Connecting to a Cisco router via console port.

[Clint Tinsley]

> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Tod Merley" <todbot88 at gmail.com>
> To: "Ubuntu user technical support,	not for general discussions" <ubuntu-users at lists.ubuntu.com>
> Subject: Re: Connecting to a Cisco router via console port.
> Date: Mon, 4 Sep 2006 05:32:57 -0700
 
> On 9/4/06, Clint Tinsley <clintin at linuxmail.org> wrote:
> > >
> > > On 9/4/06, Joel Bryan Juliano <joelbryan.juliano at gmail.com> wrote:
> > > > but they have console  (SUA) to USB adapters which I can't connect. Any
> > > > idea?
> > > >
> > > Hi Joel Bryan Juliano!
> > >
> > > I am not sure what you mean.
> >
> > They are using an USB to Serial coverter which generally requires 
> > a driver to support it.  Unfortunate that the serial port has 
> > gone away along with floppy drive in the modern laptop computer.  
> > Suggest they find a converter that is supported in Linux or find 
> > a computer with a real serial port. These look like some great 
> > links though on the process.
> >
> > > If you are asking "how do I connect a USB port on my Cisco Router to
> > > my Linux Box then I think this article could help:
> > >
> > > # A modem - same idea - use minicom to control the interface (is old!!)
> > > http://docs.linux.com/article.pl?sid=03/05/14/123256&tid=20&tid=14
> > >
> > > # More modern
> > > http://www.mindstab.net/wordpress/archives/75
> > >
> > > I think the modern Dapper may well find such a device plugged into the
> > > USB port and add it to the tty list in /dev, you a probably more of a
> > > minicom connection expert than me but if I recall you can see it in
> > > the help for the commands.
> > >
> > > If you mean that they all have some kind of USB to Serial (as in RS232
> > > legacy port) boxes - well I would try a direct USB connection first
> > > but then I would be looking at some RS232 tutorials:
> > >
> > > # Good Basic Info
> > > http://www.taltech.com/resources/intro-sc.html
> > >
> > > # Comprehensive - Note Cable Wireing Examples
> > > 
> > http://www.camiresearch.com/Data_Com_Basics/RS232_standard.html#anchor242192
> > >
> > > I would also Google and otherwise read up on minicom (if installed you
> > > should have a local man page but if not :
> > > http://www.die.net/doc/linux/man/man1/minicom.1.html
> > >
> > > If you mean how do I set up SUA (NAT) when connected gotta read the
> > > local manual on the router.  Here is a link at least:
> > >
> > > # Fruit at bottom:
> > > http://www.akadia.com/services/cable_modem_with_dyn_dns.html
> > >
> > > Good Hunting!
> > >
> > > Tod
> > >
> Hi Clint Tinsley!
> 
> If I hear you then the Cisco routers have a serial connection
> (probably 9 pin RS232) which they connect to a serial to USB adapter
> which is then connected to a computer without a serial connector?  Do
> I hear you???

Actually, it is not my post with the raised the question.  As to the CISCO console connection, it is an RS-232 connection via an RJ-45 connector on the switch/router. Cisco provides a serial cable terminated in the RJ45 on one end and a DB9 on the other end.

What is really needed by the original poster would be a PMCIA Serial Adapter that provides a serial functionality at the standard serial I/O port addresses for COM's, without requiring drivers for support, which appears to be what is available at byterunner.com (below), compatible Linux, and they don't look too expensive for a single port device.

> If you really cannot get the USB-Serial adapters to work (probably
> worth a bit of time) then perhaps something like this would help:
> 
> http://www.byterunner.com/byterunner/category=PCMCIA+Serial+Cards
> 
> You could probably obtain one at a used computer shop for a song.