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Before you can use a console cable for the first time, there are some necessary preparations that need to be made.
Console cables can also be used to perform firmware updates on networking devices, as well as monitor the update process. Those training to be network administrators and engineers will use console cables as part of their educational program, too. If you're using a laptop as the PC system to configure the networking hardware, make sure that it's plugged in or has sufficient battery to complete the configuration. You don't want it to fail halfway through, or stop unexpectedly because the battery ran out. It can also be worth looking at the manual for the specific network device you're working with too, as some have their own commands and configuration options which aren't more widely used. This makes unmanaged switches better suited to simpler network setups, with managed switches that make use of console cables better suited to more controlled network environments, where that additional oversight is useful and necessary. How to Use Console Cables (high-level)Console cables are one of the most underappreciated types of networking cable there are. They have played, and continue to play, an important part in the management, setup, and configuration of networking hardware the world over. Where some of those connections are antiquated and require legacy chains of adapters to connect to modern systems, console cables have evolved over the years too. Some of the latest console cable designs make the process of configuring networking hardware much easier. Here you can see the output from my Cisco router. Explore and configure your router Method 2: Using Screen software
The last step is to press Exit. Now you can start configuring your device. Exit from configuration mode Return to the Putty application, select the connection type as Serial and specify the allocated port. I added COM3. Select the connection type The most modern console cable utilizes the latest in USB connectivity: UCB-C. These RJ45 to USB-C console cables provide excellent compatibility with modern laptops, including those with Thunderbolt ports. The Role of Console Cables in Networking After the screen software is installed, you need to open the program and specify the connection speed to 9600. Don’t forget to hit the Enter key. screen /dev/ttyUSB0 9600 Start the screen program After you have the console cable, the next step is to connect the USB end of the cable to your computer and the RJ45 end of the cable to the Cisco router. On the router or switch you will find a port which is labeled as console. You can find an example below. In my lab, I use a Cisco 2911 Router. The model of the router or switch does not matter. You need to take the same steps. Cisco 2911 Router Turn on the routerAny network switch that can be configured using a console cable is typically classed as a managed switch. These tend to have a greater range of configuration options, as well as management features that let you monitor the settings on your local network, including its traffic, channel prioritization, and the ability to create new virtual LANs. Unmanaged switches are a little more straightforward and are preferred on some networks because they support plug-and-play, whereby new network devices can immediately access the wider network and don't require the same configuration. As console cables continue to evolve, too, we're seeing new and exciting options like the RJ45 to USB-C console cable, which make it easier than ever to connect to modern laptops where Thunderbolt , USB-C, and USB4 connections are far more common, and access to legacy connectors like USB-A and even serial ports, are almost non-existent. The main types of console cables are RJ45 to DB9 (a serial connector), USB Mini-B to USB-A, RJ45 to USB-A, and RJ45 to USB-C. These are quite different cable types that have been used for different eras of Cisco networking devices. They each have their places, though, and some of even the older designs are still in use today. If you do not use Linux, but macOS, there is no need to panic. The same process applies to your Mac. Console cables as a group of cable types, have been around for decades. A great indicator of how long console cables have been utilized is that a common one for more antiquated networking hardware still utilizes a DB9 connection based on the old Serial Port design.
A similar command which gives us approximately the same result is: ls -l /dev/*USB* Finding the allocated TTY port – second method Install the required software and configure the connection But what are console cables? They're a way to connect to most Cisco networking hardware, like routers, switches, and patch panels, without needing a network connection. This is particularly useful when setting up this hardware in the first place, or if the device becomes disconnected from the network for some reason. Specify the Bps/Par/Bits by pressing the E key and select the option C. You need to use the speed 9600. Specify the speedConsole cables are an underappreciated component in modern networking that provides important functions for network administration. Without them, admins wouldn't have anywhere near as convenient or secure a method for interacting with networking hardware that requires further configuration. That's not all console cables are good for, though. In this guide, we'll answer the important questions about console cables, including what they are, how to use them, why they're still in use today, and what some of the latest developments in console cables are. That's not to say that Cisco networking hardware can't be configured remotely. There are modern web consoles that can be used to change settings once they're set up. However, if you're trying to configure them while they're offline and not connected to the rest of the network, like when initially setting them up, or for troubleshooting purposes, console cables give immediate access to the Cisco Command-Line Interface. When modern devices are so interconnected with one another, console cables might seem like an antiquated and unnecessary component in modern networking, but that's not true. When setting up a new piece of networking hardware that hasn't yet been connected to the network, it needs configuration. These sorts of enterprise networks aren't like the plug-and-play networks that most of the world uses at home. Anything joining these networks needs to have all the parameters given to it before it can connect properly, and console cables are a great way to give it that information. Change the hardware flow to no. Press the F key to change it from Yes to No. Change the hardware flow control
The first is to confirm what ports you're working with and therefore what kind of console cable you need. Does the Cisco networking device have an RJ45 console port, or is it using the smaller, more niche, USB Mini-B connector? If it's the latter, then you'll want to opt for a USB Mini-B to USB-A console cable. If the former, then you have the option of either an RJ45 to DB9 console cable or you can use an RJ45 to USB-A console cable, instead. From there you'll have access to the CLI, giving you all the power you need to effectively set up a router, switch, or other networking device. The CLI supports a range of instructions that give you minute control of the device over the console cable. Cisco maintains extensive knowledge bases of how its IOS Command-Line Interfaces work , and how you can interact with them, so refer to that if you need more help in actually configuring your device. When you're ready, plug the console cable into your networking device, and attach any necessary adapters, then plug the other end into your PC or terminal. From there you can begin using a terminal emulation application to interact with the networking hardware's command line interface. Popular options include PuTTY and HyperTerminal, but feel free to choose your own solution.
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Press the Esc key to go to the main window. Here you have the possibility to save the changes. Select the option Save setup as DFL and hit the Enter key. Save setup as dfl Now, you need to configure the connection and start it. You can use two methods for this. Method 1: Using Minicom software A less common use case for console cables is in the aftermarket automotive industry. Various companies that perform aftermarket tuning utilize console cables to connect directly with the engine control unit (ECU) in the car for fine-tuning the engine's parameters or monitoring its outputs. As this case study into DIYAutoTune's use of console cables shows, the use of an RJ45 to DB9 cable allowed real-time tuning data monitoring while the car was in use, providing important insights into the car's operation. Conclusion In any case, be cautious with any configuration changes you make. Remember: The CLI gives you very low-level access to the networking hardware so there is the potential to cause yourself a real headache if you misconfigure a switch or other networked device. Now you can start configuring your router. Configure your router Connect your Cisco router via the console cable on your Windows host
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