EdrickI aspire to tell the story of a lifetime Premium Member join:2004-09-11 San Diego, CA |
Edrick
Premium Member
2014-Sep-23 12:18 am
How often do you use Serial?So how often do you find yourselves as admins using serial still? I'm considering getting a Bluetooth / WiFi Serial Adapter so I can use my iPad / iPhone / Laptop with serial devices. But more and more devices I need to get into, to configure are using IP wether it's on the Automation side of things or say Cisco Meraki etc... But what do you find are a lot of new devices still using ol trusty Serial? |
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nightdesignsGone missing, back soon Premium Member join:2002-05-31 AZ |
I still use it a lot for serial control of A/V devices from AMX centralized controllers, but outside that, pretty much nada. Most of those are going IP based control now as well. I will say, at times the basically and play of rs232 is very nice. It works or it doesn't, not much else to check. |
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VeloslaveGeek For God Premium Member join:2003-07-11 Martinez, CA |
to Edrick
Switches, routers, servers, SANS, Utility boxes like SPAM or content filters... when stuff goes wrong sometimes, nothing replaces the good old Putty and a serial cable. I have a nice USB model that works with everything... Mac, old PC, new PC, surface pro with 8.1 and sooner or later... you need it and there is rarely a replacement. |
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tubbynetreminds me of the danse russe MVM join:2008-01-16 Gilbert, AZ |
to Edrick
said by Edrick:So how often do you find yourselves as admins using serial still? nearly every day. regardless of whether this is the trusty usb-to-serial adapter -- or via some sort of terminal server for completely oob access during disruptive upgrades, etc. i have a pair of usb-to-serials from sfcable that i carry in my bag, regardless of where i go. i also have an 8p8c coupler from radioshack that completely rolls the pins -- so i don't need to carry any special cables. i have my cisco terminal adapter and my coupler -- and i can make any length rollover cable for cisco, etc. with two straight patch cables. tl;dr -- carry some sort of serial with you and *make sure it works on your system as soon as you get it*. having it and never needing it is better than not having it while the world melts down around you. but please, make sure you have it working before you take it anywhere -- nothing i love to laugh at more than new admins/engineers who can't make a usb-to-serial work on their laptop. q. |
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Wily_One Premium Member join:2002-11-24 San Jose, CA |
Wily_One
Premium Member
2014-Sep-23 2:34 am
said by tubbynet: but please, make sure you have it working before you take it anywhere Yup. Recently I had to connect to some old Catalyst switches. Since I hadn't used it in a while I not only double-checked I had the driver installed for my USB-serial adapter and that it was still configured properly (just in case the COM port got changed), I verified I could actually get console with it before I went to the data center. OP: Still lots of older gear around, and since they don't build laptops with righteous serial ports anymore an adapater is a must-have item for your toolbox (aka laptop bag). |
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exocet_cmWriting Premium Member join:2003-03-23 Brooklyn, NY |
to Edrick
Switches on a regular basis. Regardless of how new the switch is it seems that a lot of them still need the initial config via serial. |
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ke4pym Premium Member join:2004-07-24 Charlotte, NC |
to Edrick
Every so often. Load balancers and NTP clocks especially like the first few bits of setup done over serial/USB.
Things are moving away from it. Our Google Search Appliances, for example (which seem to fail a lot) want their initial setup done via IP. You plug a cable into the orange port. Set your IP to the default range for the management interface and setup the first little bit. Then you're done. Manage it over the production interface.
For awhile there, I was working with old serial based systems and I got to pull down their database of files using Zmodem! Woowoo! |
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BranoI hate Vogons MVM join:2002-06-25 Burlington, ON |
to Edrick
Quite often mainly as consoles for various network gear (i.e. routers, switches, AP, NAS, ...) and also for firmware flashing to various specialized HW (i.e. controllers, radios, thermostats, ...) |
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LazMan Premium Member join:2003-03-26 Beverly Hills, CA |
to Edrick
Weekly, at a minimum...
A lot of 'supporting' equipment in the network world (DC power plants, generator controllers, automation and monitoring equipment, etc) still talks serial... |
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tubbynetreminds me of the danse russe MVM join:2008-01-16 Gilbert, AZ |
said by LazMan:still talks serial and i can't see that changing any time soon. even some of the newer cisco campus switches have a "mini-usb" port on them that you can cable directly. its still a "serial" connection -- just done over a medium that is more acceptable to modern laptop design. fwiw -- my work laptop (hp 8570) has a serial port on it. i still use some cheap-o usb-to-serial adapters because (a) they work and (b) i carry other (ifruit) laptops that don't have a serial connection. plus -- i have like (4) of them and i can handle four devices at once. makes repetitive tasks very easy. q. |
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NightfallMy Goal Is To Deny Yours MVM join:2001-08-03 Grand Rapids, MI |
to Edrick
I have a usb serial adapter and that works very well for me. I probably only pull it out once every two months or so and that is for configuring a cisco router, switch, SAN, or some other piece of equipment. I don't do it that often, but this USB adapter is very nice. |
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applerule Premium Member join:2012-12-23 Northeast TN (Software) pfSense ARRIS SB6183 Asus RT-N66
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to Edrick
Daily...I work in retail...most of our locations still have all serial peripherals. We are having a hard time buying new machines with 4 serial ports. We are actually adding 2x PCI-E serial cards to our new machines that go into locations that are still on all serial peripherals. We now do USB receipt printers and have just starting to transition to power-over-usb scanner/scales, but we still have serial credit card pin pads everywhere.
From the admin side, most of us (at my employer) still carry serial adapters for cisco equipment and network UPS programming. |
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chip89 Premium Member join:2012-07-05 Columbia Station, OH |
to Edrick
Not anymore.. Usually USB. |
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EdrickI aspire to tell the story of a lifetime Premium Member join:2004-09-11 San Diego, CA |
Edrick
Premium Member
2014-Sep-23 8:48 pm
I'm looking at getting one of these » www.get-console.com/shop ··· nsole-20 |
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sk1939 Premium Member join:2010-10-23 Frederick, MD ARRIS SB8200 Ubiquiti UDM-Pro Juniper SRX320
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sk1939
Premium Member
2014-Sep-24 3:09 am
Ah Bluetooth, just when you think you can't have enough things to go wrong with wireless, you add a multi-version stack. I'm with tubby, the most useful things are either a built in serial port, or USB to serial for day to day network stuff. A lot of the devices do have built in IP interfaces (like the big C6k's) but most require initial config to be done via serial. The biggest time serial comes in handy is when IOS/JUNOS gets corrupted, or something breaks and the only access is through ROMMON/loader>. |
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VeloslaveGeek For God Premium Member join:2003-07-11 Martinez, CA |
to Edrick
FWIW... I would keep it a bit more simple than that. One thing about when you DO use it...? You NEED it. You don't want to worry about batteries or wireless performance/trustworthiness. KISS |
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EdrickI aspire to tell the story of a lifetime Premium Member join:2004-09-11 San Diego, CA |
Edrick
Premium Member
2014-Sep-25 12:57 am
I'll report back on how it works. I have a regular USB one but I'm looking for something a bit more convenient. My problem is I don't always have a laptop with me or in a position where I feel like standing by the rack or equipment. I like this as I can access it remotely over the Internet or remote support can access it or I can access it from a desk near by if it's going to be a while. I can access it via my iPhone and iPad too |
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sk1939 Premium Member join:2010-10-23 Frederick, MD ARRIS SB8200 Ubiquiti UDM-Pro Juniper SRX320
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sk1939
Premium Member
2014-Sep-25 4:20 am
said by Edrick:I'll report back on how it works. I have a regular USB one but I'm looking for something a bit more convenient. My problem is I don't always have a laptop with me or in a position where I feel like standing by the rack or equipment. I like this as I can access it remotely over the Internet or remote support can access it or I can access it from a desk near by if it's going to be a while. I can access it via my iPhone and iPad too Any old terminal server can do that. Many on EBay are cheaper than that thing to boot. |
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EdrickI aspire to tell the story of a lifetime Premium Member join:2004-09-11 San Diego, CA |
Edrick
Premium Member
2014-Sep-25 10:56 am
Ive never seen a field device thats "older" that can do what this can do? I say this as I never have and it's the thing that came up in my search. But I am open to suggestions! So if you could link me up to a comparable device as to what this can do for field work that'd be great. |
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tubbynetreminds me of the danse russe MVM join:2008-01-16 Gilbert, AZ |
with a spare linux box, a bunch of usb-to-serial adapters, and some hubs -- you can roll your own console server. i made one for my lab for about $60. and i can control 15 devices.
q. |
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EdrickI aspire to tell the story of a lifetime Premium Member join:2004-09-11 San Diego, CA |
Edrick
Premium Member
2014-Sep-25 1:34 pm
I'm looking for a field device, something I can go on site with climb up into the catwalks of a place where there's a serial device (I do A/V work in Theaters etc...) plug the dongle into the serial port then go sit somewhere to work on it.
Not looking to control a bunch of systems from an IT office, looking to control them as a field tech. |
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tubbynetreminds me of the danse russe MVM join:2008-01-16 Gilbert, AZ |
said by Edrick:I'm looking for a field device, something I can go on site with climb up into the catwalks of a place where there's a serial device (I do A/V work in Theaters etc...) plug the dongle into the serial port then go sit somewhere to work on it. understood. there are guys that i work with that use bluetooth usb-to-serials that they've made themselves using battery packs, etc. i dunno. i've always been terribly old school. thats why i carry my coupler. i can take (2) long cat5e cables and daisy them together and sit several hundred feet away if i need to. i always carry long cables with me. if i'm sitting somewhere uncomfortable -- it forces me to move every now and then to make sure that i don't suffer from repetitive stress injuries, etc. as with anything -- if you can justify the need for it -- get it. i don't have a strong need for anything more than usb-to-serial (and i'm incredibly cheap) -- so i stick with what works for me. q. |
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nightdesignsGone missing, back soon Premium Member join:2002-05-31 AZ 1 edit |
to Edrick
said by Edrick:I'm looking for a field device, something I can go on site with climb up into the catwalks of a place where there's a serial device (I do A/V work in Theaters etc...) plug the dongle into the serial port then go sit somewhere to work on it. Ah, I can relate to that. I've had good success with RS232 over IP and they now make RS232 over IP via wi-fi. Startech has some devices such as this: » www.startech.com/Network ··· S232485WI've used the non-wifi version of this and had good success: » lavalink.com/products/et ··· 232-db9/Also check out the offerings at GridConnect. They offer many solutions that may work for you. There are wireless (not wi-fi) connection options as well. Finally, you can just go low tech with RS232 to CAT5 converters and a long ethernet cable. You should be able to hit about 300 feet with that route. |
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exocet_cmWriting Premium Member join:2003-03-23 Brooklyn, NY |
to Edrick
Which USB to Serial do you guys recommend? I had a problem with mine this past weekend and I think it is because it is wearing out. |
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tubbynetreminds me of the danse russe MVM join:2008-01-16 Gilbert, AZ |
said by exocet_cm:Which USB to Serial do you guys recommend? I had a problem with mine this past weekend and I think it is because it is wearing out. i use the cheapy ones from sfcable.com. they are like $14/each -- and use the pl2303 chipset -- so they are universal across platforms (i use it in mac, windows, and linux). at $14 -- they are cheap enough that if you lose/break one -- its not a huge issue. q. |
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WireHeadI drive to fast Premium Member join:2001-05-09 Muncie, IN |
to Edrick
I'm tardy to the party but I also use it every day. I literally could not get along without an adapter or interface being handy. I have everything from all the typical networking gear you would find plus CNC machines, optical vision systems, scientific analyzers, test stations.. you name it. Tons of touch pads and LCD screens around the plant. |
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EdrickI aspire to tell the story of a lifetime Premium Member join:2004-09-11 San Diego, CA |
Edrick
Premium Member
2014-Sep-29 10:00 pm
Well the unit came in today and got to say so far glad I got it. I love the fact that i can just plug it in to the device and connect over WiFi, Bluetooth, Ethernet to it. It also functions as a charging battery pack for any USB device with its built in battery. Also cool is that it can pickup a WiFi Signal and I can use it as a bridge and connect to its ethernet port to connect a wired device over WiFi or vice versa connect ethernet to it and make it an Access Point. |
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Wily_One Premium Member join:2002-11-24 San Jose, CA |
Wily_One
Premium Member
2014-Sep-30 12:45 am
said by Edrick:Also cool is that it can pickup a WiFi Signal and I can use it as a bridge and connect to its ethernet port to connect a wired device over WiFi or vice versa connect ethernet to it and make it an Access Point. Uhhh, security! |
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EdrickI aspire to tell the story of a lifetime Premium Member join:2004-09-11 San Diego, CA |
Edrick
Premium Member
2014-Sep-30 1:32 am
What about security? |
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