iPad serial cable and terminal application
Chuck | February 5, 2010 | 41 comments
As in IT guy, I’m constantly configuring switches, routers and firewalls. Many times doing it from a console connection. It would be great to have a iPad-2-Serial adaptor, along with a customized terminal application. OK, this may not be a solution for the masses, but hey, this is my blog, and it’s what I’d do if I ran Apple.
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Category: Accessories, Applications
Please Apple see this blog!!!!!! I too am a it professional and would love to have this functionality with my Ipad”
Glad someone else out there can see the need.
I too would love this. I understand that Redpark has an apple approved reference design for OEM manufacturers to build this. I have yet to see an actual product though
I have just started researching this very topic; wanting an ipad to use for consoling into switches and other IT devices. I saw redpark’s dock connector to DB9 and am going to contact them with the hopes of being able to find one or learn how to build it. THEN, need to find someone to build a terminal app or something like ZTerm.
I used ZTerm for a long time, but I’ve been using Zoc6 now. Maybe the folks at http://www.emtec.com can do an iPad version.
I’d also like this to use the iPad as a device to retrieve data from microcontrollers. Need to connect this device to the real world for sensors.
Im just waiting for an jailbreak then this will be totally possible just by using a terminal app and some serial emulator like kermit, minicom or screen.
To build a serial connector is no problem, the dock has a special pin for it:
http://pinouts.ru/PortableDevices/ipod_pinout.shtml
Let me know how that works out for you. I’d really like to have this solution.
Did anyone know if there are any news regarding the ipads connections to the cisco’s console? I would really like something like this!
It would be really convenient to have 30-pin to serial cable for an iPad. The iPad itself is made to be used in all sorts of ways, and I believe connecting to routers, switches, firewalls etc is a perfectly reasonable application for such a lightweight device. I can already be used to accept credit card payments (Square), so why not network troubleshooting right? With the international release and already a lot of terminal applications out hopefully we will see various cable products available soon.
Ditto all of above. As soon as I can get a good serial/console connection and ssh, my thinkpad is history.
I haven’t seen the keyboard dock yet, but if you had one of those for days when you needed to do a lot of keyboarding you’d be se.
I work in IT as well. This would be terrific!
I’ve tried this with the iPhone: The dock connector conatains signal for a standard serial connection. I used an old siemens mobile serial data cable for voltage level conversion (3.3 to +/-12V RS232 levels) and exchanged the siemens connector with an Apple dock connector. On the iPhone you need a jailbreak to access the serial connection. Just use Mobile Terminal and the (unix) minicom (install via cydia) to connect to a serial device.
I still have to try this on the ipad. It should work if the iPad dock connector still offers the serial signals…
What about using an USB to serial adapter with the iPad camera adapter USB ?
USB has a serial profile, may be it is supported by the OS (the audio profile is).
Anyone go this route yet? I have a camera kit I might try looking around for my usb-to-serial cable and try it. But I’m not sure how useful it would be if my iPad is not jailbroken…
I was just discussing a moment ago how the ability to have a Terminal.app-like, well, app is a deal breaker for Me. I believe, along with Corey Doctorow, in the Maker’s manifesto: if I can’t hack it, I don’t own it. If Apple came out with a Terminal.app feature *today*, I’d rush right down to the Apple store and buy an iPad. This capability makes all the difference in the world for Me.
Ditto, the second there is a terminal app for serial I’ll have ipads for all my techs.
UGH! I feel so faked out. My first gogle search was Zterm for iPAD I saw your pic and though sweet. But that is a wish list. I am glad I am not the only one hoping for Apple to make this a reality. Good BLOG and I hope it come true.
I wonder if anyone has tried this cable to see if it works for the ipad ?
http://bestcelldist.com/apple_iphone_serial_data_cable_flexserial.html
Any news on the serial interface? I’m into robot controllers. All my robots use serial communication. I would like to write an iPad app to teach and operate the robots.
Ok, I have been reading this blog for some time waiting for the serial cable or an update. Well, I was bored the other day and here is what I found. I only provide this as information. I plugged my keyspan serial adapter (USA-19HS) into my macbook air and started ZTerm. I then plugged my other keyspan adapter into the camera connection kit on my ipad. The power light does not light up. So, I tried an older usb serial adapter (Belkin F5U409) into the camera connection kit. The belkin adapter powers on/The link light is on. I also get the “The attached USB device is not supported”. Using a db9 Null modem adapter in between both adapters I am able to do a “Send Break” from ZTerm and the RX light on the belkin adapter flashes. Nothing happens on the iPad. I will now try different speeds on the ZTerm/macbook air side and see if anything happens. If people are interested I will post my results. Or maybe this will spark someone else with an idea.
Sorry for the long post.
I’m interested!
Any traction on this subject? RedPark has the cables…. (cant figure out where to buy them though).
If we could an iPad to work for serial I/O, we would junk our netbooks we haul around. Serial communication is still used by many companies for accessing devices. Using an iPad for this would be heaven. I’m not a programmer so I couldnt write an app for it ( if I was a programmer I would go hide in my cave and not come out till I had an app running).
I got almost everything on my ipad for fieldwork, SSH2 client, VPN works, small stand and keyboard. Except a terminal program and a serial cable
The idea is so simple, if its out, I’ll buy it.
Hope it will hit the market soon….or at least throw some news to the world…
Just checked RedPArks site and its looking good
October Update
We are working within Apple’s Made for iPod (MFI) program to develop several cables/adapters that allow an app on an iPhone/iPad/iPod touch to communicate with a serial device. Our cables comply with all Apple’s specs and do not require you to jailbreak the phone.
As we announced in the February press release, we provide cables to other brands on an OEM basis. Following a change in Apple’s policies this summer, we will also be selling a few cable SKUs under the Redpark brand.
At this stage we are working with iOS app developers who have a use for serial connectivity. We offer Eval Kits for use in developing commercial apps.
We expect to release cables later this quarter. Cables will be designed to work with specific iPhone/iPod/iPad apps (in order to comply with Apple MFI policies).
Pricing and sales channels have not yet been announced.
I have not tried it yet but check out WiSnap at this site:
http://www.appolicious.com/curated-apps/385-network-and-system-admin-tools-for-the-ipadiphone
What about stepping it up a notch… use a RS-232 to Bluetooth Serial adaptor and a custom written Terminal application on the iPad that could communicate with it?
http://aaxeon.com/s.nl/it.A/id.2199/.f
On the iPad side what would you use to open the COM port?
check this also.
http://www.usconverters.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=70&products_id=216
I already ordered.
I came back with review.
I am a ham radio operator and we comunicate with many devices that use simple db9 terminal commands so this would be super.
iSSH has a nice looking terminal program.
somethine else that would be nice would be have a serial conector that talks to the ipad using a bluetooth or other wireless connection.
I contacted redpark and they inform me that the serial adapter is ready and the app by an independent developer is in with the app store to be signed off.
They tell me that they will contact me when it is in the app store and where to get the cable. So fingers crossed Apple let it through.
I am using my iPad everyday to console onto Cisco Routers and Switches.
I did a post here:
http://routing-bits.com/2011/01/03/console-to-routers-using-the-ipad/
hth
Found the following. It states the you need to buy the RedPark cable. But the app only works with cisco equipment.
Looks like a good start.
http://itunes.apple.com/app/get-console/id412067943?mt=8
I purchased the Redpark cable and the get console app from the app store. I testedf it out on Juniper firewall and routers and it works. BUt its a pricey solution to console into network gear to configure and troubleshoot. Just a matter of priority I guess.
I have heard from a reliable source that even though the Get Console App and RedPark cable state that it only works on a Cisco router, it will work on other non-Cisco devices. I have ordered my cable and bought the Get Console app and will report my findings.
There is an official app called Get Console in the app store. Costs €8,- for the terminal software and another € 60,- for the iPad to Cisco RJ45 cable.
I too would love to use the Ipad 2 as a maintenance tool for both routers and switches, as well as telephone systems using serial interface and vt100 terminal imulation. I would also like to have an adaptor for ethernet as well.
You can find what you need at:
http://www.get-console.com/
You buy the app fronm the itunes store and the cable.
It’s great.
I’m not a router programer; I need to use Xterm, Yterm, Kermit, something like that—on an iPad—to communicate with a TNC. Will this €68 setup do that?
Thanks in advance.