RJ-45 8-Wire ALTPIN Terminal/Printer Cable

Using an 8-pin RJ-45 plug, the following cable wiring supports most serial terminals or printers with either software or hardware handshaking using the Digi ALTPIN option. This cable is valid with any Digi RJ-45 serial port.

Most terminals and printers use Data Terminal Ready (DTR) for Ready/Busy hardware handshaking. The cable shown supports this method.

ALTPIN Terminal/Printer Cable for Software (XON/XOFF) or Hardware (DTR) Handshaking
RJ-45 8-pin
(Digi End)
  DB-25 Male
(Terminal/Printer)
Signal Pin

Pin

Signal

 DCD*

1

connected to

4

RTS

RTS

2

connected to

5

CTS

GND

3

connected (via shield) to

Shell

GND

TxD

4

connected to

3

RxD

RxD

5

connected to

2

TxD

SG

6

connected to

7

SG

CTS

7

connected to

20

    DTR**

DTR

8

connected to

8 and 6

DCD and DSR***

* ALTPIN must be turned on for pin 1 to be DCD. When ALTPIN is enabled, DCD becomes available on pin 1 of an 8-pin RJ-45 connector (equivalent to pin 2 of a 10-pin connector).
** Okidata Printers may use SSD (pin 11) instead.
***Some printers require DSR.  If DSR is required, it should be either wired or the printer set to ignore DSR (DSR Invalid).

Important: Other terminal or printer manufacturers may use different methods of flow control. Consult your printer documentation for specific wiring requirements.