cisco 2900 XL Switch

[sirous-ccnp]

Hi

I inherited a 2900 XL switch, I tried to connect to it through console cable but unsuccessful !

When it boots up it works fine and goes through the right sequence ! I use the hyperterminal bits per seconds 9600 , data bits 8, parity NONE , Stop bit 1 and Flow Xon ,Xoff ( Even I tried NONE ) but won't work !

Although all the ports are functioning I can not get in and see the config !

Can anyone tell me how I can connect to see the config or can config the terminal ? Can I do it using other means of connection !

Thanks

Sirous-ccnp

P.S Peter thanks for your reply it did not work though !

[kellycpp]

We hardly ever use the console port in talking to our 2926's, for example. These old horses require only an ethernet connection between the switch(VLAN1) and a NIC card on a PC and you can telnet, TFTP , et als if you have satisfying utilities (good telnet program, Client/Server versions of TFTP, etc.). We remotely manage a stack of 6 all without using the Console Port. I would worry at night if I thought my Console Port didn't work, though. I assume a 2900 XL will act similarly?

[Kevin Dorrell]

You say "When it boots up it works fine and goes through the right sequence ." Are you saying that you see the boot sequence on the console, but you cannot send to it?

As the other responder said, if you know its IP address, then you sould be able to get to it through telnet. But I appreciate you do need the console from time to time.

I have never had a problem with the console and hyperterminal, provided I use the correct cable. Cisco provide an RJ45-RJ45 rolled cable (8-1, 7-2, etc.) and a DB9-RJ45 adapter for your PC. (And also sometimes a DB25 adapter.)

Your hyperterminal settings are correct. I suppose you are using a good cable. The switch may have been set up to a different baud rate. If you get garbage on the hyperterminal during booting, then baud-rate is a pretty fair bet. In this case, just try different baud rates until you find the right one, then select the baud rate you want to use by changing the config register.

Just a last comment, I read a posting by someone that had a box that was putting out the right stuff during the boot sequence, but which had a damaged input to the console port - so that is also possible.

Hope this is useful.

Kevin Dorrell

Luxembourg

[sirous-ccnp]

Thanks for your reply!

By right sequence i mean it goes all port's light on then port one light goes off ,then 2 and 3,4, son on.

The console cable is working fine as I can connect to

other console port. The IP address is not set ! (see that runnning CDP ! ) .

regards

Sirous-ccnp

[Kevin Dorrell]

If the console cable works fine with hyperterminal to other Cisco devices, and you don't get garbage out on your hyperterminal when you boot the switch, then I would say the chances are that the console port on the switch is broken. I don't know of any difference between the console port on the 2900XL and that on any other Cisco device.

Sorry for that unwelcome diagnosis!

Kevin Dorrell

Luxembourg

[scottmac]

If you're using HyperTerm on a WIN9x-based PC, try another terminal program. Earlier versions of HyperTerm were pretty flakey.

Google for "PuTTY" and download it (it's free).

PuTTY is a pretty reliable term program, and you get the benefit that it also handles SSH.

If you have a second COM port, try using it.

You should be using a flat cable (i.e., if you're using a Cat5 Jumper cable, it won't work without changing the order of the wires).

The flat cable should be "rolled" ... meaning that from one end to the other the pin count is exactly reversed (pin 1 on one end goes to pin 8 on the other, pin2 goes to pin 7, pin 3 goes to pin 6, etc...).

Do you have another serial device (like an external modem) that you can use to verify whether the problem is the PC/COM port or the router?

Check it out and let us know ....

FWIW

Scott

[sirous-ccnp]

Thanks for your comments Scott,

I have tried different cable ! no joy ! I used XP and Win 2000 with hyperterminal !

Some one told me there is sequence to get the switch back , during boot up by pressing the mode key and hold it down for 15 secs? any body know anything about that ? the switch is 2924 24 ports XL !

sirous-ccnp

[milan.kulik]

Hi,

you probably mean the password recovery procedure:

http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/474/pswdrec_2900xl.pdf

Regards,

Milan