[rescue] Sun 3 Keyboard plug (on Sun 3) to Sun 4 plugs (for KVM)

[Earl D. Baugh Jr.]

> From: "Robert Darlington" <rdarlington at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [rescue] rescue Digest, Vol 59, Issue 26
>
> MAX232 will translate between RS232 and TTL.  I prefer the MAX233
> because it doesn't require external caps but it also doesn't meet the
> RS232 recommended spec of +/- 12 volt swings (it does +/- 10 volt).
> You can get free samples from Maxim Semiconductor.
>
> -Bob
>
> On 10/25/07, Earl D. Baugh Jr. <earl at baugh.org> wrote:
>>>> I am wondering if you can build an inverse adapter for Sun 4 and 5
>>>> keyboards to allow them to work on a Sun 3 kbd machine.
>>>
>>> Yes.  The keyboards are identical in terms of signal levels and
>>> first-level protocol (1200-baud RS232 bit trains, except using TTL
>>> signal levels instead of RS232 signal levels).  There are  
>>> differences,
>>> but they are relatively subtle - for example, the response to a
>>> keyboard reset command can differ.
>>>
>>> Sun even sold an adapter for using "new" (miniDIN-8) keyboards on
>>> "old"
>>> (DA15) machines, though if you're not afraid of soldering and have a
>>> miniDIN-8-to-miniDIN-8 cable that carries all 8 wires to cut in
>>> two, it
>>> borders on trivial to build your own.  (I've seen the Sun adapter,  
>>> but
>>> have little use for it, since I want to use type-3 keyboards on
>>> miniDIN-8 machines, and Sun's adapter goes the other way.)  See
>>> ftp.rodents.montreal.qc.ca:/mouse/misc/sun-kbd-cable.txt and .ps for
>>> more.
>>>
>>> /~\ The ASCII                         der Mouse
>>> \ / Ribbon Campaign
>>> X  Against HTML             mouse at rodents.montreal.qc.ca
>>> / \ Email!         7D C8 61 52 5D E7 2D 39  4E F1 31 3E E8 B3 27 4B
>>
>> Do you happen to have a part number, or a pointer to where I might
>> get a couple of these?  I don't have any spare miniDIN-8 and DA15
>> connectors, so I'd have to buy both... and it probably would be less
>> hassle to pick up 2 if they're not ridiculously expensive.
>>
>> T = $ as they showed in that old Far Side... (Einstein proving Time =
>> $ 8-) )
>>
>> Earl
>>

Actually, I'm looking for the actual part number for the Sun adapters,  
not
parts to build this.   And hopefully, a pointer to someone who  
actually has
them available....

Earl