Connecting to a Cisco router via console port.

[Tod Merley]

>
> Thanks for your links,
>
> I've been trying out /dev/ttyUSB0, the problem is It doesn't exist, I'm not
> sure how to create a USB device.
>
> The adapter is a "console port to USB" and it works on XP via virtual com4.
> I think the driver provides the com4 port. Is there's a way to do this
> method in Linux?
>
> --
> ubuntu-users mailing list
> ubuntu-users at lists.ubuntu.com
> https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-users
>
>
>
Hi Joel!

Probably the easiest path for you is to obtain a PCMCIA Serial card.
Obtaining or making an RJ45 cable (if making, simply cut off the end
of an ethernet cable and add the DB9 to the other end) should not be
difficult - lots of info an the B&B site.

The process of making the Ubuntu to USB-Serial adapter appears to be
to make the appropriate Kernel module loaded, make the "i-node"
connection (buffer or pipe file table) which is where your
/dev/ttyUSB0 or whatever would come from.

Joel, the USB support is in general now automatic.  However looking
into the USB-Serial device blasts my research into the past.  This
appears to be a bit in the thick of it.

Near as I can understand you choose a driver (possibly usbserial.ko)
which needs to be inserted with the ismod command.  The following is
from an old article - I think the usbserial.ko would replace thier
usb-serial.o.  A bit more on finding the vendor and product numbers
following:

http://www.linux-usb.org/USB-guide/x356.html

Following is a "copy / paste" from a terminal inside my machine.  I
did the "cat devices" before and found only two of the four entries
shown - then I attached a 256MB flash drive.  Note the "Vendor" and
"ProdID" numbers:
-----------------------------------------------------
tod at tod-desktop:/proc/bus/usb$ pwd
/proc/bus/usb
tod at tod-desktop:/proc/bus/usb$ cat devices

T:  Bus=01 Lev=00 Prnt=00 Port=00 Cnt=00 Dev#=  1 Spd=12  MxCh= 2
B:  Alloc= 22/900 us ( 2%), #Int=  2, #Iso=  0
D:  Ver= 1.10 Cls=09(hub  ) Sub=00 Prot=00 MxPS=64 #Cfgs=  1
P:  Vendor=0000 ProdID=0000 Rev= 2.06
S:  Manufacturer=Linux 2.6.15-26-386 uhci_hcd
S:  Product=UHCI Host Controller
S:  SerialNumber=0000:00:04.2
C:* #Ifs= 1 Cfg#= 1 Atr=c0 MxPwr=  0mA
I:  If#= 0 Alt= 0 #EPs= 1 Cls=09(hub  ) Sub=00 Prot=00 Driver=hub
E:  Ad=81(I) Atr=03(Int.) MxPS=   2 Ivl=255ms

T:  Bus=01 Lev=01 Prnt=01 Port=00 Cnt=01 Dev#=  3 Spd=12  MxCh= 1
D:  Ver= 2.00 Cls=09(hub  ) Sub=00 Prot=00 MxPS=64 #Cfgs=  1
P:  Vendor=067b ProdID=2515 Rev= 1.00
S:  Manufacturer=Prolific Technology Inc.
S:  Product=USB Embedded Hub
C:* #Ifs= 1 Cfg#= 1 Atr=c0 MxPwr=100mA
I:  If#= 0 Alt= 0 #EPs= 1 Cls=09(hub  ) Sub=00 Prot=00 Driver=hub
E:  Ad=81(I) Atr=03(Int.) MxPS=   1 Ivl=12ms

T:  Bus=01 Lev=02 Prnt=03 Port=00 Cnt=01 Dev#=  4 Spd=12  MxCh= 0
D:  Ver= 2.00 Cls=00(>ifc ) Sub=00 Prot=00 MxPS=64 #Cfgs=  1
P:  Vendor=067b ProdID=2517 Rev= 1.00
S:  Manufacturer=Prolific Technology Inc.
S:  Product=USB Mass Storage Device
C:* #Ifs= 1 Cfg#= 1 Atr=c0 MxPwr=  2mA
I:  If#= 0 Alt= 0 #EPs= 2 Cls=08(stor.) Sub=05 Prot=50 Driver=usb-storage
E:  Ad=01(O) Atr=02(Bulk) MxPS=  64 Ivl=0ms
E:  Ad=82(I) Atr=02(Bulk) MxPS=  64 Ivl=0ms

T:  Bus=01 Lev=01 Prnt=01 Port=01 Cnt=02 Dev#=  2 Spd=12  MxCh= 4
D:  Ver= 1.10 Cls=09(hub  ) Sub=00 Prot=00 MxPS= 8 #Cfgs=  1
P:  Vendor=058f ProdID=9254 Rev= 1.00
S:  Manufacturer=ALCOR
S:  Product=Generic USB Hub
C:* #Ifs= 1 Cfg#= 1 Atr=e0 MxPwr=100mA
I:  If#= 0 Alt= 0 #EPs= 1 Cls=09(hub  ) Sub=00 Prot=00 Driver=hub
E:  Ad=81(I) Atr=03(Int.) MxPS=   1 Ivl=255ms
tod at tod-desktop:/proc/bus/usb$

----------------------------------------------------------

If the device does not automount to the point were the above is
created then see:

http://www.linux-usb.org/usb.ids

When the above is accomplished you should be able to point minicom or
other serial application and be happy.

A couple of things.  It may be possible to obtain a kernel driver from
the manufacturer of the device.  Or perhaps understanding of which
drivers would work well.  You may be able to google your device with
linux, Ubuntu, etc.. and find a driver and / or procedure to connect /
install.  Cisco may be able to help.

Good Hunting!

Tod