Hi all, DB9 ports seem to be a nearly extinct feature on laptops. Any suggestions on a cheap laptop for use in field support (with an onboard DB9)? Thanks, Max
Get a cheap usb--serial converter. Check amazon for trend usb rs-232 db9 serial converter, tu-s9. Then you can just use whatever laptop. --p -----Original Message----- From: NANOG [mailto:nanog-bounces@nanog.org] On Behalf Of Max Clark Sent: Monday, November 10, 2014 2:39 PM To: nanog@nanog.org Subject: [EXTERNAL]Tech Laptop with DB9 Hi all, DB9 ports seem to be a nearly extinct feature on laptops. Any suggestions on a cheap laptop for use in field support (with an onboard DB9)? Thanks, Max
On 10/11/14 12:53, Darden, Patrick wrote:
Get a cheap usb--serial converter. Check amazon for trend usb rs-232 db9 serial converter, tu-s9. Then you can just use whatever laptop.
I've seen some cheap RS-232 converters fail with some devices. I was last bitten by one that just refused to work with Cisco Aironet APs 2600. I can't say if it was the device or the driver. I never knew what the problem ultimately was. Using a different model or brand worked. Just to have the precaution. O.
I had a cheap one. Worked great but never worked on Windows 7 This is the one I recommend. http://www.amazon.com/Manhattan-Serial-Converter-Connects-205146/dp/B0007OWN... On 11/10/2014 12:53 PM, Darden, Patrick wrote:
Get a cheap usb--serial converter. Check amazon for trend usb rs-232 db9 serial converter, tu-s9. Then you can just use whatever laptop.
--p
-----Original Message----- From: NANOG [mailto:nanog-bounces@nanog.org] On Behalf Of Max Clark Sent: Monday, November 10, 2014 2:39 PM To: nanog@nanog.org Subject: [EXTERNAL]Tech Laptop with DB9
Hi all,
DB9 ports seem to be a nearly extinct feature on laptops. Any suggestions on a cheap laptop for use in field support (with an onboard DB9)?
Thanks, Max
If you are able to carry a USB cable I've actually found that these work PERFECTLY: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004ETETZK I've never had an issue, I currently have an OOB console server set up with the 4 head version of this and haven't had an issue. They're rock solid. -- Kate -----Original Message----- From: NANOG [mailto:nanog-bounces@nanog.org] On Behalf Of Max Clark Sent: Monday, November 10, 2014 12:39 PM To: nanog@nanog.org Subject: Tech Laptop with DB9 Hi all, DB9 ports seem to be a nearly extinct feature on laptops. Any suggestions on a cheap laptop for use in field support (with an onboard DB9)? Thanks, Max
On Mon, 10 Nov 2014, Max Clark wrote:
DB9 ports seem to be a nearly extinct feature on laptops. Any suggestions on a cheap laptop for use in field support (with an onboard DB9)?
You might be able to pick up something like an old Dell Latitute D800 series pretty cheaply. Built-in RS232 serial ports are very tough to find on current laptops, however USB serial drivers have come a long way in the last several years, depending on your OS. jms
On 2014-11-10 21:55, Justin M. Streiner wrote:
On Mon, 10 Nov 2014, Max Clark wrote:
DB9 ports seem to be a nearly extinct feature on laptops. Any suggestions on a cheap laptop for use in field support (with an onboard DB9)?
My HP EliteBook 8570p has a DB9 port. (I bought it last year, so it may still be available.) When I searched for notebooks with DB9 port last year, I also found 2 models by fujitsu-siemens and some in the "rugged"/outdoor sector. (Depends on what you call cheap, though). Sorry, the links are in German, mostly. HTH, jutta http://de.fujitsu.com/ps2/aktionsmodelle/g/notebooks/e782.html http://business.panasonic.de/computerloesungen/panasonic-computer-product-so... http://www.durabook.com/en/compare2.php?no=88&return_link=product.php%3Fno%3D88
On Mon, Nov 10, 2014 at 12:39:02PM -0800, Max Clark wrote:
DB9 ports seem to be a nearly extinct feature on laptops. Any suggestions on a cheap laptop for use in field support (with an onboard DB9)?
Might be easier to get an "Aten UC232A" converter to do USB<>DB9, you are right that DB9 directly on laptops is a dying breed. Do you have a specific application that would prohibit the use of USB? Kind regards, Job
On Mon, Nov 10, 2014 at 12:57:49PM -0800, Max Clark wrote:
On Mon, Nov 10, 2014 at 12:55 PM, Job Snijders <job@instituut.net> wrote:
Do you have a specific application that would prohibit the use of USB?
It's purely for convenience and forgetfulness.
Cable ties. They're my forget-me-not. - Matt -- "Alas, slideware often reduces the analytical quality of presentations. In particular, the popular PowerPoint templates (ready-made designs) usually weaken verbal and spatial reasoning, and almost always corrupt statistical analysis." -- http://www.edwardtufte.com/tufte/books_pp
On Mon, Nov 10, 2014 at 10:39 PM, Max Clark <max.clark@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi all,
DB9 ports seem to be a nearly extinct feature on laptops. Any suggestions on a cheap laptop for use in field support (with an onboard DB9)?
You can look at older Dell Latitudes such as D620 or any Prolific based USB-to-Serial adapter (If running those on Windows, you can set the driver so that it will report the same COM port even if it's plugged in different USB ports).
On 11/10/2014 03:59 PM, Eugeniu Patrascu wrote:
Prolific based USB-to-Serial adapter
Anecodotally, I recommend against Prolific-based solutions. While doing some embedded dev work, I quite unintentionally found a specific data pattern that would reliably get corrupted by the Prolific cable I had. After several hours of debugging my software, finally resorting to a 'scope to verify that the data on the line was correct, I chucked it in the trash after I found that it worked fine with my 1st-party FTDI cable. Probably should have kept it and tried to isolate a minimal test case, but meh. 1st party FTDI cables can be had with bare wire ends on them. With a little effort, you can crimp an 8P8C directly on and have yourself a Cisco-style cable that's very reliable and includes traffic indicator lights in the USB molded housing. I think you can also get them pre-wired to DE9 connectors. They've got RS-485 and RS-422 options, too. I buy them from Digi-Key - not the cheapest place by any means, but you know for sure that they're real. I've had good luck with FTDI on all OSes. No drivers needed on (modern) Linux, and the drivers are easy to work with on all versions of Windows that I've used with them (XP, 7). Dunno about MacOSX, but I think there's at least options. YMMV, of course. FTDI got in some hot water recently by intentionally bricking 3rd party clones of their stuff in a Windows driver update. -- Brandon Martin
ftdi chipsets work on both mac and windows devices. http://www.amazon.com/Serial-Console-Rollover-Cable-Routers/dp/B00M2SAKMG/ref=sr_1_16?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1415653377&sr=1-16&keywords=ftdi+serial On 11/10/14 10:39 AM, Max Clark wrote:
Hi all,
DB9 ports seem to be a nearly extinct feature on laptops. Any suggestions on a cheap laptop for use in field support (with an onboard DB9)?
Thanks, Max
On 11/10/2014 02:05 PM, joel jaeggli wrote:
ftdi chipsets work on both mac and windows devices.
I'd be careful with FTDI chipsets, you want to make sure you get the real chip. If they decide to move forward with bricking counterfeit chips, you'll be wasting your $$. --John
On 11/10/14 10:39 AM, Max Clark wrote:
Hi all,
DB9 ports seem to be a nearly extinct feature on laptops. Any suggestions on a cheap laptop for use in field support (with an onboard DB9)?
Thanks, Max
You mean like they did with the last driver update pushed via Windows Update? http://hackaday.com/2014/10/22/watch-that-windows-update-ftdi-drivers-are-ki... On 10 Nov 2014 23:32, "John Schiel" <jschiel@flowtools.net> wrote:
On 11/10/2014 02:05 PM, joel jaeggli wrote:
ftdi chipsets work on both mac and windows devices.
I'd be careful with FTDI chipsets, you want to make sure you get the real chip. If they decide to move forward with bricking counterfeit chips, you'll be wasting your $$.
--John
http://www.amazon.com/Serial-Console-Rollover-Cable- Routers/dp/B00M2SAKMG/ref=sr_1_16?s=electronics&ie=UTF8& qid=1415653377&sr=1-16&keywords=ftdi+serial
On 11/10/14 10:39 AM, Max Clark wrote:
Hi all,
DB9 ports seem to be a nearly extinct feature on laptops. Any suggestions on a cheap laptop for use in field support (with an onboard DB9)?
Thanks, Max
The bonus about the adapter that I linked is that they use legit chips. I went through the FTDI driver update without a problem. -----Original Message----- From: NANOG [mailto:nanog-bounces+kate=quadranet.com@nanog.org] On Behalf Of Bacon Zombie Sent: Monday, November 10, 2014 2:44 PM To: John Schiel Cc: nanog@nanog.org Subject: Re: Tech Laptop with DB9 You mean like they did with the last driver update pushed via Windows Update? http://hackaday.com/2014/10/22/watch-that-windows-update-ftdi-drivers-are-ki... On 10 Nov 2014 23:32, "John Schiel" <jschiel@flowtools.net> wrote:
On 11/10/2014 02:05 PM, joel jaeggli wrote:
ftdi chipsets work on both mac and windows devices.
I'd be careful with FTDI chipsets, you want to make sure you get the real chip. If they decide to move forward with bricking counterfeit chips, you'll be wasting your $$.
--John
http://www.amazon.com/Serial-Console-Rollover-Cable- Routers/dp/B00M2SAKMG/ref=sr_1_16?s=electronics&ie=UTF8& qid=1415653377&sr=1-16&keywords=ftdi+serial
On 11/10/14 10:39 AM, Max Clark wrote:
Hi all,
DB9 ports seem to be a nearly extinct feature on laptops. Any suggestions on a cheap laptop for use in field support (with an onboard DB9)?
Thanks, Max
On Mon, Nov 10, 2014 at 11:05:39AM -1000, joel jaeggli wrote:
ftdi chipsets work on both mac and windows devices.
As long as it's FTDI and not "FTDI"... - Matt -- "Once one has achieved full endarkenment, one is happy to have an entirely nonfunctional computer" -- Steve VanDevender, ASR
Also worth mentioning: in a pinch they work great on Android and BlackBerry (Z30) devices with USB OTG support.
From memory I believe both pl2303 and FTDI work.
Another laptop option is an ExpressCard to serial adapter: http://www.brainboxes.com/serial-expresscard Disclaimer: this was merely the first Google result. M. Original Message From: joel jaeggli Sent: Monday, November 10, 2014 16:19 To: Max Clark; nanog@nanog.org Subject: Re: Tech Laptop with DB9 ftdi chipsets work on both mac and windows devices. http://www.amazon.com/Serial-Console-Rollover-Cable-Routers/dp/B00M2SAKMG/ref=sr_1_16?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1415653377&sr=1-16&keywords=ftdi+serial On 11/10/14 10:39 AM, Max Clark wrote:
Hi all,
DB9 ports seem to be a nearly extinct feature on laptops. Any suggestions on a cheap laptop for use in field support (with an onboard DB9)?
Thanks, Max
If USB is banned, ask about expansion cards. The HP 650 G1 has a serial port, but it's not cheap. On 11/10/2014 12:39 PM, Max Clark wrote:
Hi all,
DB9 ports seem to be a nearly extinct feature on laptops. Any suggestions on a cheap laptop for use in field support (with an onboard DB9)?
Thanks, Max
We recently bought some HP 6570b laptops. They come standard with a DB9 in the back. On Mon, 10 Nov 2014, Max Clark wrote:
Date: Mon, 10 Nov 2014 12:39:02 -0800 From: Max Clark <max.clark@gmail.com> To: nanog@nanog.org Subject: Tech Laptop with DB9
Hi all,
DB9 ports seem to be a nearly extinct feature on laptops. Any suggestions on a cheap laptop for use in field support (with an onboard DB9)?
Thanks, Max
I have found Air Console to be amazing: http://www.get-console.com/airconsole/ I have one that comes with me in my bag everywhere. I also have purchased a couple of their 1.8M USB to Cisco Rollover Cables which include the USB to Serial converter in the USB Plug. The cable can be adapted to serial and null modem with the end adapters (may not work in every situation) The FDDI chip in these cables has strong driver availability across all OS’s and is also installed by default in some OS’s (including OS X - my personal preference for direct interaction machine) This way as long as you have USB ports and Wifi you have an awesome tool set. The Air Console can even bridge traffic for monitoring / wireshark over Wifi (obvious bandwidth limitations) so I really enjoy having it with me. Regards Alexander Alexander Neilson Neilson Productions Limited alexander@neilson.net.nz 021 329 681 022 456 2326
On 11/11/2014, at 9:39 am, Max Clark <max.clark@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi all,
DB9 ports seem to be a nearly extinct feature on laptops. Any suggestions on a cheap laptop for use in field support (with an onboard DB9)?
Thanks, Max
I want to reiterate on AirConsole because it IS amazing. I don't even grab a laptop when I go onsite anymore, just an AirConsole, its usb-serial cable and a tablet. Laptop can be a requirement if you need more than a serial, but using serial-over-wifi and a tablet is an incredible quality of life upgrade if you only need a quick reconfigure most of the time. Even if you have to use a laptop, it's so much better to not be attached to the rack so you can find a more comfortable place to work. Although it's kinda strange that Andoid app is free but IOS one isn't. Also I wish I could use their wifi as a simple bridge without its own DHCP while using a serial, it'd be even more nice for troubleshooting.
Another vote for AirConsole. I have the updated version that uses bluetooth so that I can use the WiFi at the same time. Works great. Our shop uses USB to Serial adapters, but we had to get ones with static protection. We move between multiple boxes (older PBX systems) and every so often we would have the adapter and/or OS lock up due to static. Never had problems since getting the new ones.
Stepan Kucherenko <mailto:twh@megagroup.ru> November 11, 2014 at 3:34 AM I want to reiterate on AirConsole because it IS amazing. I don't even grab a laptop when I go onsite anymore, just an AirConsole, its usb-serial cable and a tablet.
Laptop can be a requirement if you need more than a serial, but using serial-over-wifi and a tablet is an incredible quality of life upgrade if you only need a quick reconfigure most of the time.
Even if you have to use a laptop, it's so much better to not be attached to the rack so you can find a more comfortable place to work.
Although it's kinda strange that Andoid app is free but IOS one isn't. Also I wish I could use their wifi as a simple bridge without its own DHCP while using a serial, it'd be even more nice for troubleshooting.
Alexander Neilson <mailto:alexander@neilson.net.nz> November 10, 2014 at 3:11 PM I have found Air Console to be amazing:
http://www.get-console.com/airconsole/
I have one that comes with me in my bag everywhere.
I also have purchased a couple of their 1.8M USB to Cisco Rollover Cables which include the USB to Serial converter in the USB Plug. The cable can be adapted to serial and null modem with the end adapters (may not work in every situation)
The FDDI chip in these cables has strong driver availability across all OS’s and is also installed by default in some OS’s (including OS X - my personal preference for direct interaction machine)
This way as long as you have USB ports and Wifi you have an awesome tool set. The Air Console can even bridge traffic for monitoring / wireshark over Wifi (obvious bandwidth limitations) so I really enjoy having it with me.
Regards Alexander
Alexander Neilson Neilson Productions Limited
alexander@neilson.net.nz 021 329 681 022 456 2326
Max Clark <mailto:max.clark@gmail.com> November 10, 2014 at 2:39 PM Hi all,
DB9 ports seem to be a nearly extinct feature on laptops. Any suggestions on a cheap laptop for use in field support (with an onboard DB9)?
Thanks, Max
On Tue, Nov 11, 2014 at 12:34:23PM +0300, Stepan Kucherenko wrote:
I want to reiterate on AirConsole because it IS amazing. I don't even grab a laptop when I go onsite anymore, just an AirConsole, its usb-serial cable and a tablet.
My, that *is* a rather snazzy piece of kit. I'm almost sad that I don't really deal with serial console kit any more. *Almost*. - Matt -- Debian is geared towards building long-term stable systems; this really only comes at the expense of newbie user-friendliness. It's the same reason that building a treehouse is easy, but building a steel-reinforced-concrete bunker is hard. -- Don Werve
You can pick up an old toughbook on eBay that have serial ports for reasonable prices. Put in flash disk and run linux for a reasonable experience. But for the height of convenience you cant go past an Air Console. http://www.get-console.com/airconsole/ Nothing beats being able to plug it in deep inside a rack and then walk back to a comfortable seat to work. Beats the cold data center floor any day! Matt /* Matt Perkins Direct 1300 137 379 Spectrum Networks Ptd. Ltd. Office 1300 133 299 matt@spectrum.com.au Fax 1300 133 255 Level 6, 350 George Street Sydney 2000 SIP 1300137379@sip.spectrum.com.au ABN 66 090 112 913 PGP/GNUPG Public Key can be found at http://pgp.mit.edu */ On 11/11/2014 7:39 am, Max Clark wrote:
Hi all,
DB9 ports seem to be a nearly extinct feature on laptops. Any suggestions on a cheap laptop for use in field support (with an onboard DB9)?
Thanks, Max
I have a box of the db9 to USB converters from monoprice, cheap as dirt and work great with the prolific and open source version as well. Cody On Nov 10, 2014 12:52 PM, "Max Clark" <max.clark@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi all,
DB9 ports seem to be a nearly extinct feature on laptops. Any suggestions on a cheap laptop for use in field support (with an onboard DB9)?
Thanks, Max
Executive Summary: Anyone have an updated linux driver for an Equinox/Avocent SST-128? I've used an Equinox SST-128 for serial ports for years. It's a PCI card with a cable to panels with up to 128 serial ports (RJ-45.) It's been very handy, never given me trouble, just plugging in a piece of CAT-5 has almost always worked (there are RJ-45 to DB9 and DB15 adapters.) Just connect some terminal emulator or similar to the device (something like /dev/ttyAG), I've used eterm for no deep reason other than it "just worked", it's an odd fork or rewrite of xterm. But any vendor support is long gone. I think Equinox sold it to Avocent or changed their name and the newest Linux driver is about 5 years old and won't run on anything newer than, well, pretty old, SuSE 9.3, the newest didn't "just build" on 10.x and that's pretty old, 2.6 kernel. And of course the one system I was using it on just died, everything else here has too-new Linux, typically openSuSE 13.1. I'd hate to have to rebuild a 5+ year old linux just to run this one card. SO BEFORE I dig in and try to port the driver I was wondering if anyone else has done this already? -- -Barry Shein The World | bzs@TheWorld.com | http://www.TheWorld.com Purveyors to the Trade | Voice: 800-THE-WRLD | Dial-Up: US, PR, Canada Software Tool & Die | Public Access Internet | SINCE 1989 *oo*
AirCable is also good if you have Bluetooth available. I use that for Bluetooth and AirConsole with a tablet. https://www.aircable.net/products/serial5x.php On Wed, Nov 12, 2014 at 1:56 AM, g@1337.io <g@1337.io> wrote:
My CF-19 does the trick quite nicely
On 11/10/14 12:39 PM, Max Clark wrote:
Hi all,
DB9 ports seem to be a nearly extinct feature on laptops. Any suggestions on a cheap laptop for use in field support (with an onboard DB9)?
Thanks, Max
participants (25)
-
Adam Born -
Alexander Neilson -
Bacon Zombie -
Barry Shein -
Brandon Martin -
Cody Grosskopf -
Darden, Patrick -
Eugeniu Patrascu -
g＠1337.io -
Job Snijders -
joel jaeggli -
John Schiel -
Justin M. Streiner -
Jutta Zalud -
Kate Gerry -
Matt Palmer -
Matt Perkins -
Max Clark -
Michael Brown -
Mike Hyde -
Nichole K. Boscia -
Octavio Alvarez -
Roy -
srn.nanog＠prgmr.com -
Stepan Kucherenko