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How To Custom-Make Cisco IP Phone Console Cable

Creating a custom-made Cisco IP Phone Console Cable can be a straightforward process if you have the right materials and follow the correct steps. This cable is used to collect phone logs directly from the console port, especially useful when the phone is not reachable over an IP due to network security, like Firewall Policies.

Materials Needed

To make a USB console port cable, you will need:

  1. USB Type-A male connector
  2. RJ45 male connector
  3. USB to serial converter (with TTL levels)
  4. Wires (preferably with different colors)

Steps to Make the Cable

  1. Connect the USB Type-A male connector to the USB to serial converter.
  2. Connect the USB to serial converter to the RJ45 male connector using the appropriate pinout.
  3. Attach the RJ11 connector and crimp it as shown in the image.
  4. Modify the settings of your terminal application. The settings are outlined here with a screenshot from PuTTy as an example. Baud: 115200 Flow Control: None.
  5. The cable is now complete and ready for testing. Plug the cable into the AUX port on the phone as shown in the images and confirm that you can connect to the terminal of the phone without issue.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues with your Cisco Unified IP Phone, there are several troubleshooting steps you can take:

  1. Verify that the Ethernet connection to which the Cisco Unified IP Phone connects is up. For example, check whether the particular port or switch to which the phone connects is down and that the switch. Also ensure that no cable breaks exist.
  2. If you are experiencing issues with the ‘Ethernet Disconnected’ message or with power failures, test your phone with a known good local area network (LAN) cable and RJ-45 port.
  3. If these troubleshooting steps fail to resolve the issue, use the return materials authorization (RMA) process to replace the affected IP Phone.

Remember, always double-check your connections and use appropriate tools and safety precautions when making the cable.

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