Serial console cable for your Linux router

Today I have been trying to get some working console cables for the Asus WL-500 routers I have. The first thing I tried was using an old Nokia CA-42 data cable which includes an Prolific USB to 3.3V TTL converter but unfortunately it ended in getting a messy input and output. So the other solution I thought of was building my own RS232-to-3.3V TTL converter.

Below you may find a scheme of the simplest converter I found.

<a href=”href=”https://remote-lab.net/public/images/ttltors2320kf.jpg”></a>

You will need the following components to build it:

• 2 x BC337 transistors
• 1 x 1.5K resistor
• 1 x 22K resistor
• 1 x 4.7K resistor
• 1 x 3.9K resistor
• 1 x DB9 female connector

This converter did the job for me but only when using it with a computer which had a built-in serial port. When trying it with an USB-to-RS232 converter (Prolific chipset) I got a clean output from the UART port of the router but a messy input. I guess I’ll have to try another type of USB-RS232 converter(other chipset than Prolific) or build an USB-to-3.3V TTL converter from scratch.

I am also attaching a document containing a complete list of RS232-to-3.3V TTL converters:

Converters list

Later Edit: I found a workaround for the messy input when using an USB-to-serial adapter. The default OpenWRT image is compiled with a default baud rate of 115200 bps for the console port. You need to recompile the kernel and use a baud rate of 9600 bps, I will later post a tutorial on how this should be done.