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    Connecting to a cisco device using serial console cable from pfsense

    General pfSense Questions
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    • S
      Snailkhan last edited by

      hi
      I have installed pfsense on commoditiy grade pc for my home lab and it has a serial port. nowadays all new laptps and pads etc dont have this port.

      is there any possibility to establish a console connection with the switch if i connect the cable between the switch and the pfsesense serial port ?

      i couldnt find an obvious package to achieve above.

      dmesg | grep "uart"
      uart0: <16550 or compatible> port 0x3f8-0x3ff irq 4 flags 0x10 on acpi0
      uart0: console (115200,n,8,1)

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      • JKnott
        JKnott last edited by

        You'd need to install some terminal app on pfSense.  I use Minicom on Linux.  However, an alternative may be to buy a USB serial port adapter.  I bought one years ago and it works fine with Linux & Windows.  Then again, you can also use ssh to access pfSense from another computer.  It does everything you can do with a serial port.

        PfSense running on Qotom mini PC
        i5 CPU, 4 GB memory, 64 GB SSD & 4 Intel Gb Ethernet ports.
        UniFi AC-Lite access point

        I haven't lost my mind. It's around here...somewhere...

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        • johnpoz
          johnpoz LAYER 8 Global Moderator last edited by

          I would think you should just be able to use the cu command, I just checked and pfsense has it available calling out the specific port and rate you want to use, etc.

          An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools
          If you get confused: Listen to the Music Play
          Please don't Chat/PM me for help, unless mod related
          2440 2.4.5p1 | 2x 3100 2.4.4p3 | 2x 3100 22.01 | 4860 22.05

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          • S
            Snailkhan last edited by

            @johnpoz:

            I would think you should just be able to use the cu command, I just checked and pfsense has it available calling out the specific port and rate you want to use, etc.

            Thanks for the super quick response.
            i red at this site
            https://superuser.com/questions/476580/how-to-connect-to-cisco-w3550-with-freebsd

            that command "cu -l /dev/cuau0 -s 9600" can be used to connect to cisco from freebsd . if i run it form my pfsense i get below error.
            cu -l /dev/cuau0 -s 9600
            /dev/cuau0: Device busy
            link down

            I am doing this conoluted thing as my switch blown and the only serial to usb converter at hand is not working and no pc with serial atm with me. i am locked out.  above if work is a good band aid.

            the speed is set correctly.

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            • Derelict
              Derelict LAYER 8 Netgate last edited by

              The only Cisco device I have with USB console is a 2901 Router.

              It enumerates as /dev/cuaU0 and I can cu to that but it doesn't respond at -s 9600.

              I can cu to the same router just fine from a mac on /dev/cu.usbmodem141

              Not sure what's up with that.

              The same workflow works just fine from pfSense/FreeBSD to another ADI unit: cu -l /dev/cuaU0 -s 115200.

              Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA
              The pfSense Book is free of charge!
              DO NOT set a source port in a port forward or firewall rule unless you KNOW you need it!
              Do Not Chat For Help! NO_WAN_EGRESS(TM)

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              • JKnott
                JKnott last edited by

                and the only serial to usb converter at hand is not working

                Some Cisco gear has a built in USB converter.  You connect to it with a mini USB cable.  I've never tried it, as I always had a USB serial port adapter.  If it has one, it should work like any other USB serial port.

                PfSense running on Qotom mini PC
                i5 CPU, 4 GB memory, 64 GB SSD & 4 Intel Gb Ethernet ports.
                UniFi AC-Lite access point

                I haven't lost my mind. It's around here...somewhere...

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                • Grimson
                  Grimson Banned last edited by

                  Did you turn on the serial console in pfSense? In that case the port is already in use.

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                  • Derelict
                    Derelict LAYER 8 Netgate last edited by

                    That is cuau0 not cuaU0 which is why he was seeing that on cuau0.

                    ls -l /dev/cu*

                    connect the USB console.

                    ls -l /dev/cu*

                    The connected console will be the new devices.

                    Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA
                    The pfSense Book is free of charge!
                    DO NOT set a source port in a port forward or firewall rule unless you KNOW you need it!
                    Do Not Chat For Help! NO_WAN_EGRESS(TM)

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