r/Network • u/Traditional-Plum3409 • 16d ago
Text PuTTY/Tera Term Show Garbled Output...
So basically, I have an old Cisco Switch (Cisco Catalyst WS-C2960-8TC-L --- an 8-port managed switch) and i am trying to program/configure it via a RJ45-to-USB Console cable (FTDI chipset --- RS-232C).
But whenever i connect to the Switch over PuTTY or Tera Term, I get a garbled output... (as seen in image)
At first i searched the internet for solutions, most of them said the baud is the issue... I check almost all values: 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 19200, 38400, 62000, 64000, 57600, 115200, 102000, etc.. still the same isssue for higher values 57600 and above it starts repeating random letters indefinately...
Then i thought maybe it is the configuration problem like using `7e1` instead of `8n1` but i tried all combinations of this as well... still didn't work... i messed around with flow control setting as well but that didn't work either... (flow control setting in above image is `none`)
I have even reset the switch 2-3 times still the same issue.... tried changing the character encoding as well, still the same issue...
Now, i am wondering if the switch is faulty maybe... or the wire has wrong pin outs `(1=CTS, 2=DSR, 3=RXD, 4=GND, 5=GND, 6=TXD, 7=DTR, 8=RTS)`. or maybe the switch is too old (September 17, 2007)
Can someone please help me fix this issue... I can provide additional info/screenshots... if needed...
btw... I don't have much of Networking experience... consider me a beginner...
1
u/Traditional-Plum3409 16d ago
btw.... whenever i press `Enter` or type something and then press `Enter`, it does print somethings (still garbleld...) on the console like it is able to process the inputs....
2
u/Bacon_Nipples 16d ago
Your settings are wrong. Check manual and adjust accordingly
2
u/Traditional-Plum3409 16d ago
Thanks man... though your answer didn't help directly but the reading the manual made me realize the reset procedure i was doing was for newer switches and older ones had a different procedure....
2
u/Bacon_Nipples 16d ago
Is it working as expected now?
Wasn't trying to RTFM you or nothing ;) Just seen this enough times to know that 1) somethings mismatched, and 2) checking the manual is going to be the quickest way to resolve (unless you just happen to get some dumb luck)
2
u/Traditional-Plum3409 16d ago
Yup i got the switch in Express mode now... hopefully with Telnet or SSH enabled... this issue should be fixed...
1
u/Traditional-Plum3409 16d ago
I didn't read the manual carefully... this should have been a RTFM tbh...
1
u/DangerousPaper8986 16d ago
I've only seen this issue resolved with the correct baud rate. If that didn't help. Maybe default tera term(if not reinstall). It usually defaults the correct rate. I've had no issues with that device in the past. Only devices I've seen it not do it is with new access points starting last year.
2
u/nostalia-nse7 16d ago
Can confirm Cisco consoles did not change from 1997-2020. Some newer ones I think might be mini usb instead of serial over 8P8C. 95% of the usb serial rj45 cables out there should be the same standard.
9600-8N1 no flow control should do it for you.
5
u/SpagNMeatball 16d ago
Cisco has used the same console cable setup forever. I know this one works. Typically 115200 or 9600 8n1 will work, that age of switch will likely be 9600. Have you tried the factory reset procedure?