How do I access the Netvanta 1544 config without a management cable or network access?

[Anonymous]

We hired a consultant a while back to help us configure a 1544 switch for iSCSI for our virtual environment.  He promised us documentation after it was placed in service, but before he delivered on that promise he pulled a disappearing act - closed out his email account, stopped returning phone calls, etc  The entire switch is set up on a totally different network (VLAN) so I can't telnet into it or get to the web interface and the only documentation is a label on the switch that tells what the IP address of the switch is.  It probably came with a management cable, but I can't find one.  The way the switch is installed, it is very difficult to access the back of the unit.  I can't see, but feeling around back it feels like the management port is female 9-pin serial.  I have no idea what is supposed to be on the other end of the cable, but if it is 9-pin serial, it is getting harder to find laptops i9n our organization that still have them.

Since there is a physical connection from our network to the switch, I was hoping I could change the IP and subnet of my PC to the same network as the switch and access it that way.  Unfortunately, that did not work.  I also tried hooking a laptop directly into one of the empty ports (in fact I tried every empty port - guessing all the unused ports are shut down) and tried to bring up the web interface, but still could not get to it.

I really need to check some settings on this switch but have no idea how to access it at this point.  I tried calling tech support, but without a serial number (which I was unable to provide), they could not help me.  So if anybody has any ideas, I would greatly appreciate hearing them.  At the risk of looking stupid, I hope I am forgetting something obvious.

Thanks,

Alan

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

Hello Alan,

     I am sorry to say, but those are the only two ways to get connected to Adtran switch configuration. If you can't get on the say network as the switch then HTTP, SSH, and Telnet cannot work. If you cannot physically get connected with a management cable there is no way to flash the configuration. You best bet is to find a way to get connected with management cable, because there can be so many reason why the network side is not allowing to get to the HTTP access of it including ports set to wrong VLANs and protocols being disabled.

Best Regards,

     Nathaniel

[Anonymous]

Hi Nathaniel,

I was afraid that was the case.  Until I can get in and see how it is configured, I guess the management cable is my only option.  I am sure one must have come with the unit.  If I knew what it looks like, it may be easier for me to find (I have been searching the web for images of it, but no luck).  Is it just a straight-thru 9-pin to 9-pin serial cable, null modem, or does it have another type of connector on the PC end (such as USB, etc.)?

Thanks,

Alan

[Anonymous]

Hello Alan,

     I normally use a DB9 cable that has male connection and a female connection like this: 6ft DB9 M/F Serial RS232 Extension Cable - Black | C2G . It works for me. I have never tried a DB9 male to USB cable before so i could not tell you if it would work. I would be worried if putty (or any other similar program) would recognize it was serial connection. Hope this helps.

Best Regards,

     Nathaniel

[Anonymous]

Thanks again, Nathaniel!  Just a straight-through DB9 - DB9 cable, male - female connectors.  Nothing proprietary then.   That's very helpful.  I checked with the vendor who sold us the Adtran switches and he said they don't come with management cables.  This explains why I couldn't find anything resembling one lying around.  I wonder what happened to the good old days when switches, routers and firewalls actually came with management cables (and you had boxes of these kind of cables in your storage closet).

At least now that I know what to look for, I should be able to run down to Staples or Best Buy and find one (hopefully).

[Anonymous]

I was ready to order a cable online (nobody stocks these anymore) when my boss found one!  I now have the config saved to a text file.  Thanks again!