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 6 and 8 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.