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    APU set up with Wi-Fi

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Problems Installing or Upgrading pfSense Software
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    • JeGrJ
      JeGr LAYER 8 Moderator
      last edited by

      @forbiddenlake: No you don't. What would you need that for? I'm using a USB/Serial Adapter for WRAP, ALIX and APUs all the time. There is no need for a gender changer whatsoever. If you need one, you have the wrong cable. All I need from time to time is a serial 9-port to RJ-45 adapter for those devices that use RJ-45 as easier (and smaller) ways to build console ports into their devices (such as cisco, lanner inc. devices, etc.).

      Greets

      Don't forget to upvote 👍 those who kindly offered their time and brainpower to help you!

      If you're interested, I'm available to discuss details of German-speaking paid support (for companies) if needed.

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • stephenw10S
        stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
        last edited by

        Yes you do.
        Or at least every serial console I've ever used required a null modem cable. A USB to serial adapter, such as the one you linked to, gives you a male 9-pin serial port such as you would have found on the back of a PC 10 years ago. The console port on most hardware, including the APU, is also male. You need a cable that both changes the gender and cross connects the Tx and Rx lines; a null-modem cable.

        Steve

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        • forbiddenlakeF
          forbiddenlake
          last edited by

          @JeGr yes you do, as stephenw wrote.  Also because I bought a f2f straight adapter and it didn't work, then I researched further, bought a f2f null modem adapter, and it worked.

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          • JeGrJ
            JeGr LAYER 8 Moderator
            last edited by

            @stephen: Or at least every serial console I've ever used required a null modem cable.
            @forbiddenlage: yes you do

            Guys please. I don't want to argue, but give me the benefit of the doubt. And read what I wrote:

            What you need to actually see the output of your APU in case sth goes wrong is a "Serial Console cable".
            -> That is per se known as null modem cable.

            What you can use if you don't have a serial port on your PC or notebook is a USB to serial port adapter
            -> That is the one you are arguing over, that it needs some converter/adapter.

            Why? You take that stupid USB2Serial thing, plug it in, and take your console cable and plug it into the converter (that's what it is, a converter) and your board (WRAP, ALIX, APU, Lanner, whatever). So please give me the point that I know what I'm doing. I didn't mention any "strange" f2f or other adapters because the TS already seemed awfully confused over the nature of a console port in difference of a VGA port. And because me personally don't like any strange f2m/m2m/f2f adapters as they are - in most cases - calling for errors or strange happenings.

            That's why I was suggesting going the classic route by using a standard 9port console/nullmodem cable and a usb2serial adapter.

            Let's agree we all talk about the same and stop irritating the TS and other readers from this topic to buy any strange adapters or converters that perhaps won't function the way they want. OK? :D

            Cheers

            Don't forget to upvote 👍 those who kindly offered their time and brainpower to help you!

            If you're interested, I'm available to discuss details of German-speaking paid support (for companies) if needed.

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            • stephenw10S
              stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
              last edited by

              I agree we are talking the same thing.  :) We must be since all three of us have used a console cable and are aware of what's required.

              Reading back through it I can see where the confusion started. Forbiddenlake said you need an adapter as well as a USB-Serial converter, which is true you do. You had already stated you need a console cable which is the same thing. However you then wrote 'no you don't' meaning you don't need the adapter as well as the console cable. I then misinterpreted that as you saying you don't need any sort of adapter.  ::)

              Anyway just to be clear you need a null-modem cable also known as a console cable (the null-modem adapter is the same thing but shorter) and, if you don't have a serial port, you need a USB-serial converter.

              Steve

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              • JeGrJ
                JeGr LAYER 8 Moderator
                last edited by

                Agreed :D

                Don't forget to upvote 👍 those who kindly offered their time and brainpower to help you!

                If you're interested, I'm available to discuss details of German-speaking paid support (for companies) if needed.

                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • E
                  eiger3970
                  last edited by

                  The Serial-USB and serial female-serial female cables arrived.
                  Micro SD 4GB card with the pfSense-2.1.2-RELEASE-4g-amd64-nanobsd-20140410-0542.img downloaded onto it,
                  I bought a 12V 1.5A power supply but no power to ALU?
                  Specs/tutorial for building the APU say a power supply of 1 - 2 Amps should be fine.

                  Plugged serial-USB cable into
                  serial female-serial-female to ALU serial male port and into
                  computer's USB port, but computer recognises no USB?

                  Ok, tested power supply using a multimeter.
                  Red cable plugged into VOhmmA
                  Black cable plugged into COM.
                  Yellow dial turned to 750 V AC.

                  Black cable pushed into the inside of the 2.5mm power supply connector (positive).
                  Red cable touching the outside of the 2.5mm power supply connector (negative).
                  Multimeter result: HV 026.

                  Red cable pushed into the inside of the 2.5mm power supply connector (positive).
                  Black cable touching the outside of the 2.5mm power supply connector (negative).
                  Multimeter result: HV 000.

                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • stephenw10S
                    stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                    last edited by

                    Your power supply is almost certainly fine. To test the output with a multimeter you need to be on the correct range (if it's not auto-ranging). The '750V AC' setting is for measuring high voltage AC, such as the Volts at a wall socket. To measure the PSU, which is 12V DC, you need a low voltage DC setting. Typically that would be 20V DC or sometimes written 19V DC since the display can only read to 19.99V.
                    The output plug of the PSU is usually 'centre positive' so the red lead should go down the center of the connector.

                    Do you have links to the actual cables you bought?
                    If the computer is not detecting the USB cable then it can't work. What OS is running on the terminal computer?

                    Steve

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                    • E
                      eiger3970
                      last edited by

                      Thanks for the help.

                      Multimeter yellow dial set to 20V.

                      Black cable pushed into the inside of the 2.5mm power supply connector (positive).
                      Red cable touching the outside of the 2.5mm power supply connector (negative).
                      Multimeter result: 12.1.

                      Red cable pushed into the inside of the 2.5mm power supply connector (positive).
                      Black cable touching the outside of the 2.5mm power supply connector (negative).
                      Multimeter result: - 12.1.

                      Serial female to female cable.

                      Serial male to USB.

                      So yes, it seems the power supply is working.
                      No life at all on the APU?
                      Maybe the APU needs a trick like connecting an Ethernet cable or powering up and then putting the microSD card in the APU?

                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • stephenw10S
                        stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                        last edited by

                        Ok, check the leads at the multimeter end. The black lead is definitely in the COM connector and the red lead in the ' VOhmmA' connector?

                        Just as an aside here, I'm not sure how familiar with meters you are, do not put the red lead in the other connector, usually marked '10A', unless you know what you're doing. It's so very easy to kill powersupplies doing that!  ;)

                        If the leads are correct then it looks like your power supply is wired 'centre negative' which is incorrect:

                        @http://pcengines.ch/apu1c.htm:

                        12V DC, about 6 to 12W depending on CPU load. Jack = 2.5 mm, center positive

                        Maybe you typo'd the results? Where did you source the PSU?

                        Steve

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                        • E
                          eiger3970
                          last edited by

                          So
                          the power supply cable tip had the negative cable end with the 2.5mm metal positive.
                          the power supply cable tip had the positive cable end with the 2.5mm metal negative.

                          I changed
                          the power supply cable tip with the negative end with the 2.5mm metal negative.
                          The power supply cable tip with the positive end with the 2.5mm metal positive.

                          Black cable pushed into the inside of the 2.5mm power supply connector (positive).
                          Red cable touching the outside of the 2.5mm power supply connector (negative).
                          Multimeter result: -12.13.

                          Red cable pushed into the inside of the 2.5mm power supply connector (positive).
                          Black cable touching the outside of the 2.5mm power supply connector (negative).
                          Multimeter result: 12.13.

                          The ALU now shows a green LED light on the MOBO D7, D10 and D11.

                          The computer isn't showing any recognition of a USB connection.
                          My OS is Linux Mint 16 Mate 64-bit.

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                          • stephenw10S
                            stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                            last edited by

                            You'll have to check the logs in Mint to see what it made of the cable. It could be some obscure converter chip.

                            Steve

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                            • E
                              eiger3970
                              last edited by

                              Ok, not sure how to find logs on Linux Mint 16.
                              I went to /var/log, but nothing really re USBs?

                              I'm wondering if the MicroSD card is causing the pfSense OS to somehow not load and 'awaken' the USB port?
                              The MicroSD card has pfSense-2.1.2-RELEASE-4g-amd64-nanobsd-20140410-0542.img on it.
                              I downloaded this file from pfSense download
                                > Computer Architecture: AMD64 (64-bit) > Platform: Embedded (NanoBSD) typically with CF > Console: Serial > CF card size: 4GB.

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                              • BBcan177B
                                BBcan177 Moderator
                                last edited by

                                Logs are usually in the /var/log directory

                                "Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it."

                                Website: http://pfBlockerNG.com
                                Twitter: @BBcan177  #pfBlockerNG
                                Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/pfBlockerNG/new/

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                                • BBcan177B
                                  BBcan177 Moderator
                                  last edited by

                                  USB logs should be in /var/log/messages

                                  You can run a tail -f /var/log/messages which is a live display of the log. Or use a cat or vi command to see the log

                                  "Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it."

                                  Website: http://pfBlockerNG.com
                                  Twitter: @BBcan177  #pfBlockerNG
                                  Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/pfBlockerNG/new/

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                                  • E
                                    eiger3970
                                    last edited by

                                    Thanks for the suggestions.

                                    /var/log has no directory or file names messages?

                                    Just these ones:

                                    
/var/log $ ls
alternatives.log       auth.log.4.gz  dpkg.log        kern.log.2.gz          pm-powersave.log.3.gz  teamviewer
alternatives.log.1     boot.log       dpkg.log.1      kern.log.3.gz          pm-powersave.log.4.gz  udev
alternatives.log.2.gz  bootstrap.log  dpkg.log.2.gz   kern.log.4.gz          pycentral.log          ufw.log
alternatives.log.3.gz  btmp           dpkg.log.3.gz   lastlog                samba                  unattended-upgrades
alternatives.log.4.gz  btmp.1         dpkg.log.4.gz   mail.err               speech-dispatcher      upstart
alternatives.log.5.gz  ConsoleKit     dpkg.log.5.gz   mail.log               syslog                 vbox-install.log
apt                    cups           faillog         mdm                    syslog.1               wtmp
aptitude               dmesg          fontconfig.log  mintsystem.log         syslog.2.gz            wtmp.1
aptitude.1.gz          dmesg.0        fsck            mintUpdate.history     syslog.3.gz            Xorg.0.log
auth.log               dmesg.1.gz     hp              news                   syslog.4.gz            Xorg.0.log.old
auth.log.1             dmesg.2.gz     installer       pm-powersave.log       syslog.5.gz            Xorg.20.log
auth.log.2.gz          dmesg.3.gz     kern.log        pm-powersave.log.1     syslog.6.gz            Xorg.20.log.old
auth.log.3.gz          dmesg.4.gz     kern.log.1      pm-powersave.log.2.gz  syslog.7.gz
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                                    • BBcan177B
                                      BBcan177 Moderator
                                      last edited by

                                      Try dmesg | grep -i usb

                                      "Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it."

                                      Website: http://pfBlockerNG.com
                                      Twitter: @BBcan177  #pfBlockerNG
                                      Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/pfBlockerNG/new/

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                                      • E
                                        eiger3970
                                        last edited by

                                        Results are:

                                        
/var/log $ dmesg | grep -i usb
[    0.116162] ACPI: bus type USB registered
[    0.116175] usbcore: registered new interface driver usbfs
[    0.116181] usbcore: registered new interface driver hub
[    0.116199] usbcore: registered new device driver usb
[    0.554559] ehci_hcd: USB 2.0 'Enhanced' Host Controller (EHCI) Driver
[    0.554638] ehci-pci 0000:00:1a.0: new USB bus registered, assigned bus number 1
[    0.568048] ehci-pci 0000:00:1a.0: USB 2.0 started, EHCI 1.00
[    0.568070] usb usb1: New USB device found, idVendor=1d6b, idProduct=0002
[    0.568071] usb usb1: New USB device strings: Mfr=3, Product=2, SerialNumber=1
[    0.568073] usb usb1: Product: EHCI Host Controller
[    0.568074] usb usb1: Manufacturer: Linux 3.11.0-12-generic ehci_hcd
[    0.568075] usb usb1: SerialNumber: 0000:00:1a.0
[    0.568145] hub 1-0:1.0: USB hub found
[    0.568273] ehci-pci 0000:00:1d.0: new USB bus registered, assigned bus number 2
[    0.584052] ehci-pci 0000:00:1d.0: USB 2.0 started, EHCI 1.00
[    0.584067] usb usb2: New USB device found, idVendor=1d6b, idProduct=0002
[    0.584069] usb usb2: New USB device strings: Mfr=3, Product=2, SerialNumber=1
[    0.584070] usb usb2: Product: EHCI Host Controller
[    0.584072] usb usb2: Manufacturer: Linux 3.11.0-12-generic ehci_hcd
[    0.584073] usb usb2: SerialNumber: 0000:00:1d.0
[    0.584127] hub 2-0:1.0: USB hub found
[    0.584186] ohci_hcd: USB 1.1 'Open' Host Controller (OHCI) Driver
[    0.584191] uhci_hcd: USB Universal Host Controller Interface driver
[    0.584239] xhci_hcd 0000:04:00.0: new USB bus registered, assigned bus number 3
[    0.584432] usb usb3: New USB device found, idVendor=1d6b, idProduct=0002
[    0.584434] usb usb3: New USB device strings: Mfr=3, Product=2, SerialNumber=1
[    0.584435] usb usb3: Product: xHCI Host Controller
[    0.584437] usb usb3: Manufacturer: Linux 3.11.0-12-generic xhci_hcd
[    0.584438] usb usb3: SerialNumber: 0000:04:00.0
[    0.584492] hub 3-0:1.0: USB hub found
[    0.584545] xhci_hcd 0000:04:00.0: new USB bus registered, assigned bus number 4
[    0.584564] usb usb4: New USB device found, idVendor=1d6b, idProduct=0003
[    0.584566] usb usb4: New USB device strings: Mfr=3, Product=2, SerialNumber=1
[    0.584567] usb usb4: Product: xHCI Host Controller
[    0.584568] usb usb4: Manufacturer: Linux 3.11.0-12-generic xhci_hcd
[    0.584570] usb usb4: SerialNumber: 0000:04:00.0
[    0.584618] hub 4-0:1.0: USB hub found
[    0.882942] usb 1-1: new high-speed USB device number 2 using ehci-pci
[    1.024631] usb 1-1: New USB device found, idVendor=8087, idProduct=0024
[    1.024636] usb 1-1: New USB device strings: Mfr=0, Product=0, SerialNumber=0
[    1.024905] hub 1-1:1.0: USB hub found
[    1.136210] usb 2-1: new high-speed USB device number 2 using ehci-pci
[    1.268694] usb 2-1: New USB device found, idVendor=8087, idProduct=0024
[    1.268699] usb 2-1: New USB device strings: Mfr=0, Product=0, SerialNumber=0
[    1.268976] hub 2-1:1.0: USB hub found
[    1.340309] usb 1-1.6: new low-speed USB device number 3 using ehci-pci
[    1.436570] usb 1-1.6: New USB device found, idVendor=04f3, idProduct=0230
[    1.436572] usb 1-1.6: New USB device strings: Mfr=0, Product=2, SerialNumber=0
[    1.436573] usb 1-1.6: Product: USB+PS/2 Optical Mouse
[    1.539296] usbcore: registered new interface driver usbhid
[    1.539298] usbhid: USB HID core driver
[    1.604101] input: USB+PS/2 Optical Mouse as /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1a.0/usb1/1-1/1-1.6/1-1.6:1.0/input/input3
[    1.604186] hid-generic 0003:04F3:0230.0001: input,hidraw0: USB HID v1.11 Mouse [USB+PS/2 Optical Mouse] on usb-0000:00:1a.0-1.6/input0
[ 9232.342528] usb 2-1.2: new full-speed USB device number 3 using ehci-pci
[ 9232.436085] usb 2-1.2: New USB device found, idVendor=1a86, idProduct=7523
[ 9232.436090] usb 2-1.2: New USB device strings: Mfr=0, Product=2, SerialNumber=0
[ 9232.436093] usb 2-1.2: Product: USB2.0-Ser!
[ 9232.460808] usbcore: registered new interface driver usbserial
[ 9232.460826] usbcore: registered new interface driver usbserial_generic
[ 9232.460839] usbserial: USB Serial support registered for generic
[ 9232.463155] usbcore: registered new interface driver ch341
[ 9232.463175] usbserial: USB Serial support registered for ch341-uart
[ 9232.466347] usb 2-1.2: ch341-uart converter now attached to ttyUSB0
[14756.388091] usb 2-1.2: USB disconnect, device number 3
[14756.388293] ch341-uart ttyUSB0: ch341-uart converter now disconnected from ttyUSB0
[14757.476486] usb 1-1.6: USB disconnect, device number 3
[14757.716443] usb 1-1.6: new low-speed USB device number 4 using ehci-pci
[14757.812687] usb 1-1.6: New USB device found, idVendor=04f3, idProduct=0230
[14757.812692] usb 1-1.6: New USB device strings: Mfr=0, Product=2, SerialNumber=0
[14757.812695] usb 1-1.6: Product: USB+PS/2 Optical Mouse
[14757.815407] input: USB+PS/2 Optical Mouse as /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1a.0/usb1/1-1/1-1.6/1-1.6:1.0/input/input11
[14757.815597] hid-generic 0003:04F3:0230.0002: input,hidraw0: USB HID v1.11 Mouse [USB+PS/2 Optical Mouse] on usb-0000:00:1a.0-1.6/input0
[14757.884482] usb 2-1.4: new full-speed USB device number 4 using ehci-pci
[14757.977730] usb 2-1.4: New USB device found, idVendor=1a86, idProduct=7523
[14757.977735] usb 2-1.4: New USB device strings: Mfr=0, Product=2, SerialNumber=0
[14757.977739] usb 2-1.4: Product: USB2.0-Ser!
[14757.980085] usb 2-1.4: ch341-uart converter now attached to ttyUSB0

                                        Maybe the memory card doesn't work?
                                        I think the APU is supposed to have a Compact Flash 4GB card, but I have a MicroSD card 4GB?

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                                        • E
                                          eiger3970
                                          last edited by

                                          So, just ordered a new Serial female to female adaptor, in case the current serial female to female cable is faulty.

                                          I also removed the APU's microSD 8GB card > placed the microSD 8GB card into the memory card reader > placed the memory card reader into the computer's USB > opened the microSD 8GB card's folder > unzipped pfSense-2.1.2-RELEASE-4g-amd64-nanobsd.img.gz > deleted pfSense-2.1.2-RELEASE-4g-amd64-nanobsd.img.gz > kept the unzipped file pfSense-2.1.2-RELEASE-4g-amd64-nanobsd-20140410-0542.img > ejected the memory card reader > removed the microSD 8GB card from the memory card reader > placed the microSD 8GB card into the APU > powered on the APU > connected the APU into my computer's USB port > the computer is still not recognising any USB from the APU (the computer recognises other USB devices ok).

                                          I also tried the APU USB cable in another computer which recognised no USB when plugged into the 2nd computer.

                                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                          • stephenw10S
                                            stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                                            last edited by

                                            Neither that adapter or the cable you linked to earlier are null-modem cables which is what you need. Something like this:
                                            http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1-5m-Serial-RS232-Null-Modem-Cable-Female-to-Female-DB9-FTA-DB9F-F-/161195465404?pt=AU_CablesConnectors&hash=item2587ff9abc

                                            I assume you're in Australia. :)

                                            Try looking at the syslog in Mint:

                                            cat /var/log/syslog|grep usb

                                            or tail it whilst you plug in the cable:

                                            tail -f /var/log/syslog

                                            Steve

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