[Solved] How to use the USB-C serial console on OpenWrt One

[neolorry]

Hi. I just got my OpenWrt One and it's really a nice router. I'm wondering how to get the USB-C Serial console on the device works?

I have tried connecting the One to my PC via a normal USB-C data cable, but my PC didn't detect any new device. Do I have to use some special cables like this? https://www.startech.com/en-eu/cards-adapters/icusb232c

Thanks!

[frollic]

it's supposed to "simply work" - OpenWrt One - Setup, Install, and Discussion - #16 by hiurequeiroz, try a different USB-C cable.

[psherman]

Are you looking for the connection parameters? It looks to be 115200 8-N-1.

The UART chip is built-in, so you should only need to connect a USB cable between your host and your OpenWrt One device, then fire up an app for serial port access (PuTTY is often used on Windows, Screen or others on Linux or Mac OS).

[andyboeh]

This only works if you have a "real" USB-C PD USB port, capable of delivering 15V since the device is also powered via USB-C. If you use an USB-A to USB-C cable, the OpenWrt One will not receive adequate power.

Edit: Seems like I was wrong here, the OpenWrt One does have separate USB-C ports for power and serial. I confused it with my BananaPi R3 Mini.

[neolorry]

Thanks for your replies. I managed to get it work by using another PC and a USB-A to USB-C data cable, so there was most likely a problem in the previous C-to-C data cable.

Very nice serial console boot menu. Love it:)

[andyboeh]

@neolorry

I managed to get it work by using another PC and a USB-A to USB-C data cable

It worked with this cable and no additional power supply/PoE?

[_bernd]

Huh? Why? Based on the pictures, I see a front side USB c port for power and the USB c port on the back seams to be the serial port, so why should it not work with one cable for power and another one for serial?

[andyboeh]

Uh, my bad. I confused the OpenWrt One with my BananaPi R3 Mini, that one only has one USB-C port. Serial only works if the computer can supply enough power via PD. I edited my original answer.

[valuequest]

@psherman

The UART chip is built-in, so you should only need to connect a USB cable between your host and your OpenWrt One device, then fire up an app for serial port access

For what it may be worth the Holtek Semiconductor, inc. LGT8F328P Microprocessor device in the OpenWrt One shows up in the device tree in Linux on my machine as /dev/ttyACM0.