Complete Newbie trying to connect to 1750 via console port

[kandaris]

My apologies for what must be a very basic question but I'm trying to connect to a cisco 1750 via the console port. I have the correct cable connected to the port, and the other end connected to the 25 pin lpt port of my PC.

Question 1.
I realize that a real serial port is preferable but can't I just use the lpt port as a serial port anyway?

Question 2.
Assuming the answer to question one is "yes, it is ok to use the lpt port for this", what is the next step to connect. I have a couple of "terminal" programs available with VT capability but I don't really know where to go from there. I can't configure telnet to use the lpt port to connect because that's not an available option (maybe a hint about the answer to question one).

Any help to a loser who can't even get a terminal session going would be greatly appreciated.

 

[BOKA]

Unfortunately, you CANNOT use lpt port instead of serial in the scenario given. Console connections <==> serial port.

Good luck.

 

[ChrisAC]

Why can't you use the serial port? ************************
Chris Andrew, CCNA
chris@iproute.co.uk
************************

 

[kandaris]

Well,

Here's the thing. I only have a 25pin male D Ring/RJ65 connector for the PC side, and only the RJ65 Console port on the Router side with a flat cable in between(This stuff came with the router). I even broke down yesterday and ran to Radio Shack to by a 25 to 9 pin converter. Then I plugged the whole Frankenstien mess into the PC and Router and the Terminal Client actually &quot;said&quot; it was connected. Well I wasn't buying it because beyond the &quot;connected&quot; status message I got nothing, and I mean nothing. I hit the return key a few times as suggested in another post here... nuthin, No carriage return, no terminal response, no characters, nothing. Just the blinking curser, mocking me... So I tried changing com speeds, and I tried them all... Nothing. Any suggestions? Do I need to order a different adaptor. Where might I order it? Is there any case where I could really be connected to the router but get nothing back. I'm pretty experienced in networking in general, but no router experience.

TIA

-Todd.

 

[BOKA]

Well, sounds like you are very close. I think, with the last configuration you have DTE/DCE cable mismatch. The flat cable you have is most likely &quot;rolled&quot; or &quot;roll-over&quot; cable, meaning it has all pins mirrored on opposite ends (1-to-8, 2-to-7, etc.) Try using regular straight-through patch cable instead. The easiest way to determine what cable you have is to look at the connectors side by side with pins facing you. If you see wires in the same order from left to right on both plugs - it is straight cable. If connectors mirror each other - it is rolled cable.
Also, when your Hyperterminal says &quot;cannected&quot; that just means it does not sence any errors with your pc's serial port. The default baud rate for Cisco console port is 9600, 8-none-1 , flow control - none.

If in the future you would like to get one DB9-to-RJ45 connector, this is the cheapest place I've found on the web:

http://www.cyberguys.com

, search for &quot;db9 to rj45&quot; (does not mean it is THE cheapest )

Good luck.

 

[ChrisAC]

A regular straight through cable won't work with the Cisco console port. Cisco include the &quot;roll over&quot; cable for that very purpose.

These days they normally come with the moulded 9 pin end on where as they used to come with RJ-45 at both ends and a serial adaptor.

I've got loads of them at work. Where abouts do you live? My desk is filling up with the damn things!

Chris.
************************
Chris Andrew, CCNA
chris@iproute.co.uk
************************

 

[kandaris]

I'm at:

Enterprise USA Inc.
32326 Grand River Ave.
Farmington MI, 48336

Bless you if you can spare one.

-Todd.

 

[BOKA]

Of course, the straight-through will work, IF you have the right DB9-to-RJ45 adapter. I have personally done this. Roll-over cable does NOTHING more then converts DCE connector to DTE connector and vice versa.
At work we've standardized on straight cables to avoid confusion. This way any cable you grab is the right one.
In the case above straight cable seems to be the easiest next step to try without rewiring or changing anything else. After all, the worst that can happen - it will not work again.

 

[kandaris]

Hey,

I'll try anything at this point. As you say it can't hurt to give it a try. Oh, and above in my second post I meant to say RJ-*45* NOT RJ-65, but you guys knew that of course, and tactfully ignored my blunder.

Thanks, I'll let you know how it goes on Monday.

-T.

 

[kandaris]

Yaaaaahoooo,

The straight through cable worked! Whew I was beginnng to think I was losing my mind. Now I can start bugging you guys with real router questions...

Thank you so much for your help.

-T.