Wired Intelligent Edge

 View Only
Back to discussions
Expand all | Collapse all

Cable for AOS-CX switch console and serial console server

This thread has been viewed 187 times

  • 1.  Cable for AOS-CX switch console and serial console server

    Posted Feb 18, 2022 08:15 AM
    Edited by rlillqvist Feb 20, 2022 04:38 AM

    Hi,

    I'm having a hard time when trying to identify which type of a cable is required to connect AOS-CX switch (6000-6300) and serial console server / RJ45 (Raritan Dominion SX II / DSX2-32). Tested some USB-C to RJ45 and USB-A to RJ-45 but with no success.

    If I have understood right, the console server should be connected to the switch USB-A / AUX and not the USB-C / console port?

    Maybe someone knows and could share information of exact cable type that is required and verified to work (type/model, manufacturer, part number etc.)?


    ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Roy Lillqvist | ACSX #1421 | CCIE(RS) #38597
    ---------------------------------------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Cable for AOS-CX switch console and serial console server

    Posted Feb 19, 2022 08:17 AM
    Edited by JorchRock67 Feb 19, 2022 08:18 AM

    Now I could be very wrong but USB-A port is for external storage and usb-c is for console...

    I have used only usb-c cable and for my Serial-program Needs 115200bps 8/n/1 console speed to have successful connection.

    Edit: and cable I'm using is "normal" 1.5m Otterbox  usb-c -> usb-c cable.

    ------------------------------
    Jori Luoto
    ------------------------------


  • 3.  RE: Cable for AOS-CX switch console and serial console server

    Posted Feb 19, 2022 02:52 PM
    See this thread:
    https://community.arubanetworks.com/community-home/digestviewer/viewthread?GroupId=25&MessageKey=10684d91-61f7-47e4-bb19-ffd8da50bc6b&CommunityKey=22dc38ea-a1e1-4059-b55e-a622fedecf32&tab=digestviewer

    Use the USB A port and a rollover cable/adapter.

    ------------------------------
    Evan Ziemann
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Cable for AOS-CX switch console and serial console server

    Posted Feb 19, 2022 07:02 PM
    Depend of which ports your Console server have :

    Console Server=>Switch:
    RJ45/rs232 serial adapter => rs232/usb-A (like a cisco switch on your computer but inverted) 
    or
    usb-C => usb-C 
    or
    usb-A => usb-C

    But it sucks the 6000CX's does not have RJ45 serial ports likes the 8000CX.. usb is not a reliable connexion for datacenter.

    ------------------------------
    Laurent TYGREAT
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Cable for AOS-CX switch console and serial console server

    Posted Feb 20, 2022 04:45 AM
    Edited by rlillqvist Feb 20, 2022 05:20 AM
    Thanks to everyone.

    (@JorchRock67: I am seeking a USB - RJ45 serial cable.)

    According to the link Evan provided a cable with chipsets FT231X / PL3202 should work.
    There is also mention that USB-A should be used.


    My observations:

    Raritan has autodetection.
    When connecting example 2530 console to Raritan using RJ45 - RJ45, Raritan autodetects its role as DCE.

    I have now successfully connected 6100 USB-A / AUX to Raritan / RJ45 using combination:

    "Cisco Serial Cable RJ45-DB9" + "DB-9 USB 2.0 to Serial 9-Pin RS-232 Converter Cable"
    Converter cable has FTDI chipset (not sure of exact chip version).
    https://ftdichip.com/products/us232r-10-bulk/

    Raritan autodetects the port role as DTE and console access works just fine.

    Example this did not work of the converters I tested: 
    https://www.aten.com/eu/en/products/usb-&-thunderbolt/usb-converters/uc232a/

    I am primary looking for part/order number for "one-cable" solution that can be applied between Console server (Raritan) and AOS-CX (models 6000 - 6300). 


    Example this should have the suggested FT231X-chip: https://www.amazon.com/Tekit-Cisco-Router-Console-Cable/dp/B07CV9GJM8
    Has someone maybe verified if this cable works on this use-case?
    (I assume that there are 6000-6300 series used in such a critical environments where an emergency console access is required... and hoping that someone has already figured out a 100% working cable :-) )

    ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Roy Lillqvist | ACSX #1421 | CCIE(RS) #38597
    ---------------------------------------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Cable for AOS-CX switch console and serial console server

    Posted Feb 20, 2022 05:36 PM
    Edited by Holger Hasenaug Feb 20, 2022 05:42 PM

    Meanwhile there is a cable available from Aruba:

    (R8Z87A)  Aruba USB-A to RJ45 PIN3TX-6RX Cable

    R8Z87A is wired so that the RJ45 plug presents Pin3 as a TX  (connects to the TermServer wired with Pin3=RX) and Pin6=RX to connect to a Pin6=TX

    The USB-A to RJ45 cable is 2.5m/8.2ft long

    I can also recommend the following combination:

    - https://www.aten.com/global/en/products/usb-&-thunderbolt/usb-converters/uc232b/
    - https://www.startech.com/en-us/cables/rollover



    ------------------------------
    Holger Hasenaug
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Cable for AOS-CX switch console and serial console server

    Posted Feb 21, 2022 05:07 AM
    Edited by rlillqvist Feb 21, 2022 06:17 AM
    Thanks Holger!

    I had totally overlooked the switch datasheet as a source of this kind of accessories.
    Great to know that an "original" Aruba cable is available, I will try to get my hands on to one and test it.


    ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Roy Lillqvist | ACSX #1421 | CCIE(RS) #38597
    ---------------------------------------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Cable for AOS-CX switch console and serial console server

    Posted May 03, 2022 03:07 AM
    Edited by rlillqvist May 03, 2022 03:16 AM
    Just to give a status update:

    • "(R8Z87A) Aruba USB-A to RJ45 PIN3TX-6RX Cable" - Local distributor has ordered these cables (but so far has not been able to provide availability information).

    • Following is verified to work: "DriverGenius USB RJ45 Cisco Console Cable FTDI Chip - USB RS232/DB9 to RJ45 Console" 
    https://www.amazon.de/dp/B08NWPY8DQ/ref=pe_27091401_487024491_TE_item

    ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Roy Lillqvist | ACSX #1421 | CCIE(RS) #38597
    ---------------------------------------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: Cable for AOS-CX switch console and serial console server

    Posted Jun 09, 2022 01:08 PM
    Hello rlillqvist,

    can you give us a feedback to this topic?
    Works the "(R8Z87A) Aruba USB-A to RJ45 PIN3TX-6RX Cable" from Aruba too?

    Thank you!
    Original Message


  • 10.  RE: Cable for AOS-CX switch console and serial console server

    Posted Jun 10, 2022 12:43 AM
    Edited by rlillqvist Jun 10, 2022 12:43 AM
    Hi DPongratz3,

    Unfortunately I have not been able to test R8Z87A. Local availability of R8Z87A has not changed (distributor has not yet received these cables). But I assume it works, since it is Aruba product.

    ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Roy Lillqvist | ACSX #1421 | CCIE(RS) #38597
    ---------------------------------------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 11.  RE: Cable for AOS-CX switch console and serial console server

    Posted Jun 09, 2022 01:08 PM
    Hello rlillqvist,

    can you please give a feedback about this topic?
    Works the "(R8Z87A) Aruba USB-A to RJ45 PIN3TX-6RX Cable" from Aruba too?

    Thank you!
    Original Message


  • 12.  RE: Cable for AOS-CX switch console and serial console server

    Posted Dec 14, 2022 03:04 AM
    Finally got cables "(R8Z87A) Aruba USB-A to RJ45 PIN3TX-6RX". Verified to work with "Raritan Dominion SX II / DSX2-32". "Equipment Type" must be set to "Force DCE".  

    ------------------------------
    Roy Lillqvist | ACSX #1421 | CCIE(RS) #38597
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 13.  RE: Cable for AOS-CX switch console and serial console server

    Posted Apr 22, 2024 11:57 AM

    I know this thread is a couple years old, but I was facing the same issue and I figured it out. First off, we had bought some cheap USB-to-RJ45 serial cables on Amazon that all worked fine with our Raritan SX II console servers. Set the baud rate to 115200 and it all worked great. So there is that.

    In our last batch of switches we bought the genuine HPE R8Z87A cables, thinking it would be a more reliable, supported solution going forward. Upon plugging them in, though, I got nothing. Plug in the cheap cable, works fine. I went in to the port configuration in the Raritan and change "Equipment Type" to "Force DCE" and then it started working. Apparently, if the end device also supports auto-detection of hardware type then the Raritan's auto-detection won't work. My theory is that the cheap Amazon cables are far more basic and don't pass the auto-detection command from the switch. 


    Original Message


Related Content