Netgate 1100 console to RJ45 cable recommendation

jg3

Hello ... I have a Cisco 2511 console server I want to connect to the microUSB port on my Netgate 1100s but I need to find a cable that will work. Any recommendations?

ty,
--jg

stephenw10

It's a standard USB micro cable. The server would need to support the USB serial port though.

jg3

Yeah, I got one of these things ... it's fine between my macbook and a Cisco serial port. But it's USB-C and I can't find a thing like this with a microUSB end. RJ-11 interface on a serial terminal server is pretty common, so I would guess someone has ventured here before.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CXT1MNRW

About this item

USB C cisco console cable is to help those who have a PC or laptop and want to use a USB-C connection to connect the console port with their Cisco modem,router,firewall,switch or other serial based Cisco device. This is the exact cable to solve such problem.
Universal Compatibility: Compatible with a wide range of network devices, including those from Cisco, Juniper, HP, and more.
USB Type C to RJ45 for Cisco Router Console Cable, Works great for tables Type-C USB port directly to a console port like a charm.
FT232R chip + RS232 Level Shifter, Compatible with any laptop/PC with a USB-C Port.

ty,
--jg

stephenw10

The terminal server would need to have USB ports and support the USB/serial chip in the 1100. I don't think the Cisco 2511 has that.

jg3

@stephenw10 Correct, the 2511 doesn't have any USB anything. The RJ-45 ports are just serial connections.

I can find several cables online that appear to get close:
miniUSB - to - DB9
USB-A - to - RJ45
microUSB - to - RJ45
USB-A - to - microUSB
DB9 - to - USB-A

There's probably some ironic conversion required to convert signals on a Serial interface to a Universeal Serial Bus interface, but I'm clueless in that part of it.

I'm not beyond using an adapter, but I'd prefer avoiding it if I can get a single cable solution. In any case, I was (am) hoping for a pointer.

Thanks

stephenw10

You would need something in between to act as a USB host and bridge the two USB-serial connections. Like a RasPi perhaps. But if you're doing that you might as well just use the RasPi as a terminal server.