topic Re: Extreme ISW switch console scrambles input in ExtremeSwitching (Other)

Extreme ISW switch console scrambles input

VidarA — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 07:48:47 GMT

Hello!

A customer has installed tons of ISW-8P and ISW-4P switches in their network.

One switch stopped responding correctly, so I tried to connect it through a console cable. As it didn't yield any response, I found an article explaining the console cable is different on ISW.

I found a brand new ISW-4P which included a black console cable (see attatched photo), and tried to connect to an ISW-8P switch, which swiftly gave me a prompt on username and password (COM speed 115200)

However, when I typed, some times it showed me the wrong input. Example, when I typed "admin" about 1/3 of the time it showed me that I typed adm@n or adhin. When I tried to paste the Extreme default password of Extreme@pp, it stopped at "Extrem".

I thought maybe I had the wrong console speed, but I'm thinking maybe the console cable is incompatible? I assumed I could use the ISW-4P cable on an ISW-8P switch, but maybe not?

Any thoughts?

Kind regards

Re: Extreme ISW switch console scrambles input

FredrikB-NN2 — Thu, 21 Aug 2025 12:20:27 GMT

One thing you can try is to change the serial settings. The EXOS line of switches uses "no flow control". I'd say this is the normal config for switches, but it does sound like the flow control may be what is lacking. The most common type of flow control is RTS/CTS. If possible, check what the switch expects.

The next thing is of course the cable itself. It may be broken, even if it's new. Does it work with the ISW-4P at all?

I expect the USB dongle didn't come with the switch. It may also be broken or you may have the wrong drivers for it. There are tons of Prolific PL 2303 ripoffs out there, more frequent than the real ones (which can be hard to identify and actually get hold of). Check to see if it works with other stuff (I assume you did this, so I mention it for completeness).

/Fredrik

Re: Extreme ISW switch console scrambles input

VidarA — Fri, 22 Aug 2025 07:55:01 GMT

Ah, the flow control option, didn't see that in PuTTY, thanks for the suggestion!

I'm able to try it on monday again - I'll fiddle around in the flow control options and see if it improves the situation. I'm also going to grab another console cable just in case.

Thank you so far!