Netgear Prosafe GSM7248 Console problems

[stealthrt]

Hey all this is my first time dealing with a managed switch and i seem to be having issues with trying to log into the RS232 console on it.

First thing i did was reset it back to factory defaults (i bought it on ebay). After doing that i connected my FTDI USB to rs232 to it and made sure all drivers were installed. It came up as COM11 in my device manager.

Using Putty or Tera Term and connecting to it as it says too in the PDF:

Text

PC with Static IP Address:
When the PC is in this mode, the switch must also be assigned a static IP address. To assign a static IP Address, access the switch from the serial console port as follows:

1. Connect a console to the switch.
Using the null-modem cable supplied with the switch, connect a VT100/ANSI
terminal or a workstation to the switch port labeled Console.

2. Start a terminal emulation program (TEP).
a. Start TEP using the appropriate method for your operating system:
• Windows users can use HyperTerminal.
• Windows Vista users should download a TEP from the Internet.
• Macintosh users can use ZTerm.
• UNIX users can use a terminal emulator such as TIP.

b. Configure the TEP to use the following settings (they are written below the connector on the switch front panel):
• Baud rate: 9,600 bps
• Data bits: 8
• Parity: none
• Stop bit: 1
• Flow control: none

c. At the command prompt User:, login to the switch using the user name admin, then press Enter. At the password prompt, press Enter again (no password is needed for initial configuration).

d. At the next command prompt, type ezconfig and press Enter.
The ezconfig utility is now running in the switch. Use it to set up your static IP address and subnet mask as shown in the following example. Make sure that the selected switch IP address is in the same subnet as that of the PCs.

All i see in the terminal window is a blinking cursor.

I'm not really sure what i am missing. I followed along with each step as it says but i never see the console populate where i can start typing my user name and password. So I am unable to setup the switches IP so that i can log into it using the web interface.

[DaneA]

Hi stealthrt,

It seems that you already got in touch of the Netgear chat support.  Kindly answer the questions I have summarized below:

1. Have you tried using your FTDI USB to rs232 cable before with another networking device such as switch or firewall?  If yes, were you able to use it to access via console connection?

2. Have you tried to reboot the GSM7248?

3. Have you tried using another PC/laptop to isolate the problem?  

4. Have you tried using an end-to-end console cable or RS232 cable to isolate the problem?

5. Have you tried using a different baud rate such as 115200 bps to isolate the problem?  Just to inform you, some Netgear switches uses 115200bps as baud rate.  

I am looking forward to your response.  Welcome to the community! 

Regards,

DaneA

Netgear Community Team

[stealthrt]

Yes I did try tech support but they would not help me.

1) I have not. I only bought it to use with this switch but it's brand new.

2) I rebooted it 10 or so times. Each time running the com port putty program and nothing on the screen.

3) yes I have tried a PC that even has a built in com port so I didn't need to use the rs232 to USB cable. Still had the same result.

4) isn't the end to end console cable the type that has rj45 on one end and db9 on the other. How would that cable work on this switch that doesn't say anything in the manual about hooking it up that way?

5) just tried with again the same results.

[DaneA]

Hi stealthrt,

Thank you for your response.

Based from your answers, it seems that the GSM7248 is faulty.  If ever this switch is newly purchased recently, I suggest you to return it back to store and have it replaced.

Regards,

DaneA

Netgear Community Team

[electrotechie]

Hi, are you sure that the cable supplied was the original Netgear NULL MODEM cable and not just an rs232 cable?

Google "null modem wiring" and check it with a multimeter against the pics you find there. Failing that, why not just set a pc to offer dhcp service, connect up directly and log in that way?