Is APC's smart-signaling cable (940-0024) really proprietary?
Solution 1:
Having configured a number of SmartUPSes with AP9606 in my time, I do not remember ever having had the need for an "APC-proprietary" serial cable. The documented pinout looks like a simple null-modem cable swapping the TX and RX pins:
+-----------------------------------------------------------------+
| |
| Black APC 940-0024C Smart Signalling UPS Cable Wiring Diagram |
| This information is verified and tested to be 100% correct. |
| |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------+
| |
| DB9M(UPS) 2m Cable DB9F(Computer) |
| --------- -------- -------------- |
| |
| (SHELL)<---------+----//----+----------------<(SHELL) |
| | | |
| - - |
| | | | | |
| CHASSIS 9<--------------//---------------------<5 SG |
| | | | | |
| TXD 2<--------------//---------------------<2 RXD |
| | | | | |
| RXD 1<--------------//---------------------<3 TXD |
| | | | | |
| - - +--<1 DCD |
| | |
| +--<4 DTR |
| NOTES: |
| Cable type is shielded 28AWG. +--<7 RTS |
| The DB shells are connected | |
| to each other via the shield. +--<8 CTS |
| |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------+
| |
| Operation: The UPS communicates with the Computer via |
| ordinary RS-232 serial protocol at 2400-8N1 with software |
| flow control. Jumpered pins in the DB9F connector are for |
| automatic or PNP cable identification by UPS software. |
| |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------+
| |
| Male (pins) Female (holes) |
| DB9 RS-232 PC |
| type connector 1 5 5 1 |
| ---------------- _______________ _______________ |
| Pinout numbering \ . . . . . / \ o o o o o / |
| looking into the \ . . . . / \ o o o o / |
| end of the cable ----------- ----------- |
| 6 9 9 6 |
| |
| NOTE: Solder a wire to the metal shell for use as a FRAME-GND |
| |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------+
And instead of using a PC with a serial port, I would advise simply getting one of the PL2303-based USB-to-serial adapter cables - they work well for managing serial console stuff with nearly every OS released within the last 10 years.
Solution 2:
Well, it may be proprietary (in the sense of it being a non standard pinout), but you can find pinout diagrams if you know what you are looking for, and if you have a few inexpensive tools, you can also make one.
Here's a fairly simple one: This is the 0024C model:
+-----------------------------------------------------------------+
| |
| Black APC 940-0024C Smart Signalling UPS Cable Wiring Diagram |
| This information is verified and tested to be 100% correct. |
| |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------+
| |
| DB9M(UPS) 2m Cable DB9F(Computer) |
| --------- -------- -------------- |
| |
| (SHELL)<---------+----//----+----------------<(SHELL) |
| | | |
| - - |
| | | | | |
| CHASSIS 9<--------------//---------------------<5 SG |
| | | | | |
| TXD 2<--------------//---------------------<2 RXD |
| | | | | |
| RXD 1<--------------//---------------------<3 TXD |
| | | | | |
| - - +--<1 DCD |
| | |
| +--<4 DTR |
| NOTES: |
| Cable type is shielded 28AWG. +--<7 RTS |
| The DB shells are connected | |
| to each other via the shield. +--<8 CTS |
| |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------+
| |
| Operation: The UPS communicates with the Computer via |
| ordinary RS-232 serial protocol at 2400-8N1 with software |
| flow control. Jumpered pins in the DB9F connector are for |
| automatic or PNP cable identification by UPS software. |
| |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------+
| |
| Male (pins) Female (holes) |
| DB9 RS-232 PC |
| type connector 1 5 5 1 |
| ---------------- _______________ _______________ |
| Pinout numbering \ . . . . . / \ o o o o o / |
| looking into the \ . . . . / \ o o o o / |
| end of the cable ----------- ----------- |
| 6 9 9 6 |
| |
| NOTE: Solder a wire to the metal shell for use as a FRAME-GND |
| |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------+
Found Here