Connect to Cisco 2500/2600 with PCI Ethernet card?

fonestar1978

Hello all,

I got my CCENT a few months and I want to start studying again towards the full CCNA.

I have a Cisco 2600 and two 2500's for practice config. Unfortunately, the new XP Compaq box I have setup has no onboard RS-232 ports.

I do have an onboard ethernet and PCI PRO 10/100 Ethernet card but haven't been able to get those to work. Tried a USB->Serial dongle as well and no luck. What is easiest that you have found? How about a PCI-DB9 card?

Thanks,


Fearon

A+, N+, CCENT

mikej412

The USB to Serial Adapter should work -- some of the early ones had an issue sending a break sequence for password recovery, but all the overpriced ones I've bought recently at Best Buy have worked fine.

The PCI Serial Card is also a good option if you have an open PCI Slot -- a 2 port serial card that supports XP should be under $10 (with shipping) on eBay (in the US). Just don't get confused by the Serial ATA eSATA cards for hard drives.