consoling into a router

[ZeroCool]

ok im trying to console into a 2500 series router..

ive got 3 2500 series routers connected together with serial connectors, and im confused as to how i connect from my PC's COM1 to the console, because the console uses a rolled cable. i have nothing that fits into my computer's COM port? what do i do?

[PrntRhd]

I ran into the same issue a while back when an outside contractor needed the hardware firewall updated at work and wanted to back it up the original configuration to a laptop before trying the update. If I remember they finally sent me a untwisted pair cable (flat) with the serial connectors on both ends.

[ZeroCool]

actually I believe I need a RJ-45 to DB-9 connector. If anyone can verify this, I'd appreciate it.

[deddard]

Yep - a rollover cable is what's needed, together with the connection for serial. Cisco do them straight from a serial connector to rj45, but I believe it is possible to buy adaptors.

the rollover is exactly what it says - pin 1 is connected to 8, 2 to 7 etc etc.
I haven't got the pinout for the serial port end, otherwise I could give you the pointers to make your own.
Cisco's site may be able to help, so I'll go look there.


............edit - here we go

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/switches/ps1938/products_installation_and_configuration_guide_chap ter09186a0080080fb1.html#1010420
this page shows the rj45 rollover (pretty simple) and how it connects to a serial port.:)

[ZeroCool]

Ok, I bought a RJ-45 to DB-9 connector so i could connect the rollover cable into my COM port. I had to wire the DB-9 connector myself, so I went by the instructions on http://www.bnc.ch/support/techlibrary/serial_cables under "standard adapter" . In order to know which numbers corresponded to which colors, i went by this website - http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.national-tech.com/image/rj45.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.national-tech.com/specs/31d1-17200.htm&h=173&w=392&sz=7&tbnid=Zrie-ehTbl4J:&tbnh=52&tbnw=117&start=1&prev=/images%3Fq%3DRJ-45%2Bto%2BDB-9%2Bcolor%2Bpicture%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8

I tried consoling into the router, and still no luck. Does anyone know if these websites are even accurate? If they are accurate, then my rollover cable is probably bad, right?

[Variable]

What are you using to connect to the router? Hyperterminal? If you can make your own cables then just make a rollover cable. It's simple enough.

[ZeroCool]

yeah im using hyperterminal

[pave_spectre]

Are you sure the settings for hyperterminal are correct (http://www.cisco.com/en/US/tech/tk801/tk36/technologies_tech_note09186a0080094465.shtml)?

If they aren't you will either end up with nothing, or complete gibberish.

[ZeroCool]

yeah, they're correct. a friend is loaning me a console cable today, so hopefully all will be well