating system supports an ASCII display station. Not all operating systems provide such support.
o Beginners All-Purpose Symbolic Instruction Code (BASIC) language is not supported when you use an ASCII display station.
o High-resolution graphics (icons and graphic-based programs) are not available when you use an ASCII display station.
o Power-on self-tests (POST) text messages and logs are not available on ASCII display stations.

Use the setup instructions that came with your ASCII display station and the information in this section to attach it to your server.

Notes:
1. You must use a null-modem cable or connector with your communication cable. Without one, the ASCII display station has no communications link with the server. (You can buy a null-modem cable or connector from your dealer.)
2. If your ASCII display station has a test switch next to the keyboard connector, make sure it is in the normal position, not the test position.
3. When you use the system programs to define the setup values on the ASCII display station, be sure the machine mode of the terminal matches the actual display station you are installing. For example, if you are installing a 3151 ASCII Display Station, you must set the Machine Mode on the terminal Setup Menu to IBM3151.When the setup values correctly match the display station type, the machine is considered to be in the native-machine mode.

To set up your ASCII display station:
   1. Attach the null-modem connector to the communication cable and to the back of the ASCII display station.Connect the other end of the cable to one of the serial connectors on the back of your server.
      Note: If you have enabled the serial port power-on mode, do not attach your ASCII display station to serial port A. You must use serial port B.
      Connect the power cord to the back of the server; then, plug it into a properly grounded electrical outlet.
      Follow the instructions that came with the ASCII display station to connect the power cable to the ASCII display and to plug it into a properly grounded electrical outlet.

2. Turn on the ASCII display station and make sure it is in native-machine mode. (See note 3 at the beginning of this section.)
3. Set the communication values on the display station:
      a. Press Ctrl and Setup to display the General Setup Menu.
      b. Press Send to display the Communication Setup Menu.
      c. Review the communication values and compare them to the values shown below.
            Line Speed (bps)              9600
            Word Length (bits)               8
            Parity                          No
            Stop Bit                         1

      d. If you need to change a value, move the cursor to highlight that value, then press the space bar to display alternative values.
      e. When all the communication values match the values specified in this section, press Send twice to display the Function Menu.
      f. Move the cursor to the Save data field and press the space bar to store these values.

Notes:
      a. When using the system programs, do not install an emulation cartridge unless it will support native-machine mode.
      b. The display stations designed for countries where English is not the native language must support the International Standards Organization (ISO) 8859/1.2 code page. Some of the display stations require a cartridge to support this code page. Check the information supplied with your display station to determine if a cartridge is required.
      c. For additional information about communication values, refer to the documentation that was supplied with your ASCII display station.
   4. Verify that all the correct values have been stored:
      a. Move the cursor to the Recall data field. This displays the current communication values. (Your server uses these during configuration process.)
      b. Press Ctrl and Setup to exit. Only the cursor will be displayed on the screen.

5. Start the system programs.
     o If you are using an ASCII display station:
         a. Insert the Reference Diskette in the diskette drive.
         b. Turn on the ASCII display station and the server.
         c. When the cursor moves to the top-right corner of the screen, press and hold Crtl and I. (the letter i) to view the Main Menu of the system programs.

     o If you are using a keyboard and a display:
         a. Insert the Reference Diskette in the diskette drive.
         b. Turn on the server and allow the power-on self-tests (POST) to finish.
         c. Press F1 to view the Main Menu of the system programs.

6. Change the Console Select settings to indicate that you are using an ASCII display station.
Warning: Before you make any changes using the Console Select program, make sure you have an ASCII display station attached to the server. If you do not, there will be no way for you to communicate with the server.

      When you are at the Main Menu,
      a. Select Set features; then, press Enter.
      b. Select Set console from the Set Features Menu; then, press Enter.
      c. Select ASCII display station from Set Console Menu; then, press Enter.

   7. Make sure the values are set as shown:
         Baud rate                9600
         Bits per character          8
         Parity                   None
         Stop bits                   1

Any time you change the ASCII display station values, you must also update the system unit values to match. The baud rate should always be 9600 or above. If you set the baud rate below 9600, the system performance decreases.
Note: These instructions assume that the display station has already been set to these values (see step 3 of this procedure).

Some server operations change when you use an ASCII display station (see the following list).

Communication When you are using an ASCII display station, the communication parameters will appear on the information panel (for example, 96-8N1). This information is not an error message.

Configuration When you run the server setup programs, system programs, or diagnostics programs from the ASCII display station, the display station values might change. If display problems occur after you run these programs, check the display station values. To check these values, press Ctrl and Setup. Modify the values if necessary.

Utility Programs To start the server system programs when using an ASCII display station, insert the Reference Diskette into the startup drive. Turn on your server.
Note: To restart your server after running the utility programs, press and hold Ctrl, then press C, A, and D. Release C, A, and D. Then, release Ctrl.

Diagnostic Tests When you select an ASCII display station as the system console, the keyboard, mouse, system board async port, and video displays will not on the diagnostic Installed Device list.

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