Console access through the RJ45 Jack

Question

On the 9210 is it possible that when not in use for ethernet that you could use the RJ45 jack as a serial interface for making configuration changes and interacting with the unit? An example of this would be using a standard cisco console cable to connect from the serial interface on your computer then interfacing via RJ45 to the digi's port. I am sure that I have worked with an AP that did this but I can't for the life of me find it. So I figured I would ask.

Thanks,
Josh

Answer 1

Hi,

It is possible to redirect the standard console output to the ethernet port rather than the serial port, but the output is ethernet not serial.

This uses the udpdb driver; you need
#define BSP_INCLUDE_UDP_DEBUG_DRIVER TRUE
set in bsp_drivers.h
and
#define BSP_STDIO_PORT "/udpdb/0"
in bsp_sys.h

The effect of this is to route all standard printf output to the ethernet port.

You then need the "udpdb" utility (in the "C:\netos74\src\utilities\udpdb" directory) to monitor the output.

This is only an output channel, but it may be helpfull for what you need

Answer 2

If you're not talking about using udp as mentioned above, then no, you can't use the Ethernet connector as a serial interface, it's physically not wired up to be a serial port.

Answer 3

Thanks for the replies. I am curios though. We use Cat5 all the time to extend RS232 signal. Both are 8 Wire. Could I not somehow wire the serial interface to the correct pin placement on the Ethernet jack? I do not want both serial and Ethernet at the same time just one or the other.

Essentially I am trying to avoid putting a stand alone serial interface on the outside of my product to control the digi interface.

Any thoughts or blatantly honest comments about what a dumb idea this is woudl be great

Josh