Well that is a poor excuse for a manual for not telling what type of serial port (DCE vs. DTE) it is using and whether you need a null modem or straight through cable.
That is why something as simple as a null modem adapter is handy to have in your serial communication toolkit. If communication doesn't work, slip that in and it will convert your straight through cable to a null modem or vice versa. I also find male/male and female/female gender benders handy to have on hand. Also, a device that has LED's that light up depending on which wires of the the serial communication are being used.
