RJ45 Console access
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Thanks @stephenw10 I'll check that out.
I just received my SG-1100 from the Netgate store. I'll be configuring it shortly but after that I'll be digging back into the FW-7551.
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Arrg! I have no idea how I'm supposed to get my test lead into the USB end and then also hold my other test lead on the RJ45 end, all while not being completely sure if I'm making proper contact :P (I'm using the smallest test leads I've got, still huge compared to the RJ45 conductors and the USB conductors.
I need a USB to RJ45 cable tester like I have for RJ45/RJ11, as well as a few audio cable type testers
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@smcgowan said in RJ45 Console access:
I need a USB to RJ45 cable tester like I have for RJ45/RJ11, as well as a few audio cable type testers
You don't have end to end connections on that cable. There is a converter chip in that cable that converts from the USB to serial interface. I have the same thing, except the serial end is a DE-9. Beyond that, one trick is to get a jack that accepts the serial end and breaks it out to screw terminals. However, they're not that common for 8 pin connectors and getting that way for 4 & 6 pins.
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@jknott said in RJ45 Console access:
You don't have end to end connections on that cable. There is a converter chip in that cable that converts from the USB to serial interface. I have the same thing, except the serial end is a DE-9.
Serial end? I'm not sure I follow. I think there's a lot of little lost in translation things going on.
I'm using this cable:
FTDI RJ45 - USB cable. A different cable was suggested by the manufacturers of the motherboard at the heart of the FW-7551, but the one linked in this post just now is the one I'm using. I'm having trouble figuring out how to determine if the signal at say pin 5 on the RJ45 side is making it to the appropriate pin on the USB side. I can barely fit my test leads into the USB end, let alone get it on a specific lead.
Of course, then there's the chip issue that you brought up. If there's a chip in there that's performing the rerouting of the signals, it's probably relying on power via USB to run, which seems problematic for our little netgear console needs, would you agree?Beyond that, one trick is to get a jack that accepts the serial end and breaks it out to screw terminals. However, they're not that common for 8 pin connectors and getting that way for 4 & 6 pins.
Again, I'm curious about the "serial end" moniker here. Do you mean the USB or RJ45 end? There is no DE-9 end, male or female, at any stage of this cable, or on any of my devices.
One last thing...I'm thinking if nothing else, I've had a fake prolific chip cable delivered to me. Apparently that is an issue with some sellers. Anybody know how I might determine that without tearing apart this cable?
Thanks again guys, I appreciate you all continuing through this little cable drama with me (pun intended har har).
Cheers
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@smcgowan said in RJ45 Console access:
Serial end? I'm not sure I follow. I think there's a lot of little lost in translation things going on
An adapter like that has two ends, the USB end, which plugs into a computer and the serial end, which plugs into the serial port of whatever it is you're trying to connect to. Many years ago, a DB-25 connector was commonly used, then DE-9. In many devices, such as routers and switches, an 8 pin RJ45 connector is now common.
If there's a chip in there that's performing the rerouting of the signals, it's probably relying on power via USB to run, which seems problematic for our little netgear console needs, would you agree?
It does more that just reroute signals, it converts from USB data, to RS-232, which uses different protocols, voltages, etc.. However, that device does rely on USB power. Any device with an A or C connector and some B can provide USB power. As for your equipment, if it has an RJ45 connector, then it's not expected to provide power. The power for that chip will come from the computer it's connected to.
You can test that adapter, by connecting TXD to RXD and using something like Putty to type. If it's working, you should see the characters appear as you type. Make sure handshaking is not enabled for this test.
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Yes, that exactly. You can't test continuity on that cable (except for the gnd maybe).
The best you can do is link Rx and Tx and see if typed characters are echoed back.
I would bet on a bad terminal setup of some kind. Maybe the wrong driver in there or not installed correctly in Windows.
Can you test using a Live Linux distro? Or any Linux client that will have the drivers included.
If not try re-installing the usb drivers in Windows.
Steve
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Connecting to TXD to RXD physically on the RJ45, ah yes that makes sense!
@mikeisfly, unfortunately I'm in a financial situation where I already bought this cable I have and my financial situation at this particular moment doesn't allow for purchasing further cables. Additionally, this is something I only have to do once every few years.
I'll launch one of my linux CDs and see if it works there, otherwise I'll go to the TX<->RX jumper route to test. I'm pretty dang sure I have no issues with my driver, since the SG-1100 console works just fine via a different cable. The putty session is identical as well. The Profilic driver needed for the cable I'm using with the FW-7551is the latest version.
I'll follow up after these tests.
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@smcgowan said in RJ45 Console access:
I'll launch one of my linux CDs and see if it works there, otherwise I'll go to the TX<->RX jumper route to test.
Regardless of what software you use, you'll still have to connect RXD - TXD. In Linux, minicom is a commonly used app for this.
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Minicom = my common app to use as well :) Thanks for the help so far everyone! At some point I'll get this connection worked out. Or, I'll finally decide that the FW-7551 is actually and totally dead on the output tip.
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