Serial Communication/Commands from Windows 11 Machine

Level1 Store KVM Helpdesk
1

KVM Model:

4-Port KM Switch with USB SYNC, Serial Control, & Remote

USB Interface (5-gigabit or 10-gigbit):

5-gigabit

Problem:

I’m trying to get Serial Control to work for me. I am admittedly a user with no previous experience using COM port communication. I have tried researching various topics online related to this, but haven’t been able to make it work for me.

I have the Cisco-Compatible CAT6 RJ45 to RJ11 Adapter connected to a USB to RJ45 Cisco cable (the specific cable is referenced/Amazon-linked on one of this sites pages).

The cable is recognized as a COM port, with driver “USB Serial Port” by FTDI version 2.12.36.4. Windows reports no issues with the device. Port settings are set to 19200, 8, None, 1, None in Device Manager - as listed in the Serial Command portion of the manual.

I’ve tried a few different programs to communicate (I do not see Hype! Terminal that’s referenced in the manual available): SerialTool 2.1.0, putty 0.82, and ComTestSerial. In each program, I am able to specify the settings outlined in the KVM manual and open the port (Virtual Serial Port Driver, a seperate program, recognizes the port as ‘open’), but when trying to send inputs I don’t seem to get any response from the KVM at all (no beeps, no ‘<’ or ‘>’) and the inputs don’t cause the KVM to do anything.

The command I have usually tried is (without quotes, enter as the actual enter key press) “K = 2[ENTER]” via the buffer/command line input. I have tried powering off the KVM for a while and then plugging it back in to see if anything changes, but nothing did.

At this point I’m kind of at a loss to figure out a next step in troubleshooting/trying. Is there something I’m doing that’s obviously wrong?

I’ve tried looking at various how-to guides on using these different programs and just on COM port communication in general but nothing seemed applicable or relevant to my case. If there is a relevant article/publication/video I’m completely open to doing the homework.

Other Notes:

type here

2

Check the pin-out of the RJ11 to DB9 adapter using a multimeter in continuity beep mode.

I had to rewire the adapter I had to get it to match what is shown in the manual.

1 Like
3

Thre’s a setting that has to be off… I’m trying to remember it off the top of my head. Fluid something? I’ll check tomorrow, maybe that is your issue. I had to turn this off when I was setting up my station to test the serial adapters.

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I’d try teraterm

It’s an open source program I’ve had alot of luck with

We use it to access industrial machines from Windows machines.

Your Serial settings are managed with the tool, and it’s confirmed working with 24H2 and every serial device we’ve thrown at it (provided we use the correct null modem adapters when necessary/not necessary in your case).

You can set the terminal CR/LF, CR only, LF only input and output separate for real tricky stuff.

Under serial settings is your…well, serial settings.

I have personally reviewed the code and can tell you it is safe with a minimal installation and SSH not installed as we do not use that part of the tool. As a pure serial tool on Windows, I have yet to find one better.

5

Hey, were you able to find anything? I am also going to start going through the other two suggestions here this weekend as well.

6

Howdy. I’m in the same boat as this user. No luck accessing the serial console port on my HDMI 2.1 kvm. I’m using tera term and tried putty with the Level1Techs rj11 to rj45 adapter plug in the console port and a startech usb to rj45 rollover cable. When i connect to comm port, nothing shows up in either terminal.

Update:

I gave up on the Rj11 and tried the aux usb-c. I’m able to connect to comm5 through that on teraterm but none of the commands work to switch inputs. V = 2, V =3 etc don’t do anything.

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Let me experiment with this Monday and get back to you