That's not all console cables are good for, though. In this guide, we'll answer the important questions about console cables, including what they are, how to use them, why they're still in use today, and what some of the latest developments in console cables are.

The main types of console cables are RJ45 to DB9 (a serial connector), USB Mini-B to USB-A, RJ45 to USB-A, and RJ45 to USB-C. These are quite different cable types that have been used for different eras of Cisco networking devices. They each have their places, though, and some of even the older designs are still in use today. More modern Cisco devices made use of a USB Mini-B to USB-A connection. Since USB-A became universal across a wide range of devices and computers throughout the 2000s, this was far more straightforward than utilizing the older DB9 cable. The smaller size of the Mini-B connector also made it a useful console cable for connecting to smaller networking devices. We've discussed a few real-world uses for console cables in this article, but the most common ones are related to network device configuration and setup, and troubleshooting. When adding a new switch or router to an existing managed network, console cables are almost certainly necessary to configure the devices before they can connect to the network. Similarly, if a network switch or router fails for some reason and loses network access, administrators need the ability to connect to it directly and have command-line access so they can adjust its settings to get it connected again. Although the RJ45 to DB9 console cable is designed to plug directly into a serial port on your PC or terminal, you don't need one to make it work. There are also DB9 to USB adapters that can be used to make the cable more compatible with modern computers. In any case, be cautious with any configuration changes you make. Remember: The CLI gives you very low-level access to the networking hardware so there is the potential to cause yourself a real headache if you misconfigure a switch or other networked device.

Specify the Bps/Par/Bits by pressing the E key and select the option C. You need to use the speed 9600. Specify the speed If you do not use Linux, but macOS, there is no need to panic. The same process applies to your Mac.

This makes unmanaged switches better suited to simpler network setups, with managed switches that make use of console cables better suited to more controlled network environments, where that additional oversight is useful and necessary. How to Use Console Cables (high-level) Console cables are an underappreciated component in modern networking that provides important functions for network administration. Without them, admins wouldn't have anywhere near as convenient or secure a method for interacting with networking hardware that requires further configuration. The serial connector wasn't for the Cisco networking hardware, either. It was for the PCs that were connected to it. At the other end, you'll find an RJ45 connector – but this is no Ethernet cable . It has the same 8-pin layout as an Ethernet cable, but the fact that it ends in something else is a good hint that it's a console cable. When modern devices are so interconnected with one another, console cables might seem like an antiquated and unnecessary component in modern networking, but that's not true. When setting up a new piece of networking hardware that hasn't yet been connected to the network, it needs configuration. These sorts of enterprise networks aren't like the plug-and-play networks that most of the world uses at home. Anything joining these networks needs to have all the parameters given to it before it can connect properly, and console cables are a great way to give it that information. When you're ready, plug the console cable into your networking device, and attach any necessary adapters, then plug the other end into your PC or terminal. From there you can begin using a terminal emulation application to interact with the networking hardware's command line interface. Popular options include PuTTY and HyperTerminal, but feel free to choose your own solution.

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From there you'll have access to the CLI, giving you all the power you need to effectively set up a router, switch, or other networking device. The CLI supports a range of instructions that give you minute control of the device over the console cable. Cisco maintains extensive knowledge bases of how its IOS Command-Line Interfaces work , and how you can interact with them, so refer to that if you need more help in actually configuring your device. In my example I will use a USB console cable. You can buy a similar one from here. Cisco console cable USB to RJ45 Connect the console cable to your router Return to the Putty application, select the connection type as Serial and specify the allocated port. I added COM3. Select the connection type Here you can see the output from my Cisco router. Explore and configure your router Method 2: Using Screen software

Now, you need to configure the connection and start it. You can use two methods for this. Method 1: Using Minicom software A similar command which gives us approximately the same result is: ls -l /dev/*USB* Finding the allocated TTY port – second method Install the required software and configure the connection The most modern console cable utilizes the latest in USB connectivity: UCB-C. These RJ45 to USB-C console cables provide excellent compatibility with modern laptops, including those with Thunderbolt ports. The Role of Console Cables in Networking Any network switch that can be configured using a console cable is typically classed as a managed switch. These tend to have a greater range of configuration options, as well as management features that let you monitor the settings on your local network, including its traffic, channel prioritization, and the ability to create new virtual LANs. Unmanaged switches are a little more straightforward and are preferred on some networks because they support plug-and-play, whereby new network devices can immediately access the wider network and don't require the same configuration.

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The last step is to press Exit. Now you can start configuring your device. Exit from configuration mode Before you can use a console cable for the first time, there are some necessary preparations that need to be made. Now, you can start to explore and configure your Cisco router. Explore your Cisco router Connect your Cisco router via the console cable on your Mac Console cables are one of the most underappreciated types of networking cable there are. They have played, and continue to play, an important part in the management, setup, and configuration of networking hardware the world over. Where some of those connections are antiquated and require legacy chains of adapters to connect to modern systems, console cables have evolved over the years too. Some of the latest console cable designs make the process of configuring networking hardware much easier. Press the Esc key to go to the main window. Here you have the possibility to save the changes. Select the option Save setup as DFL and hit the Enter key. Save setup as dfl