Linux WOOBM - FTDI Chip, Null Modem Cable USB - USB NMC-2.5M - FT232RL

Hardware MikroTik hardware general
1

I have noticed interesting post over here;
#Woobm-USB How Much Can It Do?
[http://forum.mikrotik.com/t/woobm-usb-how-much-can-it-do/112274/1]

and ordered the FTDI Chip, Null Modem Cable USB - USB NMC-2.5M from rs-online
[https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/interface-development-kits/0537420/]
More on the FT232RL on their website:
[https://www.ftdichip.com/Products/Cables/USBtoUSB.htm]
while waiting for the real deal
https://mikrotik.com/product/woobm


So when I plug it into my PC I would get this in dmesg:

[Wed Jun 24 15:03:32 2020] usb 3-1.2: new full-speed USB device number 5 using xhci_hcd
[Wed Jun 24 15:03:32 2020] usb 3-1.2: New USB device found, idVendor=0403, idProduct=6001, bcdDevice= 6.00
[Wed Jun 24 15:03:32 2020] usb 3-1.2: New USB device strings: Mfr=1, Product=2, SerialNumber=3
[Wed Jun 24 15:03:32 2020] usb 3-1.2: Product: USB Null Modem Cable
[Wed Jun 24 15:03:32 2020] usb 3-1.2: Manufacturer: FTDI
[Wed Jun 24 15:03:32 2020] usb 3-1.2: SerialNumber: FTBF8HE3
[Wed Jun 24 15:03:32 2020] ftdi_sio 3-1.2:1.0: FTDI USB Serial Device converter detected
[Wed Jun 24 15:03:32 2020] usb 3-1.2: Detected FT232RL
[Wed Jun 24 15:03:32 2020] usb 3-1.2: FTDI USB Serial Device converter now attached to ttyUSB1

but I am struggling to get the connection to the router going …

I have tried connect to serial port:

$ sudo tio /dev/ttyUSB1
[tio 15:12:55] tio v1.32
[tio 15:12:55] Press ctrl-t q to quit
[tio 15:12:55] Connected

But nothing happening :frowning:
Same here:

sudo agetty -L 115200 ttyUSB1 linux
or
sudo agetty -L 9600 ttyUSB1 vt102

I have found a interesting post here:

Woobm with Linux [SOLVED]

[http://forum.mikrotik.com/t/woobm-with-linux/119607/1]
but it refers to Mikrotik Woobm device itself.

What is needed to connect to the router over serial from Linux?
I am running #1 SMP Debian 5.6.14-2 (2020-06-09) x86_64 GNU/Linux
and trying to connect to hEX S | RB760iGS

2

I may have found the answer:
#HEX S RB760iGS → console mode…?
[http://forum.mikrotik.com/t/hex-s-rb760igs-console-mode/131826/4]

You can use USB to serial adapter for console, however console will not be spawned on it by default.
So in case where you already have inaccessible device (like after FW misconfiguration) you can’t just plug in USB to serial cable and get console, it has to be first configured to run like that.
WOOBM is probably special in some way where ROS automatically spawns new console on it by default (probably using VID/PID or some other ID).

3

To connect to console, first, the router must have a console port.

Cables: USB to DB9: Trendnet TU-S9
DB9 to DB9: TrippLite P450-006
DB9 to RJ45: Cisco 72-3383-01

Not use generic cables/adapters, may cause problems.

Regards.

4

Confirmed working over here :frowning:

#Woobm-USB How Much Can It Do?
[http://forum.mikrotik.com/t/woobm-usb-how-much-can-it-do/112274/1]


And here:
#USB serial adapters
[https://wiki.mikrotik.com/wiki/Supported_Hardware#USB_serial_adapters]


Maybe I am missing something, but over here:
#Manual:Port
[https://wiki.mikrotik.com/wiki/Manual:Port]
It says:
Serial and USB ports can also be used to:

  • connect 3G modems;


  • connect to another device through a serial cable


  • access device connected to serial cable remotely

and my hEX S | RB760iGS has an USB port …

5

I also have Woobm but it not have completely the same features that regular adapters/cables.

I tested it on a BaseBox and routerboot never appears. In summary is exactly the same as I connect though SSH/Telnet or open terminal on Winbox.

What do you exactly need?

Regards.

6

I see, here it is, reason why it does not work
#HEX S RB760iGS → console mode…?
[http://forum.mikrotik.com/t/hex-s-rb760igs-console-mode/131826/8]


RouterOS 6.47 release notes: *) port - removed serial console port on hEX S
#v6.47 [stable] is released!
[http://forum.mikrotik.com/t/v6-47-stable-is-released/140100/1]


I have locked myself out of firewall, messing around firewall rules …
And I do not have backup either :frowning:

7

“port - removed serial console port on hEX S” this is real shame (Why Mikrotik keeps preventing you from recovering devices using UART connection?!), but it ONLY affects on board UART pads. Not WOOBM or USB converters, they are still supported on all hardware with USB ports.

8

I have sent e-mail to support with same question, will report back, when I receive reply.

9

You can’t access using Winbox via Mac address?

Regards.