How to connect to serial port on switch without a PC serial port

[modem]

Hey all,

I have a question here about a Dell PowerConnect 5224 switch I received not too long ago. I want to set it up and configure it in my office and to enable the management interface to it. However at the moment I have no way to connect to the serial port on the switch. My computers all are legacy free in that they don't have LPT or DB9 Serial ports, only LAN and USB.

I did do some searching in my massive stockpile of parts and found I have a USB to RJ45 cable as well as a RJ45 (female) to DB9 (female) adapter which all fits perfectly to the DB9 port on the switch. However when I use hyperterminal in XP, connecting on Com1 and COM3, nothing happens. No response. I'm thinking these cables/adapters might not be the right ones. Is that correct or do I need something else cable wise?

How do I accomplish this??

Brad

[Bgnn32]

you need a USB to DB9 converter, and it may work.

[bryonhowley]

Well you could get a PCI serial port card that would work for what you need.

Newegg has this one for $14.99 with two serial and one prallel port.

[goretsky Supervisor]

Hello,

If you want to connect via a USB port then you will need a USB to RS-232C serial adapter, which contains a circuit board to convert the electrical signals between the two different types of interfaces. They are fairly inexpensive to purchase.

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky

[+BudMan MVC]

http://docs.us.dell.com/support/edocs/netw...4cb.htm#1099632

Connecting the Console Port

The switch provides an RS-232 serial port that enables a connection to a computer or terminal for monitoring and configuring the switch. This port is a male DB-9 connector, implemented as a data terminal equipment (DTE) connection.

To use the console port, you need the following equipment:

* A terminal or a computer with both a serial port and the ability to emulate a terminal

* A null modem or crossover RS-232 cable with a female DB-9 connector for the console port on the switch

--

You need a "null modem" cable -- so its unlikely that throughing together some adapters and cables will work.. The switch should of came with the cable.. If you have no computers with a serial port, then as suggesed buy a pic card or pcmcia card to provide you with one.

But out of the box you should just be able to connect to the web interface -- should you not? I see nothing in the docs about having to enable the web interface, etc.

By default the management IP would be using dhcp, so it will IP from your dhcp server - and then just connect a machine to any one of its switch ports -- they all default to vlan1 and you should be able to call up its web interface to manage it.

[suicide_pact]

For my work I have to use RS 232 & RS 422 commands via a 9 pin port. What we use are KEYSPAN USB to Serial adapters. They include drivers for Windows and Mac, but you'll have to search for Linux, but they do exist.

[GreenMartian]

We got heaps of USB to RS232 converters down here at the office. They cost only AU$15 at the nearest shop. A PCI Serial interface is $16, and PCMCIA is $49 (wtf!)

[Bgnn32]

Not all the USB adapter properly emulate a terminal, so be careful with what ones you get.

[modem]

I got a usb to rs232 adapter that does do successful emulation. Thanks all!!