Dell PowerConnect - Programming??

[DigitalCancer]

Guys,

I have a major issue...I haven't really programmed a switch before...ever...and I'm trying to get one going now and I can't get it to work.

So...I bought a 'used' PowerConnect 2824 that came with nothing but a power cable. It works fine passing through my router and all, but, I can't for the life of me figure out how to get to the web interface of it.

I DO NOT have a serial cable nor a serial on my pc anyway, but...I do have a serial 2 usb adapter w/ a cisco db9-2-rj45 I think? That doesn't seem to work at all, didn't figure it would.

According to what I can find online, you should be able to reset the switch to defaults by holding down the 'mode' button and then the default IP is 192.168.2.1, so you set your lan adapter to 192.168.2.2 and you should be able to hit it but no matter what I try...that has yet to work for me.

I'll try to find a db9 cable locally tomorrow but that's going to be slim chances I believe since I don't have a Fry's or anything around me.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[imagoon]

28xx PowerConnect are web managed only. The serial port can reset the password but not much else. I highly suggest you go to www.dell.com and download the manual for it. From memory what you did sounds correct but you may need to follow the config reset process as I can't remember if IP information is saved when the switch is put back in unmanaged mode. There is a procedure to return it to a stock config in the manual. Also firmware upgrade the switch if you plan to run it in managed mode. That switch was a great unmanaged switch but there was quite a few problems with them in managed / web mode.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Cisco serial cables have a pin switched, don't they? That's probably why it didn't work.

 

[DigitalCancer]

To answer your questions...yes, the pin cable IS for a Cisco switch, I figured that out pretty quickly. ^_^

As far as resetting it....I was able to find the IP of it by hooking it up directly and using Wireshark to figure it out, so it's set to 10.1.2.90 right now (NOT the default IP address). I called Dell up and they explained that hitting the 'mode' button to go in between Managed and Unmanaged modes should reset everything and that the console is really only used to reset the password...but...switching the modes SHOULD reset that as well...according to Dell. They think maybe it's a defective switch, which sucks b/c they'll replace it but I need to have it switched to the companies name and I bought it used off Amazon so...hopefully the seller can help out with that...

 

[ch33zw1z]

28xx manual: http://song.phys.au.dk/hardware_manuals/dell-switch-Users_Guide_Dell.pdf

Looks like the console connection is RS-232 DB9 crossover cable, I believe that's also known as a "null modem" cable.

 

[imagoon]

To answer your questions...yes, the pin cable IS for a Cisco switch, I figured that out pretty quickly. ^_^

As far as resetting it....I was able to find the IP of it by hooking it up directly and using Wireshark to figure it out, so it's set to 10.1.2.90 right now (NOT the default IP address). I called Dell up and they explained that hitting the 'mode' button to go in between Managed and Unmanaged modes should reset everything and that the console is really only used to reset the password...but...switching the modes SHOULD reset that as well...according to Dell. They think maybe it's a defective switch, which sucks b/c they'll replace it but I need to have it switched to the companies name and I bought it used off Amazon so...hopefully the seller can help out with that...

Erasing the config likely varies based on the firmware level. The 27xx did that so the 28xx might also. You don't need a serial connection for this switch as there is no config other than a password reset. Some of the 27xx you needed to hold the manage switch until one of the LED(s) started blinking to clear them.

 

[DigitalCancer]

Does anyone know how to reset the password then? As I said, according to Dell, it's supposed to do that by pressing the 'Mode' button and switching from unmanaged to Managed but, does not work for me...

 

[imagoon]

Use the serial port. I think it is something like this (been a long while)
enable
configure
username admin (password)

then log in via the web interface.

--edit--

I also looked it up, push and hold the manage/unmanage button for 7 seconds to clear the flash... like I mentioned above.

 

[DigitalCancer]

Use the serial port. I think it is something like this (been a long while)
enable
configure
username admin (password)

then log in via the web interface.

So...I've NEVER done this before. ^_^

The way I had it setup was a USB-Serial cable (also have a serial2usb adapter that I've tried) and I used old HyperTerminal and set it up what looks to be correct using VT100 emulation, I connect and then reset (also tried unplugging/plugging) the switch but...nothing ever comes up on the HyperTerminal...no console or anything, just...blank.

::Edit::

I've held the 'mode' button in for over 30secs with no change btw.

 

[imagoon]

So...I've NEVER done this before. ^_^

The way I had it setup was a USB-Serial cable (also have a serial2usb adapter that I've tried) and I used old HyperTerminal and set it up what looks to be correct using VT100 emulation, I connect and then reset (also tried unplugging/plugging) the switch but...nothing ever comes up on the HyperTerminal...no console or anything, just...blank.

::Edit::

I've held the 'mode' button in for over 30secs with no change btw.

You are starting to learn why I dislike this switch so much btw. If this just to learn, you are likely better off finding a used 3524 / 3548 and just using the 2848 as a 48 port gigabit dumb switch. If you are getting nothing, that means you either have the wrong com port selected or have the wrong cable.

 

[DigitalCancer]

No, def. correct com port. I used a cable from RadioShack since I don't have any of these lying around (maybe I can find one at work tomorrow), and it's a 2824, not 48. The cable is specifically a 'null modem' cable, but, I did use a male2female changer...not sure if that would affect it in anyway...since they only had the male cables in both the USB and non-usb...I tried an old WinXP machine with a serial port...and a Win 7/8 laptop using the USB's that I had and the gender changer adapter.

This is just for a small business so it's really not necessary for them to have a managed switch so I can kick it into unmanaged mode and they'll be fine for now (4 employees).

 

[ch33zw1z]

So a couple things to look at when terminal sessions don't work right away

1. In our case, is the driver installed for the USB to Serial device?
2. After you get the USB to Serial device working(driver installed), what is the COM port assigned?
3. What terminal emulator is being used?
4. What are the settings in the terminal emulator for the COM port? according to the manual, it's standard console settings:

Baud: 9600
data bits: 8
parity: none
stop bits: 1
flow control: none

VT100 terminal emulation

 

[DigitalCancer]

cheew1z:

Yes, those are the settings I used. Yes, I had the drivers installed for both cable's I was using (the usb2serial was a Gigaware from RadioShack and the other is a Keyspan usb2serial).

I just looked at work though, we have an actual dell cable (3080201500 is on the bag, brings up Dell OEM in Google). So, I'm going to give this a try along w/ the Keyspan USB adapter tonight when I get home. I really just need to reset the password to the WebGUI and I'm golden but...from what Dell told me, I should be able to do that by swapping the modes around (which doesn't make a lot of sense to me but whatever). Hopefully, this OEM cable will work since it's most likely came with a few of our Dell switches that we don't use here anymore, we swapped for HP's.

Thanks for the help and I'll let you know how it goes tonight...although I need to figure out the command to reset that password....grrr

 

[imagoon]

I am back at the office and I have a 2848 (2824 is just a 24port version) sitting behind me if there is something I can do to help.

 

[DigitalCancer]

I appreciate that imagoon, unfortunately, I'm also at the office and the switch is sitting on my kitchen counter at home, lol.

One thing, if you don't mind though...do you have a serial port or do you use usb2serial? I have a Keyspan usb that I will be using tonight, I now have what I believe to be the original OEM Dell serial (female on both ends, black tips, white cable). Could you hook up to that 48 via the COM port and tell me when you see something? I am using the HyperTerminal from old XP - and what I mean is, when you first plug the cable in do you see something or do you need to reboot the switch? I assume you'll see something scroll when the switch boots and then a 'console>' ? I'm just curious WHEN I should be seeing something in the terminal when I get to that point.

Also, how to reset the WebGUI password from the COM port would be nice info...from what I found here, it looks like it might give me options and then I just hit '2' and then tell it to delete the config file?

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/network-switches/f/866/t/19354498

 

[imagoon]

------ Performing the Power-On Self Test (POST) ------

UART Channel Loopback Test........................PASS

Testing the System SDRAM..........................PASS

Boot1 Checksum Test...............................PASS

Boot2 Checksum Test...............................PASS

Flash Image Validation Test.......................PASS



BOOT Software Version 1.0.0.12 Built  08-Feb-2009  17:19:21

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 ######   #################################        ######
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 ################   ##############   ############# ############
 ###############      ##########     ############# ############
 ##############        ########      ############# ############
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                          ##
 Board Type - PowerConnect 2848
 PowerConnect 2848 board based on FireFox 88E6218 ARM946E-S processor
 64 MByte SDRAM. I-Cache 8 KB. D-Cache 8 KB. Cache Enabled.


MAC Address   :  00:25:64:14:40:48.

Autoboot in 2 seconds - press RETURN or Esc. to abort and enter prom.
Preparing to decompress...
 100%
Decompressing SW from image-1
 100%

OK
Running from RAM...
Operational Mode old state managed; new state managed
Operational Mode - mode is managed

*********************************************************************
*** Running  SW  Ver. 1.0.0.33  Date  17-Feb-2009  Time  17:33:52 ***
*********************************************************************

HW version is 00.00.02
Base Mac address is: 00:25:64:14:40:48
Dram size is  : 64M bytes
Dram first block size is  : 46380K bytes
Dram first PTR is  : 0x12B5000
Flash size is: 8M
01-Jan-2000 00:00:04 %CDB-I-LOADCONFIG: Loading startup configuration.
Device configuration:
Slot 1 - PowerConnect 2848

------------------------------------
-- Unit Standalone                --
------------------------------------

Tapi Version: v1.3.3.1
Core Version: v1.3.3.1
01-Jan-2000 00:00:24 %INIT-I-InitCompleted: Initialization task is completed


01-Jan-2000 00:00:24 %Environment-I-FAN-STAT-CHNG: FAN# 1 status changed - opera                    tional.
01-Jan-2000 00:00:24 %Environment-I-FANS-SPEED-CHNG: FAN'S speed level - 0 chang                    ed to level - 1.
01-Jan-2000 00:00:24 %Environment-I-FAN-STAT-CHNG: FAN# 1 status changed - opera                    tional.
01-Jan-2000 00:00:24 %Entity-I-SEND-ENT-CONF-CHANGE-TRAP: entity configuration c                    hange trap.
01-Jan-2000 00:00:24 %SNMP-I-CDBITEMSNUM: Number of startup configuration items                     loaded: 15

00033SW01> 01-Jan-2000 00:00:27 %LINK-W-Down:  g1

00033SW01> en

00033SW01#
  clear                Reset functions
  configure            Enter configuration mode
  copy                 Copy from one file to another
  debug-mode           Exit from the EXEC to debug mode
  exit                 Exit from the EXEC
  help                 Description of the interactive help system
  login                Exit from the EXEC and Log in
  ping                 Send echo messages
  reload               Halt and perform a cold restart
  restore-defaults     Restore device's configuration to default
  show                 Show running system information
00033SW01# restore-defaults
   <CR>

00033SW01# restore-defaults
Restore configuration to default [y/n]?

There is this also: (the escape during boot.) Switch booted to unmanaged from this.

     Startup Menu

[1]  Download Software
[2]  Erase Flash File
[3]  Enter Diagnostic Mode
[4]  Set Terminal Baud-Rate
[5]  Back
 Enter your choice or press 'ESC' to exit:
Warning! About to erase a Flash file.

Are you sure (Y/N) ? y
Write Flash file name (Up to 8 characters, Enter for none.):config
File config (if present) will be erased after system initialization.

==== Press Enter To Continue ====

Exit from boot menu. Continue with flow.
Preparing to decompress...
 100%
Decompressing SW from image-1
 100%

OK
Running from RAM...
About to erase CDB. Terminal baud rate will now be set to default!
Operational Mode First Load. state - Unmanaged
Operational Mode - new mode is unmanaged

*********************************************************************
*** Running  SW  Ver. 1.0.0.33  Date  17-Feb-2009  Time  17:33:52 ***
*********************************************************************

HW version is 00.00.02
Base Mac address is: 00:25:64:14:40:48
Dram size is  : 64M bytes
Dram first block size is  : 46380K bytes
Dram first PTR is  : 0x12B5000
Flash size is: 8M
01-Jan-2000 00:00:06 %CDB-I-LOADCONFIG: Loading startup configuration.
Device configuration:
Slot 1 - PowerConnect 2848

------------------------------------
-- Unit Standalone                --
------------------------------------

Tapi Version: v1.3.3.1
Core Version: v1.3.3.1
01-Jan-2000 00:00:26 %INIT-I-InitCompleted: Initialization task is completed

>

 

[imagoon]

FYI I was right also, depending on the rev it saves the config from manage to unmanage to managed:

"A transition from Unmanaged or Secure mode to Managed mode via the use of the Managed Mode button results in the switch resetting automatically and returning to Managed mode while running the saved configuration (if no configuration exists, then the default configuration is used)"

 

[DigitalCancer]

ok, so that means I DO need to delete that config file IF I can get into it? I've contacted the seller and he said that he would actually send a new one out tomorrow if I need it (which is good) and he would ensure that it's reset for me already. One way or the other! I believe that I'm doing it correctly but there's a matter of the cable so I'll be testing that tonight and if it still doesn't work...I'm going to assume it's a defective port.

I really appreciate all the help and I'll update this thread a little later. ^_^

 

[imagoon]

ok, so that means I DO need to delete that config file IF I can get into it? I've contacted the seller and he said that he would actually send a new one out tomorrow if I need it (which is good) and he would ensure that it's reset for me already. One way or the other! I believe that I'm doing it correctly but there's a matter of the cable so I'll be testing that tonight and if it still doesn't work...I'm going to assume it's a defective port.

I really appreciate all the help and I'll update this thread a little later. ^_^

Looks that way. Differing switch revs do different things it appears. When you do get in, update the firmware if it isn't up to date.

 

[DigitalCancer]

Sorry, for some reason I thought I'd updated this but I guess it slipped my mind.

I WAS able to finally get into it using the other cable. So, fyi, the cables at RadioShack do NOT work (the male/female w/ gender changer nor the usb2male w/ gender changer).

So, after using the correct OEM Dell cable, it booted right in, I hit the enter key at the specified menu item and pressed '2' to delete a file and typed in 'config' and it rebooted and I was in!!

Thanks so much for the help guys!