How to setup access to the serial console

All D-Link 50X routers have a serial console port at the back which you can use via the serial console for command line interface (CLI) access. While all generation I routers have the conventional 9-pin serial port which you can easily connect to one of your computer's serial ports, most (but not all) Generation-II routers have an unconventional RJ14 socket instead for which you need not only an appropriate cable, but also a hardware gizmo which D-Link makes available to ISPs and some distributors, but not end-users.

So, if you do have a conventional 9-pin serial port (it looks like this) at the back of your router you can follow the following instructions on how to access the CLI using HyperTerminal (Windows) or adapt them for your favourite terminal program (FreeBSD, Solaris, Linux, MacOS etc).

• Click on the Windows "start" button in the task bar;
• Choose Programs -> Accessories -> Communications -> HyperTerminal;
• You will be prompted to setup a new connection name - call it whatever you want;
• You will be prompted to select the COM port number (1 or 2) - choose whichever one you have plugged the serial cable into; if in doubt try 1 first and if that does not work, go back and try 2 :)
• You will be prompted to setup the serial port - use the following settings:
  • Bits per second: 9600
  • Data bits: 8
  • Parity: None
  • Stop bits: 1
  • Flow control: Hardware
  Click OK.

You should now see the router prompt of xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx> where the Xs are the IP address of your router. If there is no prompt, try pressing [ENTER] once or twice.

When you decide to exit from HyperTerminal you will be asked whether you wish to disconnect - choose Yes and you will the be prompted to save the profile you have just created - choose Yes so that you can simply click on the profile next time insread of having to setup the profile again from scratch.

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