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Console Configuration Cable
The Cable Matters USB-A to RJ45 Console Cable connects from a computer USB port to the RJ45 console port of a networking switch or router. This rollover cable connects a laptop with Windows, Linux or macOS to a Cisco-standard serial console port for configuration and management. The integrated FTDI chipset handles the USB signaling and protocol functions including an RS-232 level shifter. FTDI drivers are available for download.
Specifications
- Host Connector: USB-A 2.0 Male
- Console Port Connector: RJ45 8P/8C Male
- Chipset: FTDI USB to serial UART
OS Compatibility
- Windows 7 and up for 32/64 bit computers
- macOS 9 and up
- Linux Ubuntu 11.10 and up
Important Notes
- Administrator permission is required
- Windows 10 requires a CLI terminal utility such as PuTTy for configuration
Console Cable Functions
- Directly connect to a console port on a network switch
- FTDI drivers are integrated into the latest versions of Windows 10 and macOS
- Configure a switch or router with direct terminal access from your computer
Important Notes
- NOT a crossover cable that reverses TX and RX
- Will NOT operate over an Ethernet port for internet access
Rollover Cable
- Rollover cable reverses all 8 pins to connect from a computer to a network switch
- Cisco-standard wiring pin-out (check the requirements of your equipment)
- Data transfer rate up to 250 Kbps
- Bus-powered cable
Feature-Filled Cable
1. Molded strain-relief for frequent use
2. Snagless RJ45 clip protector
3. Flexible PVC cable jacket
Popular FTDI Chipset
- Download drivers from Cable Matters
- QSG included in the package
Note: Windows 10 requires a CLI terminal utility such as PuTTy for configuration
Shinobi
2025-08-30 11:32:16
I work in a data center and cisco gives out rj45 to db9 connectors with all of the devices. Which is great... if your laptop is from 1992. Unfortunately them handing those out means everyone gets to go buy a second device to plug them into their more modern windows 10 laptops like mine. So not liking the idea I purchased this cable. So far its worked on every device Ive put it into. cisco n9k's, hp5900's, and random things like monitoring devices. The only downside honestly is the price. Mine was almost 15$ plus shipping when I got it and the standard adapter for usb to db9 is about 9$. But overall its been a great cable so its hard to complain too much about the price.
Matt Crawford
2025-08-15 18:37:18
Bought for use when I worked at Microsoft data center. Worked perfect for my needs and have no complaints.
R. Smith
2025-07-11 16:22:44
As described, this cable is similar to Yost standard and match most Cisco console ports. The cables in not flat and is much higher quality than the typical flat console rollover cables. The cable is thick and durable with what appears to be proper shielding.I created a custom USB to RJ-45 cable to mach a non-standard RS-232 RJ-45 connections which didn't follow the Yost or TIA-561 standard. This cable worked out very well and was easy to customize. I highly recommend.
M. Rodrigues
2025-06-14 11:23:44
I bought this for my Firewalla Gold unit which has an integrated RJ45 console port. Firewalla suggests using a 151200bps baud rate, but I was only able to connect reliably with this cable using a 9600bps baud rate. Seeing as this is my only USB to RJ45 console cable, I'm not sure if it's the cable or the Firewalla Gold, but I suspect it may be a combination of both, thus the 4* rating. Overall though 9600bps is still plenty for out of band terminal access given that I rarely need to connect anyway.Update: I figured out that in order to connect at a higher baud rate (151200), I needed to pass -ixoff as an option to screen for this to work with my Firewalla Gold. Other than that, it works perfectly and I think that's something that the Firewalla hardware dictates so I'm bumping this up to 5*
Andrew in DFW
2025-06-11 15:46:26
Not the least expensive option, but I went with known brand that has always been quality before. It is well made, of quality materials. I plugged it in and my Windows 10 laptop recognized it immediately as a "FT232R USB UART", on COM7. Works perfectly with Cisco 2651XM router.The drawback is the boot around the USB connector is so wide, I can't plug in anything in the USB port next to it on the laptop. I was able to plug it into the USB hub on my desk, with the USB ports turned 90 degrees, and it didn't interfere with the ports to either side of it.
Andrew J. Allen
2025-05-15 13:40:31
These weren’t the cheapest cable I could get, but I’m glad I got this one for a few dollars more. Windows installed the driver right away, and it worked perfectly. I heard there were issues with the cheaper cables, this one had no issues at all and it’s nice to just have one cable vs the old school 2 cables adapters.
JR
2025-04-01 15:31:14
I'm a network engineer in an (mostly Cisco) enterprise environment and I've gone through 3 USB-to-RJ45 cables like this from other manufacturers in the last year. So far, this one has held up well and the sturdier clip guard inspires much more confidence than the other, cheaper cables I've bought with flimsier clip guards that ended letting the RJ45 clip break anyway. Plus, this one is better at anti-snag, if/when you're pulling it through a bunch of cables or just if your equipment is in a weird place and you can only get a hand in to release the RJ45 head and have to pull the cable back to you.I also prefer the round cable, instead of the typical flat cable, since I can roll this one up more quickly and stuff it into a dedicated pocket in my backpack.So far, this is my favorite USB-to-RJ45 cable and would recommend it over the cheaper options that I've already tried and had break.
Wildfire Smith
2025-03-13 12:36:39
Was looking for a console cable to connect to a Dell PowerConnect 5548 switch, and after several order fails, this one worked.
RobH-Norwich
2025-03-04 16:01:52
I just plugged it on, very quickly COM4 appeared in Device Manager and Puttyed onto a switch.
unimpressed
2025-02-03 19:17:10
After struggling to get into U-Boot on a board, I tried this. The linux console would work but whatever was driving U-Boot seemed to produce a poor signal level after going through the level-shifters and couldn't be read from the RJ45 console despite the fact that the pin header with 3.3V signal before the level-shifters works fine. This adapter is capable of correctly showing that iffy signal but 2 others (light blue cable, similar but not identical moulded housing) showed gibberish until the kernel loaded.Worth paying for to rule out problems - wish it was a bright colour so it didn't vanish in between power and network cables tho.
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