ICX switch console connection via USB-C cable

[cpjackson]

I am attempting to make a console connection to my ICX7150 switch, via these instructions. I am using an M1 Mac with only USB-C ports, so I am trying to use a USB-C to USB-C cable to make the console connection. However, my Mac does not recognize that any USB device is even connected when I plug the USB-C cable into the switch and into my laptop. 

I do not understand why it would be the case that the USB cable must be USB-C to USB-A, but is that true? All the instructional documents say the computer-end of the cable should be USB-A, but I don't understand why a USB-C cable wouldn't work. Is there anything I can do, or do I need to use a USB-C to USB-A cable? If so, would it then work with a USB-A to USB-C adapter, or do I need to get a laptop with a native USB-A port? 

[Chandini]

Hi Cpjackson 

Have you tried to access the switch using  USB Type-C console connector to USB port on the device on a different Laptop and are you able to console into it ? 

From the below document I see that their are only two options 

1)  USB Type-C console connector to USB port

2)  RJ-45 cable to the RJ-45 serial console connector on the device and to a USB port on the workstation.

link : https://docs.commscope.com/bundle/icx7150-installguide/page/GUID-9FB7FB94-16E9-4FB8-8BBB-8B1BDD9B7E7...

Also the link you referred to article written by Vasquez  has a detail view on connection and type of cable to be used. I suppose only those cables can be used to connect and console into the device. 

Please feel free to leave us a message if any concerns. 

Thanks 

[Mayank]

Hi Cpjackson,

Apart from the details shared by my coworker you can also refer the below video from our YouTube channel regarding console connection via USB-C cable :

https://youtube.com/watch?v=YXR4xhkw3q8&si=EnSIkaIECMiOmarE

Please feel free to leave us a message if any concerns. 

Thanks 

[vesalius]

from the comments on the youtube shared by @Mayank above. Terry Henry (Ruckus employee at the time of the comment 1 year ago) states that:

It does not work with USB-C to USB-C. You need to use a USB-A to USB-C cable and a port adapter on the MAC side. It is not a RUCKUS problem. The problem is the MAC does not have a UART on USBC.

I can confirm the console connection works connecting a standard USB-C to USB-A between a M1 Mac Mini and a ICX-7150, while USB-C to USB-C cables do not work. I use the Serial2.app to bring up the serial console easier, but you can also use standard mac terminal to do the same with the screen command. The default baud rate for the screen command is 9600 so no need to even type that at the end of the screen CLI connect command. https://advantech-ncg.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/6321399413657-How-to-connect-to-console-port-on-...