Secure CRT settings - using rollover cable from COM1 to any of 16 ports of back of Terminal Server:

Protocol - Serial
Flow Control - DTR/DSR
Baud - 9600
Data Bits - 8
Partiy - None
Stop Bits - 1

If this doesn't work try dropping your baud rate back 2 steps..

This should at least give you display:

RS-423 Terminal Server, Type 36, Rev P.00.00
Ethernet address 08-00-87-01-39-D1, port 1
Configuration in progress.  Please wait

This is where you have to manually reset the box.  You do this by pressing the reset button (on front of unit- just under "E" of console) - you will have to use a pin.
Press this once (will light up all lights)
Press again and keep pin on the button as the light sequence changes till it leaves the last few lights lit up. (then take the pin out)

On your terminal to Terminal Server you now type in "access" which will silently be input to terminal server. Just keep typing it and eventually as it boots it will recognise this and put you into the following boot menu:

RS-423 Terminal Server, Type 36, Rev P.00.00
Ethernet address 08-00-87-01-39-D1, port 1
Configuration in progress.  Please wait


                    Welcome to the Configuration Menu.




MX-1500 Sixteen Port Terminal Server

Configuration/Maintenance Menu

   1. Display configuration
   2. Modify load and dump settings
   3. Initialize server and port parameters
   4. Modify network interface selection
   5. Revert to stored configuration
   6. Exit saving configuration changes
   7. Exit without saving configuration changes


Enter menu selection [7]: 2

Initialize load and dump settings [N]? y

Select a temporary TFTP load server [N]? y
Enter the IP address of this unit [0.0.0.0]: 172.16.0.2
Enter the host IP address [0.0.0.0]: 172.16.0.1
Enter the gateway IP address [0.0.0.0]: 172.16.0.1
Enter the name of the file []: mx1500.ys


(Type any key to continue)


Option 6 is save and exit.

(PS to do this you will have to have a tftp server hooked up on the ethernet port of Terminal server with the boot image mx1500.sys) Firmware files available at http://service.mrv.com/support/index.cfm

After you have reset the server it will boot and take you to a login prompt

RS-423 Terminal Server, Type 36, Rev P.00.00
Ethernet address 08-00-87-01-39-D1, IP address 172.16.0.2, port 1
Automatic Network Selection: Searching for functional network.  

                     Welcome to the Xyplex Terminal Server.


Enter username>
                     Welcome to the Xyplex Terminal Server.


Enter username>
                     Welcome to the Xyplex Terminal Server.


Enter username> mark
Xyplex> set priv
Password>

                     Welcome to the Xyplex Terminal Server.
     For information on software upgrades contact your local representative,
                           or call Xyplex directly at

                             in USA: (800) 435 7997
                           in Europe: +44 181 759 1633
                              in Asia: +65 225 0068


Xyplex>>

The password used for the set priv command is the default password of "system"

From this point is where you can define your port settings etc..

For console into cisco routers all that you will need are

def port 2-16 access remote
def port all telnet echo mode character

(NOTE difference between using SET and DEF are
SET is kept in Volatile RAM and hence lost on reboot
DEF (or DEFINE) is kept straight into config and hence kept on reboot.

some other settings:
define port all telnet transmit immediate
define port 1 telnet echo mode disable
define port 2-16 telnet echo mode character
define port all telnet newline nothing
define port all telnet binary session mode passall
define port all default session mode passall
define port all broadcast disable
define port 1 access local
define port 2-16 access remote
define port all speed 9600

GOOD LUCK anybody venturing onto this equipment.....I hope this guide helps anyone from wasting hours searching on google etc.......