Trouble connecting to the CLI / console on a pair of Dell Force10 S25

Hi,

What kind of cable are you using, the connection to the console port has to be a straight through cable and not a crossover cable. The settings you have for the terminal are correct. Can you try a different program such as Putty? It is also possible if these were not reset to default that the settings were changed, so you might want to try different baud rates.

Thank you for the help - it is a straight through cable. I'll try each and every baud rate I suppose - and putty. Will report back!

I've tried Putty, a second serial cable, and every baud setting. No go. Any other suggestions? There simply must be a setting I'm missing here, somewhere... its possible there is a problem with the switch, but I doubt we received 2 switches with an identical hardware issue. Is it possible they disabled the CLI somehow?

I am not seeing a way to fully disable the console. Try the steps on page 77 and see if that will reset it http://downloads.dell.com/Manuals/Common/force10-s25p_Reference%20Guide_en-us.pdf

Thanks again for the response - still not having any luck. I've pretty much just mashed the keyboard after powering up the switch (the link you provided states I can press any button during boot to break) and still nothing. Nothing reading on the command interface. This is so frustrating - I don't know what can be wrong here. Especially with 2 units. Tried with multiple serial cables, multiple computers and multiple terminals. Ugh!

Does the console port RJ45 jack show link lights? Have you tried an RJ45 to DB9 cable? Do you know why the switches were decommissioned originally? You may also want to try an IP scanner to see if it has an IP assigned and if you can connect to that.  

Thanks for the responses,

I'm starting to think I have no understanding of what a "straight-through" cable is. I've been using a blue cisco RJ-45 to DB-9 female. Part# 72-3383-01 . I need to find a "straight through" cable to work for this switch. As the console is a RJ-45 port, doesn't that mean I'll need an RJ-45 to serial cable?

Can someone point me to a part number or item that would FOR SURE be a straight-through console cable that would work with my Force10 S25?

Thanks!

I am not sure if Cisco wires their cables the same way. http://www.force10networks.com/CSPortal20/KnowledgeBase/DOCUMENTATION/InstallGuidesQuickrefs/S-Series/S25_QSG_09-30-2011.pdf page 17 shows the pinout for our cables.

The straight through cable is for RJ45 to RJ45.

If you use a straight through cable you can use an Ethernet cable. It just has to have the same wires on both ends, unlike a crossover cable which reverses the wires.

Jeffrey, I know this is an old thread, but I'm in the same pickle as you were.  I have a Force10 S25 also and can't get the console to come up.  It was from an estate sale so there isn't anyone around to ask what they did to set it up...

I've tried 3 different cables, (I even have a cable specifically for this switch), I've used putty and hyperterm and can't get anything to connect.

Question is, what did you do to finally get a connection?  Were you able to reset the switch to default using any other means?

Thanks, Tim

I've obtained a pair of Dell Force10 S25 switches and I'm trying to log into the switches to test / reset them. I have no luck accessing the CLI on either of the switches.

I'm using HyperTerminal, 9600/8/n/n and I simply get no readout on my screen.

The "stack ID" shows A0 on the unit I'm currently trying and A1 on the other.

These units are stacked together. 

Anyone have any suggestions? Thanks!

Success.  I am consoled into a Force10 S25.  I used a Cisco rollover cable with a RJ45 rollover adapter, ie rollover twice.  I believe you can also use a female-female coupler with two Cisco cables.  

 Josh

I too having an issue. I used putty and using default settings but showing no activity. Just black screen. I connected the RJ45 cable to R232 on device and at the end of RJ45 its DB9 and then DB9 to USB. Please any assistance I would appreciate

Hatch

So from the DB9, are you connected to USB?