How to console into 2960 switch?

[MicJameson1]

Hello.

I am unable to console into a 2960x switch.

-This switch has no IP-addresses configured.
-There is no serial console port.
-I don't have a mini-USB cable.
-There is an RJ45 console port on the lower left corner of the front.

-I have a USB-to-RJ45 console cable. I downloaded driver Cisco_usbconsole_driver_3_1, then connected my workstation with the USB side, and the RJ45 side to the console port. (I don't know if this is serial emulation technology.) Putty config:

COM1
speed: 9600
data bits: 8
stop bits: 1
no parity
flow control: xon xoff

I've tried various other putty configs besides serial because I don't know how this RJ45 console technology works.

This link seemed like it would be helpful, yet has not succeeded for me....
https://www.reddit.com/r/Cisco/comments/emggzl/logging_into_a_catalyst_2960x_series_switch/

May you please help?

Thank you.

[balaji.bandi]

Check this console cable port -

try  - flow control: xon xoff  ( to none)

Is this a new or used one? 

Check is the SWITCH booted as expected with LED :

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/lan/catalyst2960x/hardware/installation/guide/b_c2960x_hig/b_c2960x_hig_chapter_01.html

if the system LED green - you should see some console messages.

[MicJameson1]

This is an active production switch.

There are no lights illuminating at all on the console port.
I confirmed that both ends of the cable are firmly seated in the ports.
When I try to log in with flow control: xon xoff  ( to none), I receive the same error...

"Unable to open connection to COM1
Opening '\\.\COM1': Error2: The system cannot find the file specified."

[balaji.bandi]

This is an active production switch.  - so is this switch working as expected ? then you can do SSH if you know the IP address, or you don't know that information ?

ok - when you connect the USB cable to PC, (in the corner right bottom it will tell you what com  port it has allocated) 

or you can go settings - Bluetooth& other device, it will show you what com port for this USB (I am sure its not com1)

There are no lights illuminating at all on the console port.  - I do not believe console port you see the any LED

I am asking about the SYSTEM LED ?

[Leo Laohoo · Accepted solution]

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@MicJameson1 wrote:
"Unable to open connection to COM1
Opening '\\.\COM1': Error2: The system cannot find the file specified."

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Try different COM ports.

Use Device Manager to determine which port the computer has assigned the USB-to-Serial cable to.

[Leo Laohoo]

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@MicJameson1 wrote:
I have a USB-to-RJ45 console cable.

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There is also a mini-USB console port.  There is no need to buy a Cisco specific USB Type-A to min-USB.  Any USB Type-A to min-USB will do.