What would this cable be used for? (..and why do I have it?)
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phaZed
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It's for (generally) a UPS battery backup system, so it can report to the PC the status and perform a shutdown, etc.
Thank you! I've had many UPSs come through over the years. This rings a bell!
YeOldeStonecat
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Haven't seen that one in a while. Also they used to be 9 pin serial.
And...there are similar RJ45 to USB...as well as RJ45 to serial...which were "Console cables"...to bring up telnet/Putty sessions on hardware. They were "usually" colored light blue though.
And...there are similar RJ45 to USB...as well as RJ45 to serial...which were "Console cables"...to bring up telnet/Putty sessions on hardware. They were "usually" colored light blue though.
Markverhyden
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That's for a serial connection for console management of any number of devices. Yes they were common with some APC UPS's but I've seen them on other devices. Uses a console session which isolates itself from regular TCP/IP traffic for security reasons.
HCHTech
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Others have answered the what, but the why is that you are probably like me - I save every quirky wire (and many non-quirky ones, too!). I can't help it. Every couple of years my wife gets on a tear and makes me throw out a few boxes of them. 
Sky-Knight
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I still have one in service, connects my APC SmartUPS 2200... which honestly is 20 years old and I should swap it, connected to my server.
Metanis
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Those old things were built very sturdy. Except you never know how much life the MOV's have left in them. So you may have plenty of backup power but reduced spike and surge protection.
Sky-Knight
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Very true, it's also lost much of its ability to detect the subtle changes in grid voltage. It's very slow to respond, but that doesn't matter as much because the Smart UPS 2200 is line interactive, my equipment is running on the inverter. All that's changed is the quality of power going into the charging circuit, and when that cuts it takes a bit longer for the UPS to respond. But again, the connected equipment doesn't care, it's been on the inverter all along!
Still... she needs replacing. The transformer generates more heat now than it should, she's done.
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