While i don’t have a use for this myself, I really like the idea(s) discussed here.
Hi. A lot of what you clever folks have discussed above has gone over the old head, but if this thing will allow the use of legacy serial cables (I happen to know that the cable I’m specifically interested in is DB9) directly with the laptop, then I would buy one for sure.
I have a design that is practically identical that just has a standard DB-9 connector.
id be interested too, db9 consoles is still very much a thing in the networking world.
An update on the RJ45 serial expansion card, I have a prototype completely working except for the LEDs which I assume is polarity issue. But the DB9 mod is having issues enumerating.
Apologies for reviving an old topic here. I was doing a bit of searching and wondering if anyone has prototyped this RS-232 to RJ45 over straight Ethernet concept
I’m not an electronics wiz, but I have a 3D printer and I can order PCBs and do basic soldering if there’s a design out there. Or I’d be happy to buy from anyone who has made one. Just haven’t seen anything in the threads I found.
Yes it would be nice as I have some old connections to a Telescope and other equipment that need that connection
I don’t understand wanting such a module.
You cannot use a straight-through or cross-over cable for such serial connections. You have to use a Roll-Over cable. So you’ll still end up stuck requiring a specialized cable… You’re better off just buying the USB-C to RJ45 console cables.
I guess you could create a special pin out at the RJ45 jack… but that just seems odd… Either way, you’re still stuck carrying cables.
This is my argument too, when people were wanting DB9 expansion modules. You need a cable anyway, why not use an off the shelf USB-RS232 cable?
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Honestly it’s not a huge deal, but I carry standard ethernet cables with me all the time and they’re a dime a dozen (not to mention there are always spares around network closets). Having a nonstandard pinout on the RJ45 jack that lets me use any random ethernet cable for serial connections would be handy. I’ve broken so many cheap usb (a and c) to serial RJ45 cables/connectors, so it would be nice to have a more static module I can slot in and use a standard ethernet cable so I break a 10 cent cable that I can re-crimp instead of a $10 cable that is trash.
That’s definitely non-standard to use such a pin out. If you have ever dealt with console servers you’ll know they have a standard pin out and require roll over cables (flip the tip before you crimp) from the console server to the console port of the device.
Having a non standard pin out NIC makes me grimace as you’ll need an adapter if you ever have to interface with this standardized setup. It’s not the first time of have and adapter for such nonsense pin outs as APC used to be such an offender, but those days are long over since I’ve required adapters.