Using serial ethernet cable as db-9 cable.

[kr0490]

I am trying to reset a firewall device on our network, and i need to access it through the serial connection. The instructions say to use a db-9 cable, but I have a serial to ethernet cable. Can I use that? If so, how do i setup putty to comunicate with the device this way. I included a picture of the instructions for connecting over a db-9 cable.

Manual Pic:

https://app.box.com/s/2u0b7k7uzh2uxujz7vd52ew6b56rju8u

 

[bill001g]

It is going to depends on the what the connect on the hardware looks like.

This used to be a easy question but now a lot of device the console port is RJ45 and it is actually rare to get a serial port on your computer.

So first you will need a DB9 type of serial port on your computer. This is either built in or you must use the USB-serial adapters.

If the end device has a actual DB9 you now need a cable that has the proper DB9 connections on both ends. This is called a null modem cable because it designed to hook between 2 male DB9 connections.

If the end on the device is RJ45 it is very common to use the cisco pinout. You need what is called a roll cable...it looks like ethernet with a different pinout. One end plugs directly into the device the other plugs into a special db9 to rj45 adapter that you can hook to the PC side. This really is just another form of null modem cable using the roll of the cable to accomplish it.

If it does not use the cisco pinout for consoles then you normally need a special console cable from the manufacture.

 

[Alabalcho]

The manual states that serial connection is DB9 interface. You need two items:
- a computer with serial port (or USB-to-RS232 adapter, can be found for like $20). If you still have devices with serial port, I would suggest getting a $300 laptop off EBay with such a port (there are still many Dell's D620, D630, D820 for sale)
- a null-modem cable