Can anyone tell me if it is possible to connect to a Cisco Router RJ45 console port via a USB connection?

Many laptops on the market these days do not have a serial port. I've exhausted every avenue of search trying to find information on a USB to Null Modem cable. Could really use some help.

Thanks!

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quote:

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Originally posted by mikelb
Can anyone tell me if it is possible to connect to a Cisco Router RJ45 console port via a USB connection?

Many laptops on the market these days do not have a serial port. I've exhausted every avenue of search trying to find information on a USB to Null Modem cable. Could really use some help.

Thanks!

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That is because you are looking for the wrong thing. You are looking for a USB to serial converter. A Null Modem cable is something that you hook between two serial ports. You would not hook a Cisco console cable to a Null Modem cable which does the same thing for two serial ports that a console cable does to a serial and a Cisco console port.

Assuming that you are in the U.S. go to www.outpost.com Fry's on-line store and enter "USB Serial" in the search box, over a half dozen items will pop up from $15 to $80 dollars. Any will handle your need.

I just checked www.newegg.com with the same search words and they have an even greater selection with the cheapest being $9.99. I am surprised that some of them like the one from IOGEAR are not in the chain stores like best buy and compusa.

Good luck

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I have a Belkin USB to serial adapter already. The problem is that I have to connect it to a db9/RJ45 cable provided by Cisco with the router. The USB to Serial that I have does not register the router once the db9/RJ45 cable is connected to it and I have no visibility. Per Belkin, the USB/Serial does not contain the ability to do the conversion to the RJ45 console connection and recommended a null modem cable. I was hoping to find a straigh USB to RJ45 cable that would do the job itself. Not having any luck though.

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Sounds like tech support BS to me. What they are telling you is that the item does not really convert to a true DB9 RS232 standard. What good is that? A 9 pin null modem cable just really swaps pins 2 and 3, 4 and 6, 7 and 8 that is not going to do much for you. Either Belkin has a true USB to serial or they are blowing smoke.

Here is wiring for 9 to 25 null modem
http://www.loop-back.com/null-mod.html

Here is wiring for 9 to 9 null modem
http://www.uoguelph.ca/~antoon/circ/nulmodem.htm

I don't see how either is going to make a roll over cable work in a console port. They might do something for a router serial port but thats all.


If you need guaranteed RS232 go to this site but it will cost ~$30. Download the manual and check it out.

http://www.easysync-ltd.com/

Last edited by TheShadow on 10-01-05 at 03:13 AM

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