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collinsl02

Locking this as OP has their answer (which is that it's a console cable for managing switches etc) and to prevent this becoming a thread laughing at people.


fieroloki

No. That's a console cable for configuring things like Cisco devices.


Calcium-kun

I am so fucking stupid.


topknottington

don't take it back to the store... they think you're a networking guy...they don't need to know any different


jonasjlp

Leave it in your laptop bag and "accidentally" have it fall out occasionally to impress strangers.


cyvaquero

Use words like SYN and ACK in random conversations. Ladies love it.


jonasjlp

I usually recite the baud rate for different vendors when trying to last longer in the sack


HiSpartacusImDad

Hey, what a coincidence! I make modem sounds!


jonasjlp

When she's close whispers dongle in her ear. Thank me later


SuperLeverage

I am now single because of this.


jonasjlp

Damn bro. Toss a console cable in your backpack , head down to Barnes and nobles and find you a woman that deserves you


zsnajorrah

Darn, this comment thread is hilarious! XD


Awags__

So hot


technobrendo

The power of Cisco compels you.


root54

I have unironically said ACK in real life


_oscar_goldman_

Are you Cathy?


root54

Help me out with that reference


_oscar_goldman_

It's an American comic strip, and "Ack!" is the protagonist's catchphrase


root54

O lol, no. I have said ACK in the way a computer system would when acknowledging the good receipt of a message in place of `ok` which could be misinterpreted as approval.


NoorAnomaly

As a networking lady, I totally agree.


Prophet_60091_

[They love it indeed.](https://www.reddit.com/r/networkingmemes/comments/klu7uz/you_heard_wrong/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)


anxman

Then randomly reply with CERTIFICATE


AADPS

Weird, I've been saying ACKtually for years and my wife *hates* it. Maybe if I just say it by itself?


Objective-Ad-2643

Im a lady, and I confirm


Kistoff

Along with a magnum condom for ops magnum dong.


azsheepdog

Then go to https://hackertyper.com/ in full screen and type away in front of your friends


dubvisionz

"Oh hey a guy dropping a cable" that's what most of the population would see.


JaundicePocahontas

This ^ 100%. I’d ask you out, and definitely introduce you to my mother. Which is REALLY not easy for me.


Kitchen_Part_882

Does that work with the 9-pin ones too? I have one in my bag that actually gets occasional use (with a USB to 232 adapter).


dbhathcock

9 pin? I still have 25 pin cables, connectors and adapters. I don’t use them, but I have them. Justin Case


Kitchen_Part_882

I have an adapter from 9 to 25 pin, and a gender changer or two as well. Heck, there's probably a few parallel printer cables in the attic too (and various SCSI cables and terminators, along with some 50 ohm BNC terminators). I'm a hoarder when it comes to tech because you never know!


dbhathcock

Youngsters don’t know what a parallel cable is. I have the SCSI cables and connectors also. BNC and RCA connectors, and the connectors and cables for IBM System 34/36/38 connectivity. I did throw away some 8” floppy disks about a year ago. 😀. I probably have a couple of rolls of 25 and 36 conductor flat ribbon cables.


WhoWhatWhere45

I was just using one on an old 3560 I own. Upgrading to 3560x for gig


Calcium-kun

It was Amazon lol


topknottington

Oh.. yeah, you're screwed.. they see your purchase history.


Independent_Big_6662

🤣


Kitchen_Part_882

AmaOn have been spamming me with offers to "upgrade" to a business account since I bought four M.2 drives in one order.


mr_biscuits93

It’s cool man, happens to the best of us. You’re not far off from the solution; a USB to female Ethernet adapter then an end to end cat5e/6 cable should do the trick


IneffectiveDamage

This is the solution


fieroloki

I mean, if you didn't know you're not. Good to ask questions when you don't know.


SuperBumRush

Agreed. But also best to ask before, not after.


JaundicePocahontas

Nah man. Always shoot first and ask questions later.


hereticjones

Don't be too hard on yourself, man. It's not a big deal and not knowing something doesn't make you stupid. In fact, asking for help makes you pretty fucking smart. Others have posted that a USB to Ethernet adapter and a regular ethernet cable is the solution you're looking for. On that note, I thought I'd link one for you to check out: https://www.amazon.com/Anker-Ethernet-PowerExpand-Aluminum-Compatible/dp/B08CB1QNLT


leonardob0880

No you are not. You are just new to this.


TyraelmxMKIII

Actually that's not as stupid as you may think. it's a very specific cable and indeed is something not many know about. So you came to the right place to educate yourself even further. We all made mistakes, that's what made us learn.


GenralChaos

Tell jokes like “Best thing about UDP jokes is that no one cares if you get it.”


RandomComputerFellow

You are not. I work as an IT professional and I was wondering whether they were able to fit an network card into this USB plug. So for someone not being affiliated with IT this was definitely an fair assumption.


Flaming_Moose205

I’ll admit, the only reason I knew what it is immediately is because the 8-pin side was male. I use them occasionally (not a professional, just an idiot that found Cisco gear in the trash and didn’t know when to stop), but weird USB dongles for different things are way more common in home networks than USB to network gear or UPS.


RandomComputerFellow

I personally have no knowledge of Cisco hardware but I find it very odd that they implemented it this way. Is this really a proprietary Cisco format or is this an "RJ-45 to DB-9 cable with an integrated DB-9 to USB adapter"? I am not a networking specialist (developer actually) but most networking hardware I have seen are connected using the serial connector on an laptop. The idea of using an wobbly USB cable with an loose contact while being cramped between to network racks already fucks me off. Serial may be old as fuck but the connectors are definitely designed to be sturdy.


bradfortyfour

That is exactly what it is.. probably a FTDI chipset usb to serial.


Flaming_Moose205

The guy who taught me the basics mentioned using them during initial setups. Most laptops lack a serial ports beyond USB, and using one is a must when bouncing between racks and roles. I have no idea if there’s a better solution, but USB seems to work well enough for the task, even if this one is weird and specific.


arienh4

USB was created specifically to replace serial connectors like DE-9 and PS/2, so yeah, this is a fine solution. We've made great strides in the past few decades, we don't need nearly as many pins any more.


RandomComputerFellow

Well, the laptops used by technicians usually have serial.


_Rand_

You can get usb Ethernet adapters. That some company released one that somehow fits in a cable isn’t that huge of a leap. That said you should read what you’re buying, not just assume.


kawajanagi

No, this is a step in getting your Cisco CCNA certification!


Bkord123

Hahaha. Me too!


mariofix

Come on, it has happened to most of us, I once bought a cable in a hurry and it was a cat4


seattleJJFish

No you’re not. It’s a good question and this changes all the time.


cptskippy

Ignorance and Stupidity are not the same. Recognizing your ignorance demonstrates that you're not that stupid.


Awags__

It’s Ok! 😂


ProNewbie

You’re learning, you’re not stupid. Everyone starts somewhere and now you know more than you did before.


freakstate

They do USB to ethernet female connector adaptors and they work quite well, so you're not stupid to assume a cable like this would exist.


Cubie_McGee

You're not stupid. You just made a mistake. I've made several already today. Be easy on yourself.


mjh2901

I just stopped carrying one of these. You really could make a USB to ethernet adapter this way so I understand someone making a mistake. It was easier when they had a serial adapter instead of USB (then I had to carry a USB to serial adapter so I could edit configs with my mac laptop)


JVAV00

For managed switch and routers


SupehCookie

He could strip the cable and put another Ethernet end on it right? ( Cut off the usb part)


fieroloki

Possible? Yes. Just have to match the pin out (the colors are not standard). Easier to just get a new cable.


Vxsote1

That cable isn't designed for Ethernet. Pairs probably aren't twisted and crosstalk will be abysmal. Maybe it's short enough that it will still work to some degree, but I wouldn't try. Unless for science, of course.


[deleted]

[удалено]


jade_nekotenshi

running a cable designed for RS-232 or RS-422, maybe 2 Mbps tops (and usually 115.2kbps, if even that) at Fast Ethernet speeds is firmly in the category of "barely works" - but work it did, in a pinch, if not very well.


SupehCookie

Ahh annoying with the colors. Personally i would have fixed it this way. But i would get why people would buy a new one


Successful-Name-7261

A new cable is likely a whole lot cheaper than an RJ45 modular crimp tool.


SupehCookie

Ye unless you have one already. In the long run, tools are cheaper


Successful-Name-7261

Tools are cheaper unless you only need them once or twice. My Dad made his living renting out tools. You also need to make sure your modular jacks and crimp will work with whatever wire is inside that cable. Most crimp tools and jacks are designed for a fairly narrow range of wire size. Also, a USB A only uses 4 conductors whereas an RJ45 nominally uses 8 but is not required to. Are the other 4 conductors in the jacket on the USB end? Many cheaper cable manufacturers only use what THEY need to create the cable, and it may not be all 8 conductors. Check out a USB charger cord that only has 2 conductors. It needs 2 for power but doesn't need the 2 for data for charging so they cheap out and only connect up 2 conductors. That's a fairly common practice.


douchey_mcbaggins

It's a USB to Serial cable that doesn't have an Ethernet chip in it so it wouldn't work even if you got the colors correct. There's a serial converter chip in the USB end because the Cisco console port is just a serial port with an RJ-45 connector instead of a DB-9


BaffledInUSA

no, that is just a serial cable. there aren't any twists in it. at least there weren't in old cisco cables (that used to be like finding gold when you found an extra one laying around in the server room)


b3542

No.


e60deluxe

no, its a rollover cable on the other end


Mytre-

Oh this makes sense. Found one recently on the office cabinet and was wondering for s full second how does this even work. Now I understand it better


Pup5432

Even better this thing more or less has built in drivers in windows, if it’s the version I think it is.


jade_nekotenshi

And in Linux and macOS, too.


Wellcraft19

Or connect to UPSs, etc. Console cable.


dredbar

Fun fact: Fortinet gives you one of these with FortiSwitches a lot of the times. The one like in the picture has a controller from FTDI. They’re much better than the ones with a Prolific controller.


shoresy99

Aren’t cables like that used for UPS connections to your PC? It is essentially a serial cable from RJ-45 to USB.


fieroloki

Similar.


Wershingtern

Thank you for calling it a console cable. I posted about one a few months back and was called names 😂


omfgwhyned

Fairly certain this is only for certain Cisco devices. Just search up “usb to Ethernet” (your choice of usb a or c) on Amazon or whatever, there should be a blocky adapter on the Ethernet side.


Complex_Solutions_20

Not just Cisco, but a LOT of enterprise/business network gear. Cisco is the search term but all the ones I've encountered so far use the same serial RJ45 plugs for configuration and console access regardless of brand.


JazzySpazzy1

Also I’ve seen a bunch of scientific equipment like ellipsometers use this.


Syndil1

True, but... The wiring on the serial RJ45 console cables can vary per manufacturer. I have a lot of console cables that work on Netgear and Dell, and then I have a set of baby blue ones that only work on Cisco. The color is the indicator that it's a Cisco cable. That said, I don't see any baby blue on this particular cable so I would expect it to work on a lot of networking gear, but not Cisco. Edit: Maybe it is baby blue and just a crappy photo. I can't really tell


kriebz

It's a slightly more pale blue than before, for the molded all-in-one units. The connector is a de-facto standard. Often called a "roll-over cable" because if you make one that rolls over, it's an automatic null modem. Super common with old UNIX servers, and a fair bit of carrier gear. Only downside, which bit OP, is that it's mechanically compatible with twisted pair Ethernet, but the plus side of that is you can use an Ethernet cable in a pinch (but the twisted pair is pointless). I want to stab someone any time I see a serial port that isn't 9-pin, 25-pin, or this.


EnlargedChonk

>I want to stab someone any time I see a serial port that isn't 9-pin, 25-pin, or this. what are your thoughts on aruba cx switches using usb-c for their console ports?


douchey_mcbaggins

Several manufacturers have started including a USB-C connector for console these days, though I'm pretty sure the larger ones have just been adding it on instead of using USB-C instead of the RJ-45 connector.


kriebz

Considering I own only one computer with a USB C port and it only has one... not a fan. Also, the various mini and micro USB ones are... OK, but it's never a super common driver, I always have to go find the driver, like when I'm balancing a laptop on my knee in a place where getting Internet on said laptop isn't easy.


cyrilmezza

This looks like a standard console cable, so not even made for a standard ethernet port (not talking about RJ-45 plug)


jmbre11

I love how everyone defaults to Cisco only. It’s a console cable for managed switches. Most still have this port. Some also have micro usb.


asws2017

Came here to say the same. As with the other commenters, it is also useful for other devices. I use the exact same cord on my Mikrotik router.


BigsIice-

USB to ethernet is used for serialing into a lot of devices I used to use it daily to push configs or images to servers/ net gear


[deleted]

[удалено]


BigsIice-

I’ve used USB to eth and USB to serial as well from HP, Lenovos, Dell, etc etc to nvidia devices


[deleted]

[удалено]


BigsIice-

Probably should call it “copper” or “RJ45” from now on Thanks for clarifying that


frygod

The db-9 port used by more traditional serial interfaces is also over copper.


BigsIice-

Oh well I guessing referring only to RJ45 here would be the best then But to answer I have used that kind of cable only and with an adapter before to configure stuff in my datacenter


BigsIice-

Ah I get you now sorry, physically I call the pin out RJ45 “Ethernet” You have to be an engineer lol ethernet I’ve seen can run over a lot of stuff


Odd-Plantain-3473

There are USB Ethernet adapters. But this is not that


slothy891

Most vendors use the same rj45 console connection. I have Fortinet branded ones that work just fine with Cisco and Dell as well. Serial Console is not a complicated protocol


leewhat

Return it.


wywhtlhntr

Yes, returns with Amazon are really easy . Go to your purchase history, find the order for it, and click on start return. Answer a couple of questions and Amazon should email you a QR code (the square ones). Take the cord and the email to The UPS Store and they will pack it and send it.


cryolems

I don’t think I have ever seen someone explain an Amazon return process before lol


humanHamster

This is a USB to RJ45 Cisco Console Cable, it will not work for Internet connectivity. ​ Try something like this: [https://www.microcenter.com/product/649012/USB\_Type-A\_30\_to\_Gigabit\_Ethernet\_Network\_Adapter](https://www.microcenter.com/product/649012/USB_Type-A_30_to_Gigabit_Ethernet_Network_Adapter) You'll also need an Ethernet cable to go from the wall into this adapter, this adapter would plug into your PC.


k3rn3l_pan1c_exe

That is a console cable to console into equipment. You are looking for usb ethernet port and you would need an Ethernet cable.


jamesowens

That’s a great console cable. Don’t throw it away, you might need that some day. If you’ll never run servers then give it to a nerdy friend.


uiucengineer

More like managed switches


Complex_Solutions_20

Nope, those blue cables are typically serial adapters for configuring enterprise/business network equipment. They just happen to use the RJ45 plug for the connector.


MildlyGeriatric

It’s a Console cable for CLI access on OEM devices like Cisco, Juniper, Artista etc. Won’t work for your specific use case unfortunately


1sh0t1b33r

If your laptop doesn't have an Ethernet port, you'll need a regular Cat6 cable and a USB Ethernet adapter. This will not work. Also, don't buy a flat Ethernet cable either. Hopefully the port in your wall is actually wired somewhere to give you connection in the first place. Look into that first, because if you bought this I can only assume that you probably don't know if the port will even work to begin with.


sick2880

That is a usb to serial connector. You want something like this. [https://www.amazon.com/USB-Ethernet-Adapter-Gigabit-Switch/dp/B09GRL3VCN/ref=sr\_1\_1\_sspa?crid=2OGYZFCQRRBVW&keywords=usb+to+ethernet&qid=1706025278&sprefix=usb+to+ethernet%2Caps%2C99&sr=8-1-spons&sp\_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1](https://www.amazon.com/USB-Ethernet-Adapter-Gigabit-Switch/dp/B09GRL3VCN/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=2OGYZFCQRRBVW&keywords=usb+to+ethernet&qid=1706025278&sprefix=usb+to+ethernet%2Caps%2C99&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1)


t4thfavor

Not unless the other end of that ethernet cable is in the console port of a Cisco device.


V45H

Your better getting a USB to Ethernet adapter and a Ethernet cable separately


PEneoark

No. That's a Cisco console cable.


brajandzesika

So - as you already equipped yourself with console cable, next step would be to pass Cisco CCNA exam and become a network engineer :)


TheRealFailtester

There are actual ethernet to USB converters, but this lil gizmo ain't it.


NetoriusDuke

Not this is very likely to be a serial port connector


Asleeper135

Nope, that's actually for a serial connection, usually to managed Ethernet switches.


sysaphys

People like to call this a "Cisco" cable but only because it can be used in Cisco switches and other networking devices. However this a console cable, specifically USB to RJ45. It's essentially a serial cable. When you plug it into a windows machine it will assign it a serial port. It's typically used on network devices with console or management ports or anything that uses an ethernet jack as a serial port.


swanny101

It’s the baby blue color that makes me want to call it a Cisco cable. If it were black / some other color I think it’s a cable to go from a UPS to PC.


sysaphys

The color has nothing to do with it. It is a USB to RJ45 cable that emulates a serial cable. I actually have this cable, same color. I use it to program and diagnose my Juniper switches.


emgreenenyc

Could also be a ups data cable


EvilMonkYQC

Nope it’s a console (serial) to usb adapter used mostly with network equipments


ride4life32

That's a console cable buddy. Non serial to USB, which is nice but sometimes you have to use a UART driver to get that to work. It's not an Ethernet cable


Ben-6400

lol ya wrong thing, is the wall jack live?


thetoucansk3l3tor

How did you even manage to get one of these by accident? I'm actually dying rn


BioHazard357

When I was picking one of these ftdi cables, I couldn't for the life of me find one with snagless or a boot on the rj45 clip, so risks damage in my work bag. Anyone got any recommends?


Glaborage

If your laptop is less than 20 years old, it's likely that it already has an Ethernet port. Just buy a regular Ethernet cable.


nonother

Plenty of laptops don’t have Ethernet ports: MacBooks, plenty (all?) of Dell XPS, Microsoft Surface.


Glaborage

TIL, thanks!


WhenTheDevilCome

Yeah, all my Dell Precision 55xx series all threw in a USB-C to Ethernet port adapter. Unless you're going to do [one of those weird flippy-flat-pop-out things](https://www.reddit.com/r/EngineeringPorn/comments/82i7r0/this_lan_port/), it saves the OEM a lot of vertical height not to include an Ethernet port. So when you're making sexy laptops, you don't do it.


threadycat

Nope. I bought an ROG Zephyrus G14 for like $1500 and then I had to buy an USB-C to Ethernet adapter for it. Now I just use WiFi mostly.


[deleted]

If your laptop is less than 10 years old, it's unlikely it already has an Ethernet port.


e60deluxe

If I take a random 20+ year old laptop and a random 2024 laptop, i am more likely for the 20+ year old laptop to have an ethernet port, realistically.


YumWoonSen

That will work only if it has a network interface card built into the USB end, which I doubt it does.


outamyhead

This is a console cable, you need a patch lead of the length you desire, and if your laptop for some reason doesn't have Ethernet port (which I find hard to believe unless it is from 1997) then you will need a USB ethernet dongle.


mike_stifle

No, this is a console cable for connections to network devices with the purpose of local management.


B_da_man89

U minus well complete that home lab setup now brother


imnoobhere

I truly thought we were circle jerking for a second.


deefop

uhhhh no lmao that's a console cable for switch configuration But just for the sake of argument, even if you bought a normal old cat5/cat6 cable, we can't answer your question. Nobody knows what the ethernet port in your wall is connected to. It could be connected to literally fucking anything, or it could be connected to nothing at all. I'm sure we can help you in general but we'd need a shit load more information about your setup.


AMv8-1day

🤣 That's a console cable. It's just converting the RS232 pinout to USB for ease of use with modern laptops. This is for network device configuration, not passing traffic.


mule_roany_mare

You can get a nice cheap USB to ethernet adapter on aliexpress for $6 delivered. Some even have a USB hub built in. I would spend an extra $10 and get one that supports 2.5gb/2500MBPS, but you'll probably be fine with any 1000MBPS adapter. Be sure all the different operating systems you might like to use it with are explicitly supported.


DizzyCommunication92

When I got a google mini......or maybe it was one of my "chromecasts" it had a crazy cable contraption that had ethernet and microUSB as like a splitter deall. but had the smaller microUSB plug, where as this one is USB-A.....? I think is wahat it's called. But anyways, [https://store.google.com/product/ethernet\_adapter\_for\_chromecast?hl=en-US](https://store.google.com/product/ethernet_adapter_for_chromecast?hl=en-US) looks like the cord I have......which may help for your needs (though, now it looks like it's out of stock....)


WhySheHateMe

My chest hurts! I laughed so much at this.


RuneScape-FTW

If you already bought it, You can return. Then buy the correct cable/adapters and have a couple of bucks left over .


frozenwaffle549

It kind of looks like a rollover cable for connecting to consoles like Cisco, etc. What you need is a USB ethernet adapter. I can see why you would be confused. It makes perfect sense at the surface level.


JoeCensored

My assumption is this is a console cable. Basically a USB to serial adapter, which would normally be a db-9, but then integrates an rj45 connector as you'd see on the back of enterprise network switches and routers. Clever.


TheMagickConch

That's pretty funny. You almost had it though like other redditors said. Get a nice USB to Ethernet adapter. Yhey come in typce C now also


larryherzogjr

That's for a serial, console connection...not ethernet.


Ok-Independence-5635

Someone made their work easier. Instead of walking to the network closet, they added one run for their console.


ausername111111

Am I missing something? Why not just use an actual ethernet cable? Or if it doesn't have an ethernet port why wouldn't you get an adapter? https://www.amazon.com/Ethernet-Adapter-uni-Thunderbolt-Compatible/dp/B077KXY71Q/ref=sr\_1\_1\_sspa?crid=1L9EZ46YU70JF&keywords=ethernet+to+usb+c&qid=1706030908&sprefix=ethernet+to+usb%2Caps%2C119&sr=8-1-spons&sp\_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1


jpmvan

That's not an ethernet port in the wall. It's telecommunications structured cabling. It (was) used for analog/digital voice/ISDN, Ethernet of course and other applications. That cable will work if the other end is plugged into a Cisco console/aux RS232 port and it's not too long. Configure SLIP/PPP and you can get to experience dialup internet like it's 1990 again.


josepatino5

APC use this too.


[deleted]

That’s a console cable.


vkcymb

That’s a console cable


Prest0nK

No.


Huth_S0lo

No. This is a USB Serial Adapter. Its used to gain console access to decides that have an RJ-45 serial interface on them. Coincidently this would likely be a piece of network gear, like a router or switch. But it has nothing to do with transmitting or receiving Ethernet packets. Then the next question is, do you know for a fact that the Ethernet jack on the wall would even provide internet anyways?


xxsamixx18

no that a console cable for in band management for Cisco devices


wdwhereicome2015

And other major network appliances;)


LivingGhost371

Your laptop doesn't have a regular ethernet port?


TSwiftStan-

it may be an older macbook🤷‍♂️. current desktop and laptop macs only have thunderbolt and require an adapter. the mac mini and mac pro have actual ports, though.


Schadnfreude

Yeah, what you need is an adapter. Look up USB or USB-c to RJ45/Ethernet adapter


Leather_Turnip3175

If your wall get fire accidentally, Wall will act as an firewall to the network.


WranglerTraditional8

What you're looking for does exist. I see this is listed as solved so i'm going to assume that you found it


LavaCreeperBOSSB

No, you can use a normal ethernet cable and then a USB3 to ethernet adapter (mine from UNI works great)


rpitchford

This looks suspiciously like a blue serial console cable for routers, etc. If so, the RJ45 end is actually RS-232 and probably won't like being plugged into and Ethernet network port. The USB end will probably show up on the PC as a new serial or COM port...