Help us improve your experience.

Let us know what you think.

Do you have time for a two-minute survey?

 
ON THIS PAGE
 

Connecting the QFX5230-64CD to External Devices

Connect a Device to a Network for Out-of-Band Management

Ensure that you have an Ethernet cable that has an RJ-45 connector at either end.

Figure 1: RJ-45 Connector on an Ethernet CableDrawing of an RJ45 connector for Ethernet cables.

You can monitor and manage a network device, such as a router or a switch, by using a dedicated management channel. Each device has a management port to which you can connect an Ethernet cable with an RJ-45 connector. Use the management port to connect the device to the management device.

To connect a device to a network for out-of-band management:

  1. Connect one end of the Ethernet cable to the management port on the device.
  2. Connect the other end of the Ethernet cable to the management device.
Network diagram showing a device's management port connected to a management network cloud, linking to multiple management PCs for monitoring and configuration.

Connect a Device to a Management Console Using an RJ‑45 Connector

Ensure that you have an Ethernet cable that has an RJ-45 connector at either end and an RJ-45-to-DB-9 serial port adapter.

Figure 2: RJ-45 Connector on an Ethernet Cable Drawing of an RJ45 connector for Ethernet cables.
Note:
We no longer include the RJ-45 console cable with the DB-9 adapter as part of the device package. If the console cable and adapter are not included in your device package, or if you need a different type of adapter, you can order the following separately:
  • RJ-45 to DB-9 adapter (JNP-CBL-RJ45-DB9)
  • RJ-45 to USB-A adapter (JNP-CBL-RJ45-USBA)
  • RJ-45 to USB-C adapter (JNP-CBL-RJ45-USBC)

If you want to use RJ-45 to USB-A or RJ-45 to USB-C adapter, you must have X64 (64-Bit) Virtual COM port (VCP) driver installed on your PC. See https://ftdichip.com/drivers/vcp-drivers/ to download the driver.
Note:

If your laptop or desktop PC does not have a DB-9 plug connector pin and you want to connect your laptop or desktop PC directly to the device, use a combination of the RJ-45-to-DB-9 socket adapter and a USB-to-DB-9 plug adapter. You must provide the USB-to-DB-9 plug adapter.

You can configure and manage your network devices using a dedicated management channel. Each device has a console port that you can connect to using an Ethernet cable with an RJ-45 connector. Use the console port to connect the device to the console server or management console. The console port accepts a cable that has an RJ-45 connector.

To connect the device to a management console:

  1. Connect one end of the Ethernet cable to the console port (labeled CON, CONSOLE, or CON1) on the device.
  2. Connect the other end of the Ethernet cable to the console server (see Figure 3) or management console (see Figure 4).
Figure 3: Connect a Device to a Management Console Through a Console ServerBasic network setup with console port, console server, and PC; illustrates connection flow from PC to console port via console server.
Figure 4: Connect a Device Directly to a Management ConsolePC connected to console port via cable for network device configuration highlighted by green circle.

Related Documentation