Will the Serial Console Ever Die?

simpz writes "Will the serial port as a console connection ever be displaced — especially for devices such as switches, routers, SAN boxes, etc.? In one sense it's a simple connection. But it is the only current port that, in order to use, you need to know about wiring / baud rates / parity, etc. It has non-standard pinouts. And it is becoming too slow to upload firmware to dead devices, as the firmware updates get larger. Also, the serial port is rapidly disappearing from new laptops — which is where you often really need it, in data centers. Centronics, PS/2, and current loop are mostly defunct. Is there any sign on the horizon of a USB console connection?"

Comments

No! RS232 can't die!

[bkeahl]

I mean, it's the ultimate standard. Right? 2,3,7 - swap 2&3 if things don't work. Well, there is sometimes that pesky DTR signal, so sometimes you have to hook up 20. Unless you swap 2 and 3, in which case you need to swap pins 20 and 6 too. Then, sometimes you need DSR, so just hook up six. Unless you swapped 2 and 3, then you have to swap 6 and twenty for that. Of course, then there's the device that emulates a MODEM and you have to hook up CD ... Yeah, serial interfacing is just so straight forward and simple, we can't get rid of it! :)