Connect to the Console Port

The serial ports provide administrative access to the ASA either with a console terminal or a PC. To configure the ASA through the CLI, you must establish a connection between the ASA console port and either a terminal or a PC.

Connect to the Console Port with Microsoft Windows

You must install a USB device driver the first time a Microsoft Windows-based PC is connected to the USB serial port on the ASA, otherwise the connection fails.

To uninstall the driver, use the Add Remove Programs utility or the Setup-exe program.


Note

Disconnect the ASA console terminal before uninstalling the driver.

Procedure

Step 1

Obtain the appropriate driver (Cisco_usbconsole_driver_X_X_zip, where X is a revision number) for your ASA model from the Cisco Download Software site, USB Console Software category.

Step 2

Install the driver.

Step 3

Connect a USB 5-pin Mini USB Type B to the USB console port as shown in the following figure.

Figure 1. ASA 5506-X and ASA 5506W-X Console Port Connection

1

Mini USB Type B console port

2

Mini USB Type B to USB Type A console cable

3

USB Type A
Figure 2. ASA 5506H-X Console Port Connection

1

Mini USB Type B console port

2

Mini USB Type B to USB Type A console cable

3

USB Type A
Step 4

Connect the end of the cable with the DB-9 connector (or USB Type A) to the terminal or PC. If your terminal or PC has a console port that does not accommodate a DB-9 connector, you must provide an appropriate adapter for that port.

The LED for the console port turns green and within a few moments the Found New Hardware Wizard appears.
Step 5

Follow the instructions to complete the driver installation.

Step 6

To communicate with the ASA, start a terminal emulator application. This software should be configured with the following parameters:

  • 9600 baud

  • 8 data bits

  • no parity

  • 1 stop bit

  • no flow control

Connect to the Console Port with Mac OS X

Follow these steps to connect a Mac OS X system USB port to the console using the built-in OS X Terminal utility, or alternatively you can use a separate terminal emulator application.

Procedure

Step 1

Use the Finder to go to Applications > Utilities > Terminal.

Step 2

Connect the OS X USB port to the ASA.

Step 3

Enter the following commands to find the OS X USB port number:

Example:

macbook:user$ cd /dev
macbook:user$ ls -ltr /dev/*usb*
crw-rw-rw- 1 root wheel 9, 66 Apr 1 16:46 tty.usbmodem1a21
DT-macbook:dev user$
Step 4

Connect to the USB port with the following command followed by the ASA USB port speed:

Example:

macbook:user$ screen /dev/tty.usbmodem1a21 9600
Step 5

Enter Ctrl-z followed by Ctrl-\ to disconnect the OS X USB console from the Terminal window.

Connect to the Console Port with Linux

Follow these steps to connect a Linux system USB port to the console using the built-in Linux Terminal utility.

Procedure

Step 1

Open the Linux Terminal window.

Step 2

Connect the Linux USB port to the ASA.

Step 3

Enter the following commands to find the Linux USB port number:

Example:

root@usb-suse# cd /dev
root@usb-suse /dev# ls -ltr *ACM*
crw-r--r-- 1 root root 188, 0 Jan 14 18:02 ttyACM0
root@usb-suse /dev#
Step 4

Connect to the USB port with the following command followed by the ASA USB port speed

Example:

root@usb-suse /dev# screen /dev/ttyACM0 9600
Step 5

To disconnect the Linux USB console from the Terminal window, enter Ctrl-a followed by : then quit.