SG-3100 Console Issue

ckcoder

I purchased an SG-3100 around 10/25 and finally started toying around with it right around Thanksgiving. It booted up fine and all, then I tried importing a configuration. It now goes through flashing the LEDs for a little while, first one, then two, then all three, before shutting down and starting over. This takes about a minute to complete.

Since I can't access the FW over the Web UI, I want to use the console. However, Windows is telling me "Device Descriptor Request Failed" when I plug in the cable. I've tried on multiple computers and multiple USB ports on each computer. I have only gotten a COM port once and it died as soon as I plugged power into the SG-3100.

I had a mini-pcie Atheros AR5B22 connected initially, and it was fine until I tried importing the configuration. But the console port has never worked for me with or without the additional hardware. Does anybody have any advice, because right now I have a rather nice looking brick sitting on my desk with flashy blue lights?

stephenw10

Hmm, it does sound like it's stuck in a boot loop for some reason. You will need console access to escape that.

Have you tried connecting to the console from something other than Windows? A live Linux CD perhaps. The error you're seeing seems likely to be a Windows driver problem though it's hard to see how that would be the same on multiple machines. Unless perhaps it's trying to use a built in Windows driver. Did you install the driver from here?
https://www.silabs.com/products/development-tools/software/usb-to-uart-bridge-vcp-drivers

Steve

ckcoder

I did install the drivers from that location. All of the Windows PCs are running Windows 10. I booted a laptop off of a linux live disk to test this out and when I plug in the USB after getting to a console I get the following:


usb 1-1: new full-speed USB device number 6 using xhci_hcd
usb 1-1: device descriptor read/64, error -71
xhci_hcd 0000:00:14.0: Setup ERROR: setup context command for slot 5.
usb 1-1: hub failed to enable device, error -22

It seems as though Linux is also having trouble reading the device descriptor from the bridge chip.

ckcoder

Different laptop, this time one with USB 2.0 ports to try. More of the same.


sub 3-1.3: new full-speed USB device number 5 using ehci-pci
usb 3-1.3: device descriptor read/64, error -32
usb 3-1.3: device descriptor read/64, error -32
usb 3-1.3: new full-speed USB device number 6 using ehci-pci
usb 3-1.3: device descriptor read/64, error -32
usb 3-1.3: device descriptor read/64, error -32
usb 3-1.3: new full-speed USB device number 7 using ehci-pci
usb 3-1.3: device not accepting address 7, error -32
usb 3-1.3: new full-speed USB device number 8 using ehci-pci
usb 3-1.3: device not accepting address 8, error -32
usb 3-1-port3: unable to enumerate USB device

I get the same results with the SG-3100 disconnected from power or connected to power. Is it possibly I have a bad unit? That saddens me, I really wanted to play with this guy in my new house.

stephenw10

Hmm, I've not seen that before. It doesn't look good though I agree. :-\

Please open a ticket at: https://customercare.netgate.com/

If you link to this thread that should speed things along.

Steve

ckcoder

Turns out that this particular error can be caused by a faulty USB cable. Trying another mini-USB cable granted access to the console. Thank you for your assistance.

septer012

@ckcoder Thank you, two used cables gave me the same error which left me frustrated, and your reply drove me to open a package with a new cable which worked.