I just came in possession of the above named device, a CISCO product, with the aim of being able to connect to a network using the COM1 port. The device seems to be a COM1 to ethernet converter/adapter. However, I've been unable to get it to work. Has anyone ever made use of this device? And if so, how do I configure it? I want to use it on a Windows 2000 system. Thanks.

Made use of it.......lol........looking at one right now connecting my PC to my Cisco 2900 XL switch. We have a ton of them at work. It's a "console cable" that allows you to connect to a cisco device and configure it. You need to use a term program like HyperTermial to access the IOS once you're plugged into the Cisco device. Make sure when setting up the Terminal session you pick the correct COM port.

looks more like they have the cable and nothing else...no networking that way. Golly gee wilerkers everyone! Learn to Internet Search

no kidding........lol........yeah, you kind of need a cisco device to connect it to for it to be worth anything.......lol

Oh geez....my mistake, I just reread the post. NO, you can't connect to a network with that. It's a serial (COM) port connector with an RJ-45 at one end and a DB9 (female) connector at the other end. First, a serial cable is wired differently than a network cable. Second, it would be slower than molasses in winter if it did work. Smarter to spend a couple $ on a NIC and cable (crossover or straight through depending on what you're connecting to)

I think the "COM" port he his actually talking about is an Ethernet AUI port. I don't recall any Cisco router having COM console ports, they have rj45 console ports. These AUI ports are very common in low-end, cheap routers (like the 2500 series) To connect that port to the network, you need an adapter (like this one: http://www.costcentral.com/proddetail/APC_Transceiver/3471/282061/) Note that AUI ports are only 10baseT in speed.

Disregard my above post. You have in your possesion a DB9 to RJ45 adapter used to access console ports.