2960L RJ45 console port Issue

[mnorvalls]

Hello all,

This may be a dumb question, but I have a 48 port 2960L switch that I cannot get the RJ45 console connection working on.

The USB console port works just fine, and I have even disabled it by going into "line console 0" and setting "media-type rj45". I can see the serial output up to this point on the rj45 connection, but input will not work. I make sure to not have both the USB and rj45 connected at the same time as well. 

Anyone have ideas as to why this would be? thanks!

[balaji.bandi]

How do you configure and manage the Cisco Catalyst 2960-L?

The Catalyst 2960-L smart managed switch can only be configured and managed via the on-box Web UI. The Catalyst 2960-L fixed managed switch can be configured and managed via the GUI or with the CLI using the console port (RJ 45 or USB type B)

here is quick start Guide ( as long as you have right cable it should work)

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/lan/catalyst2960l/hardware/quick/guide/b_gsg_2960l.html

[joseph.h.nguyen]

This is the link regarding about RJ45 Console Port, https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/lan/catalyst2960l/hardware/installation/guide/b_c2960l_24_48_hig/b_c2960xr_hig_appendix_0111.html.

I questioned your console cable, driver if applicable, and putty setting.  If you have consoled to another Cisco device, it means your cable, driver and putty are working.  So, I would try to factory reset it to start over if it does not impact anything.

[mnorvalls]

I have factory reset the switch and tried again, all to no avail. I used the exact configuration settings for serial as listed in the cisco instructions. Would it really be a cable issue if I can see the output from the CLI but just cant input to it?

Because of this issue, once I set media-type to rj45 as in the instructions, there is no way for me to control the switch aafter that command. The USB serial is disabled and the rj45 still does not allow input.

[joseph.h.nguyen]

It could be a hardware issue.  Each pin of the DB9 is one way flow.  You probably can receive output but you can't send input due to broken physical connection.  You can see an alternate solution to check if it is a hardware problem, https://community.cisco.com/t5/switching/console-port-not-working/td-p/2431028/page/2.

FYI, this is how DB9 to RJ45 pinned out, http://www.fixya.com/support/t2710795-need_pinout_serial_cable_rj45.  Is your switch new, used, or refurbished? 

[paul driver]

Hello

does that switch have a AUX port if so try plugging into that and test