iPad + serial port??
Does it exist a possibility to connect a serial port COM into a standart connector and listen to this port?
Macbook Pro 13" 2,4GHz - 4GB RAM, Mac OS X (10.6.4)
Probably not. Search Google for one.
15 replies
I don't know what you mean by a "standart connector", but there is no serial port (RS-232 nor USB) on an iPad. There is only the dock connector and the headphone/microphone connector. It might be possible to connect a device to the iPad using the dock connector, but we'd need to know exactly what device you wish to connect before anyone could offer anything in the way of suggestions.
Regards.
Regards.
There are [homemade adapters for the iPhone|http://www.gadgetsdna.com/serial-port-extension-for-iphone-and-ipad/6910 >. It would probably work for the iPad, but you have to jailbreak.
I did see [this one blurb|http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/apple-approves-serial-port -to-dock-connector-design> that a company called Redpark that has approval from Apple. But it looks like they sell to OEMs, so it might be hard to get just one unit and it may or may not come with any software drivers.
I wanted something like this so I can manage Cisco network devices, but I guess I'm sticking with my laptop for now. 😟
I did see [this one blurb|http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/apple-approves-serial-port -to-dock-connector-design> that a company called Redpark that has approval from Apple. But it looks like they sell to OEMs, so it might be hard to get just one unit and it may or may not come with any software drivers.
I wanted something like this so I can manage Cisco network devices, but I guess I'm sticking with my laptop for now. 😟
Dave,
That is absolutely not true.
The iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch and most iPods have a serial port in the dock connector - it's pin 12 and 13. It operates at TTL voltages though, so you can't plug it into a regular serial port on a PC, but if you run it through an RS232-TTL converter, you can watch your iDevice boot up from the iBoot prompt that it presents.
Dock connector pinout for iDevices:
http://pinouts.ru/PortableDevices/ipod_pinout.shtml
You can build your own using a MAX3232 chip, or you can buy a premade one - google for 'iPad serial port'.
That is absolutely not true.
The iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch and most iPods have a serial port in the dock connector - it's pin 12 and 13. It operates at TTL voltages though, so you can't plug it into a regular serial port on a PC, but if you run it through an RS232-TTL converter, you can watch your iDevice boot up from the iBoot prompt that it presents.
Dock connector pinout for iDevices:
http://pinouts.ru/PortableDevices/ipod_pinout.shtml
You can build your own using a MAX3232 chip, or you can buy a premade one - google for 'iPad serial port'.
Oh, I forgot to add that iDevices measure the resistance across the accessory detect pin (and a few others) to figure out what it's plugged into and how to behave. This is the other half to using the serial port as you need a 470kohm resistor bridging pin 21 and GND.
Go back and read what I said, Chris. What I said is completely true - there is no RS-232 nor USB port on an iPad. Look at the iPad; see either? No, you do not, because neither are there. It is possible to get a serial data stream output from the dock connector, but that requires an external adapter, as I said, and for proper advice we would need to know what device the original poster wants to connect.
Check out serialio.com,
http://serialio.com/products/mobile/wifi/WiSnapAAA.php
I'm using this with my iPad for serial access to Ciso routers and switches.
Message was edited by: KimmoH
I'm using this with my iPad for serial access to Ciso routers and switches.
Message was edited by: KimmoH
Could you tell me which iOS framework (api) that you are using on the iPad to perform the serial i/o?
I think it's safe to say that no iOS framework (api) give that type of access and jailbreaking is the only way to make it happen
Hello
Yes it is possible and easier than making you own cable.
I did a post how I set my iPad up to console into Cisco devices.
I use it everyday. Beats having to take even the smallest laptop to data centers.
http://routing-bits.com/2011/01/03/console-to-routers-using-the-ipad/
HTH
Yes it is possible and easier than making you own cable.
I did a post how I set my iPad up to console into Cisco devices.
I use it everyday. Beats having to take even the smallest laptop to data centers.
http://routing-bits.com/2011/01/03/console-to-routers-using-the-ipad/
HTH
Hi, just noticed that there is an app in the App store for exactly this. It is called "Get Console", apparently you will need to buy a specific type of cable (available from redpark). Looks like it might do the job, and you wont need to jailbreak anything.
cheers
cheers
mikes_mac wrote:
Hi, just noticed that there is an app in the App store for exactly this. It is called "Get Console", apparently you will need to buy a specific type of cable (available from redpark). Looks like it might do the job, and you wont need to jailbreak anything.
If you refer to my post above, the problem with the Redpark adapter is they seem to sell to OEMs, so getting just one may be an issue. Can't hurt to ask, but don't hold your breath. (Or buy a thousand and start an eBay company. 😉 )
Redpark have a shop now that lets you buy the cables in single units that work with the Get Console app. Full disclosure - i work for the company that makes Get Console 🙂
simonchope wrote:
Redpark have a shop now that lets you buy the cables in single units that work with the Get Console app. Full disclosure - i work for the company that makes Get Console 🙂
Muchos gracias. You have made my week. 🙂 Interestingly, the cable that is for sale is a "Cisco only" cable terminating in a RJ45 rather than a DB9 as most of the other pictures show. That's fine for me, and I suppose you could make an adapter, but you could have a lot of excess wire if you weren't managing a Cisco box.
I am a proud owner of both the Redpark console cable and the Get Console iOS app which works with my iPad and iPhones.
In addition I purchased from the same site a dB9 adapter dongle which fits on the end of the console cable, for use with those routers that come with that style of console port.
The website also firmly states that the cable works with Juniper series devices.
I am actively trying to drum up interest for this in the corporate telecoms and networking company where I work. There is also a Redpark open-source server solution that would make our lives much easier logging directly on to a remote Cisco or Juniper via a field engineer's iPad rather than trying to talk them through configuration commands. An iPad with a 3G/4G cellular SIM and armed with this console technology would thus be very useful to us!
Message was edited by: airmanchairman
iPad + serial port??