Serial port(s) for HP Z440 workstation

[bobmdi]

I'm looking to add a serial port to my HP Z440 workstation. My understanding is that there is serial port connector on the motherboard (seems to be a 16 pin connector with 15 pins used).  I can't seem to find the serial number of the adapter and cable used to couple to this port to make a serial port.  I've found a card/cable with part numbers [Personal Information Removed] (cable) but it's advertised as for "adding a 2nd serial port to an (unspecified) HP PC".  As far as I know there only seems to be one serial port connection on the motherboard, so this "2nd port" application is puzzling me. Maybe some HP motherboards have two such connectors?  

Can I just plus this card/connector into the Z440 and have a serial port appear, or do I have to also need to add drivers for it? Do those part numbers ([Personal Information Removed]) correspond to the Z440 parts that are needed? I've looked but not yet found that info.

If this is not the tight part, the choices are then a PCI serial port card, or just use a USB to serial adapter.  I gather that a PCI card may need additional drivers. Perhaps USB to serial is the easiest way to go if I can't use the port that's on the motherboard.

Can anyone tell be if the [Personal Information Removed] is in fact the right combination for adding one Z440 serial port?

[erico]

Here is the Z440 workstation Maintenance & Service guide

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c04823811

See page 5. The optional serial port is number 10 on the motherboard diagram. 

All you will need is a PCIe serial port card. Purchase one that states compatibility with Windows 10.

You shouldn't  need to install drivers. The last time I did this the OS installed them for me.

You can get WHQL drivers at the Windows 10 update drivers website, if required.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwj-jODxgsyEA...

https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Search.aspx?q=serial%20port%20drivers

[bobmdi]

It's my understanding that you don't need a PCI or PCI-E card,  The port connection (#10 on page 5 of the service manual) is a 16-pin header, which, if I'm understanding the system correctly, connects to an card which is attached to a serial port and PC board on the back of a full length knockout. panel Nothing plugged into the PCI slot. The connection is made to the MB via a 16 connector cable  (15 pins connected, more than needed of a serial port) and there seems to be a small circuit board between the cable and the serial port, which I assume must be doing something to translate the 15 input connections to a 9 pin serial port.

I think this is the board , e.g. this one - https://www.itcreations.com/product/41631, though nowhere can I find if this board is the right one for the Z440. You'd think it might be in the Z440 service manual, but it's not (as far as I can tell). If it is right, and an HP part with a part number of [Personal Information Removed], that part number cannot be found  when searching the HP website. "SORRY!We were unable to find any match for your search..." is all you get. Maybe it's not an HP part. Maybe it's something someone made to connect to the serial header on the board (but I can't find any tech specs on the header either). But if HP put the header on the board for an optional serial port, you'd think they would also have offered a "kit" to actually put a serial port on the back of the Z440.

There is mention of a 2nd serial port kit (on page 58) which does seem to be associated with a PCI slot since it's in a table about PCI slot load order, but no description of what is is, part number etc. On page 116 there's mention of a P54 system board designator for a serial port, but no figures. Maybe "P54" is the header on the MB?

It's amazing that HP put a serial port hearer on the MB, then make no mention of what's supposed to connect to it or how to install it.  Maybe in some obscure corner of there website there's a document, but it's well hidden. Searching on "How to install optional serial port on HP Z440" turns up nothing of use. If they are going to put the header on the board, you'd think that some where they would tell you what to connect to it.

There are several other ways to get a serial port. e.g. PCI card or USB to serial adapter. I just thought it would be easy to get the part that HP intended to be used, but I seem to have been very wrong in that assumption. HP are clearly trying to keep it a secret! I can get something that looks like it might be the part, with a cable that looks like it might plug into the MB header. It might install without a driver. Who knows...

[erico · Accepted solution]

In the diagram the motherboard header is listed as an option for a reason.

If  a z440 workstation was configured with a serial port as an option during purchase of the workstation, the card with its connector  to the header on the motherboard and  the part that fits on the backplane would have been present and connected.

The reason is that serial ports have, with some exceptions, gone the way of the dinosaur. There are, of course, some technologies in industry and business that still require the old school serial port.  (  i.e. specialized Lathes and some 3D printers)  

You stated a few times "that it is my assumption", or "my understanding", when it would likely be better to open the side cover and verify whether the  serial port header is actually present.

I did find the actual HP Serial port adapter for the HP Z440 workstation. The part number is HP PA716A

I found it in the other hardware section in the HP z440 manual I linked to below.

Online vendor sources

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=HP+PA716A

[bobmdi]

Thanks. That helps clear up a few things. Yes, I had checked the MB connector was present. It's not clear exactly what serial(optional) means when the manual describes that connector. Other the connector is optional (i.e. not installed on all MB) or the actual serial port is optional (i.e. the connector is always there, but the adapter and board which make up the DB-9 serial connector are optional). I'd though it was probably the latter.

I do have need of a an actual DP-9 serial port for machine/device control

The HP PA716A appears to be the same as the 628646-001 / 012711-001. I can't find any actual confirmation of that, but the parts look the same. I still don't understand why it's constantly referred to as a "2nd serial port adapter used to add a 2nd serial port to the PC". Where/what is the 1st port? Maybe they are calling the 15-pin connector on the MB the 1st port, though it's not actually a serial port as far as I can tel, or at least not a usable one. 

The remaining unknown is what happens when this adapter is plugged into the MP. Hopefully a serial port then shows up in the Device Manager without the need for additional driver installation. 

So thanks for the pointers and finding the HP part number!  I guess I'll find out the rest of the story when I get one and plug it in.

[erico]

You're welcome.