Configure Cable Requirements for Console and

AUX Ports
Contents
Introduction
Prerequisites
Requirements

Components Used

Conventions

Background Information
Console Port Settings for Terminal Connection
Types of Console and AUX Connectors
RJ-45 Cables
How to Identify an RJ-45 Cable

Straight-through Cable

Crossover Cable

Rolled Cable

RJ-45 to DB-9 Female*

Type of Cable for DB-25 Connectors

RS 232 Straight-through Cable

Adapters
RJ-45-to-DB-9 Adapter

RJ-45-to-DB-25 Adapter

Cable and Adapter Setups that Work

RJ-45 Port and Adapter Pin-outs
DB-25 Console and AUX Port Pin-outs
Console Cable Kit
Cisco RJ-45 Component Guide
Related Information

Introduction
This document describes the cable and connector requirements for console and auxiliary (AUX) ports.

Prerequisites
Requirements

There are no specific requirements for this document.

Components Used
This document is not restricted to specific software and hardware versions.

The information in this document was created from the devices in a specific lab environment. All of the
devices used in this document started with a cleared (default) configuration. If your network is live, ensure
that you understand the potential impact of any command.

Conventions

Refer to Cisco Technical Tips Conventions for more information on document conventions.

Background Information
Cisco routers either have RJ-45-based or DB-25 DCE/DTE console and AUX ports. You can connect either
a terminal (DTE) or a modem (DCE) to these ports. In either instance, you need both an RJ-45 cable and an
RJ-45-to-DB-25 or RJ-45-to-DB-9 connector.

Console Port Settings for Terminal Connection

Before you connect a terminal to the console port, configure the terminal to match the router console port as
shown here:

• 9600 baud

• 8 data bits

• no parity

• 2 stop bits (9600 8N2) OR 1 stop bit

○Dependent on the router.

Types of Console and AUX Connectors

Cisco routers have three types of console and AUX connectors. The table in this section lists these types:

• RJ-45

• DB-25 DCE

• DB-25 DTE

There are three styles of RJ-45-to-DB-25 connectors:

1. DCE style (modem)

2. DTE style

3. DCE style (non-modem)

Each of these styles has a different role. Generally, DTE is for terminals, DCE (modem) is for modems, and
DCE (non-modem) is obsolete.

Note: Move pin 6 to pin 8 if you want to change a DCE style (non-modem) to a DCE style (modem).
Console and AUX Connectors for Cisco Routers

Connector Graphic

RJ-45

RJ-45

DB-25 DCE

DB-25 DCE

DB-25 DTE

DB-25 DTE

Cable for console and AUX port:

• RJ-45 Cables

• RS 232 Straight-through Cable

RJ-45 Cables
Cisco products use these types of RJ-45 cables:

• Straight-through

• Crossover

• Rolled

• RJ-45 to DB9 female

Cisco does not provide these cables. These cables are widely available from other sources. Console cable is
usually provided with the Console Cable Kit.

Note: The console port does not support modem control or hardware flow control.
RJ-45 Connector

How to Identify an RJ-45 Cable

In order to identify the RJ-45 cable type, hold the two ends of the cable next to one another so you can see
the colored wires inside the ends, as shown here:

RJ-45 Cable Ends

There are three types of commonly used RJ-45 cables: straight, cross and rolled. Hold the two ends of an RJ-
45 cable side by side. There are eight colored strips, or pins, at each end. If the order of the colored pins is
the same at each end, the cable is straight. If the order of the colors is reversed at each end, the cable is
rolled.

Examine the sequence of colored wires to determine the type of RJ-45 cable. This section explains how you
can do this.

Straight-through Cable

In a straight-through cable, the colored wires are in the same sequence at both ends of the cable.
Straight-through Cable

Straight-through Cable

RJ-45 Straight-through (Ethernet) Cable Pin-outs

Signal RJ-45 Pin RJ-45 Pin Signal

Tx+ 1 1 Tx+
Tx– 2 2 Tx–
Rx+ 3 3 Rx+
– 4 4 –
– 5 5 –
Rx– 6 6 Rx–
– 7 7 –
– 8 8 –

Crossover Cable

In a crossover cable, the first (far left) colored wire at one end of the cable is the third colored wire at the
other end of the cable.

Crossover Cable
Crossover Cable

RJ-45 Crossover (Ethernet) Cable Pin-outs

Signal RJ-45 Pin RJ-45 Pin Signal

Tx+ 1 3 Rx+
Tx– 2 6 Rx–
Rx+ 3 1 Tx+
– 4 4 –
– 5 5 –
Rx– 6 2 Tx–
– 7 7 –
– 8 8 –

Rolled Cable

In a rolled cable, the colored wires at one end of the cable are in the reverse sequence of the colored wires at
the other end of the cable.

Rolled Cable
Rolled Cable

Rolled Cable Pinouts

Signal RJ-45 Pin RJ-45 Pin Signal

– 1 8 –
– 2 7 –
– 3 6 –
– 4 5 –
– 5 4 –
– 6 3 –
– 7 2 –
– 8 1 –

Note:CAB-OCTAL-ASYNC, the 8-port RJ-45 adapter that is used with the Cisco 2509, 2510, 2511,
and 2512, is the same as a rolled cable.

RJ-45 to DB-9 Female*

RJ-45 to DB-9 Female*

This cable is also known as Management Cable.

• Cisco provides this cable with the 600, 800, 1600 and 1700 Series Routers.

Type of Cable for DB-25 Connectors

RS 232 Straight-through Cable

This illustration shows serial cable CAB-R23= (part number 74-0173), which is a general serial cable for all
router platforms:

Both Ends of RS 232 Straight-through Cable for DB-25 Connectors

Both Ends of RS 232 Straight-through Cable for DB-25 Connectors

This cable has a female DB-25 connector on one end and a male DB-25 connector on the other end. Either
end of the CAB-R23 cable can be the Cisco end or the network end, based on whether the Cisco router is
designated as a DCE device or a DTE device. If the router is designated as a DCE device, the female DB-25
connector is the Cisco end. If the router is designated as a DTE device, the male DB-25 connector is the
Cisco end.

Pin-outs for RS 232 Straight Through Cable (DB-25)

Male DTE Pin-outs Female DTE Pin-outs

25 Pin Signal 25 Pin Signal
– –
J2-1 Shield GND J2-1 Shield GND
J2-2 Shield TxD – J2-2 Shield TxD –
J2-3 Shield RxD – J2-3 Shield RxD –
J2-4 Shield RTS – J2-4 Shield RTS –
J2-5 Shield CTS – J2-5 Shield CTS –
J2-6 Shield DSR – J2-6 Shield DSR –
J2-7 Shield Circuit GND – J2-7 Shield Circuit GND
J2-8 Shield DCD – J2-8 Shield DCD –
J2-15 Shield TxC – J2-15 Shield TxC –
J2-17 Shield RxC – J2-17 Shield RxC –
J2-18 Shield LTST – J2-18 Shield LTST –
J2-20 Shield DTR – J2-20 Shield DTR –
J2-24 Shield TxCE – J2-24 Shield TxCE –

Adapters
You need two types of adapters to connect a PC to a router.

• RJ-45-to-DB-9 Adapter

• RJ-45-to-DB-25 Adapter

RJ-45-to-DB-9 Adapter

This adapter connects a router to a PC though a COM port.

RJ-45-to-DB-9 Adapter

RJ-45-to-DB-9 Adapter

RJ-45-to-DB-25 Adapter

This adapter connects a router to PC through a serial port.

RJ-45-to-DB-25 Adapter
RJ-45-to-DB-25 Adapter-Female Adapter

Cable and Adapter Setups that Work

Here are the most common ways to console into a router.

Console Connection Combination

Console Port Cable Adapter for PC Adapter for Console Port

RJ-45 RJ-45 Rolled DB-9 / DB-25 None

DB9-RJRT Adapter-Rolled Over RJ-45 Cable

DB-25 DCE RJ-45 Rolled DB-9 / DB-25 RJ-45-to-DB-25

DB-25 DCE DB-25 None None

DB-25 DCE, DB-25, None, None

RJ-45 RJ-45-to-DB-9 None None

 • Cisco provides this cable with the Cisco 600, 800, 1600 and 1700 Series Routers.

You cannot mix and match these components randomly. Here are the combinations that work:

Console Connection Combination

Port RJ-45 Cable DB-25 Adapter To Attach

AUX / Console Straight DCE non-modem TERMINAL
AUX / Console Rolled DTE TERMINAL
AUX / Console Rolled DCE modem MODEM
AUX / Console RJ-45-to-DB9 None TERMINAL

These are the only setups that work. If you do not have the components you need, use the RJ-45
Component Guide chart to order them.

RJ-45 Port and Adapter Pin-outs

This chart shows the pin-outs for RJ-45 console and AUX ports. The console port does not use RTS/CTS.

RJ-45 Port Pin-outs

Signal Console Port (DTE) RJ-45 Rolled Cable Adapter Adapter Signal
RJ-45 RJ-45 Pin DB-9 Pin DB-25 Pin
CTS 1 8 7 4 RTS
DTR 2 7 4 20 DSR
TxD 3 6 3 2 RxD
GND 4 5 5 7 GND
GND 5 4 5 7 GND
RxD 6 3 2 3 TxD
DSR 7 2 6 8 DTR
RTS 8 1 8 5 CTS

DB-25 Console and AUX Port Pin-outs

Console Port Signals

Pin Signal Direction Description

1 GND – Ground
2 TxD <-- Transmit Data
3 RxD --> Receive Data
6 DSR --> Data Set Ready (always on)
7 GND – Ground
8 DCD --> Data Carrier Detect (always on)
 Note: The console port does not support modem control or hardware flow control.

Auxiliary Port Signals

Pin Signal Direction Description

2 TxD --> Transmit Data
3 RxD <-- Receive Data
4 RTS --> Request To Send (used for hardware control)
5 CTS <-- Clear To Send (used for hardware flow control)
6 DSR <-- Data Set Ready
7 Signal Ground – Carrier Detect (used for modem control)
8 CD <-- Data Terminal Ready (used for modem control only)
20 DTR -->

Note: The auxiliary port supports hardware flow control and modem control.

Console Cable Kit

A console cable kit is provided with your router. Use this kit when you connect your router to a PC or a
terminal.

The console cable kit contains these items:

• RJ-45-to-RJ-45 console cable (blue)

• RJ-45-to-DB-25 adapter (gray)

• RJ-45-to-DB-9 adapter (gray)

Note: The Cisco 7200 Series and Cisco 7301 are not shipped by default with a console cable kit. If a
console cable is required, order an accessory kit (part number: ACS-2500ASYN).

RJ-45-to-RJ-45 console cable RJ-45-to-DB-25 adapter RJ-45-to-DB-9 adapter

RJ-45-to-DB-25 Adapter DB-9-to-RJ-45 Console Adapter

RJ-45-to-RJ-45 Console Cable

Cisco RJ-45 Component Guide

This chart summarizes the RJ-45 components of Cisco:

RJ-45 Component Guide

Style Catalog Part Catalog Description Label Shielded?

 Number

DB-25
DTE CAB-500DTF= CONNECTOR, 29-0810-01/29-DTF-01 no
DTE FEMALE

DB-25
DTE CAB-500DTM= CONNECTOR, no
DTE MALE

CABLE CONN-
CAB-25AS-
modem MODEM TO RJ45 yes
MMOD=
SHLD

modem CAB-MMOD= ADP,RJ45/DSUB 29-0881-01/29-MMOD-01 no

DB-25
CONNECTOR,
DCE CAB-500DCF= 29-0809-01/29-DCF-01 no
(non-modem) DCE
FEMALE

DB-25
CONNECTOR,(non- 29-0808-01/29-DCM-0129- 0808-01/29-
DCE CAB-500DCM= no
modem) DCE DCM-01
MALE

CABASY,RJ45
NA Rolled Cable ROLLED, 72-0876-01/CAB-500RJ NA
MODULAR

NA Straight Cable –not in catalog– 31-0756-01 NA

Cable for DB-25/DB-9 Connection

RJ-45 to DB-9
Depends on the
NA female an all in one 72-3383-01 NA
router*
cable

RS 232 Straight-
NA CAB-R23= – NA
through Cable

DB-9 Male to DB-25

Depends on the
NA male for Modem 29-4043-01 NA
router*
connection

The first seven entries are DB-25 connectors, and the last two are RJ-45 cables. Connectors are described in
terms of their sex and their role. For example, an FDTE is a female DTE style connector, an MMOD is a
male modem style connector, and so on. Again, you need shielded cables in order to run at 115.2 kbps.

Related Information
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