Payment Methods
1. Lipa Na M-PESA
Paybill No.: 5450522
Account No.: M
2. Cash on delivery
3. Cash on collection
UGREEN CM204 USB-A to RJ45 Console Cable 1.5M | FTDI FT232RL Chipset | RS232 Serial Protocol | 4KV ESD Guard
Configure Cisco, MikroTik, Ubiquiti and Huawei switches straight from your laptop terminal window — no bulky adapters, no driver hunting
Condition: New
Note: price and availability are subject to change without prior notice
UGREEN CM204 USB-A to RJ45 Console Cable 1.5M is in stock now at Mascom International for KSh 2,200, built around the FTDI FT232RL chipset and carrying UGREEN's UG-50773 part number. The UGREEN CM204 links any standard USB-A port on your laptop or desktop to the RJ45 console socket found on routers, switches, and firewalls. It supports RS232 serial communication across baud rates from 75 to 115200 bit/s, with USB-side transfer reaching 1Mbps. Collect the UGREEN CM204 at Old Mutual Building, First Floor Room 4, Kimathi Street, Nairobi CBD. Every unit is brand new and sealed in UGREEN factory packaging.
Network administrators, ISP field technicians, systems integrators, and county government ICT officers all face the same problem: modern laptops dropped the DB-9 serial port years ago, but the switches and routers sitting in Kenya's comms rooms still expect one. The UGREEN CM204 closes that gap with a single cable instead of a serial adapter stacked onto a USB converter. University IT departments in Nairobi, hotel network teams along the coast, and CCTV installers configuring NVR uplinks all reach for the same connection method. When a MikroTik router loses its configuration at midnight, console access is the only way back in.
Unlike typical electronics retailers in Kenya who stock unbranded console cables built on cloned chips, Mascom International supplies the UGREEN CM204 with its genuine FTDI FT232RL silicon intact. Technicians consistently report that cloned chips stop working after Windows driver updates block them, usually mid-job. At Mascom International, we're seeing steady demand from ISPs pushing fibre coverage deeper into Nakuru, Kisumu, and Eldoret. Walk into our Kimathi Street store to test the UGREEN CM204 against your own laptop and switch before paying, or order it for pay-on-arrival delivery anywhere in the country.
Common Questions About the UGREEN CM204 USB-A to RJ45 Console Cable
What does the UGREEN CM204 console cable actually do?
It turns your laptop's USB-A port into an RS232 serial console connection, terminating in an RJ45 plug that fits the CONSOLE socket on network hardware. The FT232RL chip inside handles translation between USB data and serial signalling. You open a terminal program, select the COM port the cable creates, and you are typing directly into the device's command line even when the unit has no IP address, no configuration loaded, or a forgotten password.
Which network devices does the UGREEN CM204 work with?
Any device with an RJ45 console port following the standard Cisco DTE pinout. That covers Cisco routers and switches, MikroTik, Ubiquiti, Juniper, Fortinet firewalls, TP-Link managed switches, Huawei, ZTE, H3C, D-Link, and HP ProCurve hardware. Wireless LAN controllers and load balancers use the same socket. Rack servers with serial management headers connect the same way. Check your device manual for the port marked CONSOLE on Cisco equipment it is usually coloured light blue.
Do I need to install drivers on Windows 11 or macOS?
No driver download is needed on Windows 8, 10, and 11, or on current macOS releases. FTDI drivers ship inside the operating system and the cable holds Microsoft HCL certification. Linux distributions load the ftdi_sio kernel module automatically and expose the cable as /dev/ttyUSB0. Plug it in, open Device Manager on Windows to confirm the assigned COM number, then start your terminal session. Older Windows 7 machines may still need FTDI's driver package.
Why does the FTDI chipset matter compared to cheaper console cables?
Genuine FTDI FT232RL silicon keeps working after operating system updates. Many low-cost console cables sold around Nairobi use cloned chips that Windows driver updates deliberately disable, leaving technicians stranded mid-configuration. The FT232RL also holds a steady clock through long terminal sessions, so a 45-minute switch stack upgrade does not drop characters or freeze the window. UGREEN pairs it with a ZT213 line driver that produces correct RS232 voltage levels.
What baud rate and terminal settings should I use?
Start with 9600 baud, 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit, and no flow control — the default on most Cisco, MikroTik, and TP-Link hardware. Some newer switches boot their console at 115200 instead. The CM204 covers the full 75 to 115200 bit/s range. PuTTY on Windows, screen or minicom on Linux, and the built-in Terminal on macOS all work. Garbled characters mean a baud mismatch, not a dead cable.
Is 1.5 metres long enough for rack work?
For most comms cabinets, yes. The 1.5-metre length reaches from a laptop resting on a rack shelf or trolley to equipment mounted several units above or below it. The flat ribbon profile slides between densely packed patch panels without kinking, and coils flat into a tool bag. If you regularly work from a desk positioned away from the cabinet, UGREEN also produces a 3-metre version under part number 60813.
Can the UGREEN CM204 be used as a normal Ethernet cable?
No. Despite the RJ45 plug, this is a serial console cable, not a network patch cable. The eight conductors carry RS232 signals RTS, DTR, TXD, ground, RXD, DSR, and CTS rather than Ethernet data pairs. Plugging it into a standard LAN port will not damage anything, but no link will come up. Use it only on ports marked CONSOLE. Mascom International stocks Cat6 patch cables separately for network runs.
How does the CM204 hold up in Kenyan working conditions?
Built-in protection circuitry absorbs electrostatic discharge up to 4KV, which matters when hot-plugging into live equipment during the dry season or at dusty upcountry sites. The nickel-plated USB connector resists oxidation in coastal humidity around Mombasa and Malindi. Eight conductors twisted in pairs shield the signal from interference thrown off by inverters, generators, and UPS units that sit alongside racks in most Kenyan server rooms.
Is the UGREEN CM204 worth KSh 2,200 in Kenya's market?
Unbranded console cables sell for less around River Road, but replacement cost adds up quickly when a cloned chip stops working after a driver update. At KSh 2,200 the CM204 sits far below the cost of a site callout for a fault that console access could have cleared remotely. Mascom International lets you test the cable on your own hardware in-store before paying, with warranty cover stated below.
Technical Specifications
Chipset and Serial Signal Handling
- FTDI FT232RL chipset converts USB data into RS232 serial signalling with stable timing across long terminal sessions
- ZT213 line driver produces correct RS232 voltage levels for dependable communication with console ports on network hardware
- Baud rate range covers 75 to 115200 bit/s, matching every common console default across router and switch brands
- USB-side transfer speed reaches 1Mbps, far beyond what scrolling console text output demands during configuration work
- Supports handshake protocol, remote wake-up, and host power management features built into the FTDI silicon
- No-load standby current draw sits near 8.8mA, taking negligible battery from a laptop during field work
Connector Types and Pinout Layout
- USB 2.0 Type-A male connector plugs into laptops, desktops, docking stations, and self-powered USB hubs
- Backward compatible with the USB 1.1 specification for older office desktops still running legacy management software
- RJ45 8P8C male crystal head with retention clip seats firmly in console sockets without working loose
- DTE pinout follows the standard layout: RTS on pin 1, DTR on pin 2, TXD on pin 3
- Grounds occupy pins 4 and 5, with RXD on 6, DSR on 7, and CTS on 8
- Nickel-plated USB contacts resist oxidation and hold consistent conductivity through repeated plug and unplug cycles
Device and Operating System Compatibility
- Works with Cisco, MikroTik, Ubiquiti, Juniper, Fortinet, TP-Link, Huawei, ZTE, H3C, D-Link, and HP ProCurve
- Covers routers, managed switches, firewalls, wireless LAN controllers, load balancers, and rack servers with serial headers
- Windows 8, 10, and 11 recognise the cable without a driver download, carrying Microsoft HCL certification
- macOS loads the FTDI driver natively while Linux exposes the cable through the ftdi_sio kernel module
- Supports both 32-bit and 64-bit installations, covering older machines still in service across Kenyan offices
- Compatible with PuTTY, Tera Term, SecureCRT, minicom, screen, and the Terminal application on macOS
Cable Construction and Daily Durability
- Flat ribbon PVC jacket resists kinking and slides between packed patch panels inside crowded comms cabinets
- 1.5-metre length reaches from a laptop on a rack shelf to equipment several units away
- Eight-core internal structure with conductors twisted in pairs reduces electromagnetic interference from nearby power equipment
- 32AWG copper conductors hold signal integrity across the full run without noticeable voltage drop at either end
- Black flat profile coils neatly into a technician's tool bag without tangling around patch leads and testers
- Strain relief moulding at both connector ends absorbs the repeated flexing that kills cheaper console cables
Electrical Protection and Power Supply
- Built-in ESD protection circuit withstands electrostatic discharge up to 4KV during hot-plugging into live equipment
- Protection circuitry shields the FT232RL chip from static damage common at dry, dusty upcountry installation sites
- Bus-powered directly from the host USB port, requiring no external adapter, battery, or mains connection
- Draws power only from the computer side, so it never back-feeds voltage into network equipment console ports
- Twisted-pair shielding limits interference from inverters, generators, and UPS units running alongside racks in Kenyan facilities
- Passive design with no internal battery means nothing to charge, replace, or fail before a site visit
Terminal Setup and Working Method
- Plug the USB end into your laptop and check Device Manager for the newly assigned COM port number
- Connect the RJ45 end to the socket marked CONSOLE, usually light blue on Cisco switches and routers
- Open PuTTY, select Serial, enter the COM number, and set speed to 9600 or 115200 baud
- Configure 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit, and no flow control for standard console access
- Garbled characters on screen indicate a baud rate mismatch rather than a faulty cable or damaged port
- Console access works even when the device has no IP address, lost configuration, or forgotten login credentials
Package Contents
- UGREEN CM204 USB-A to RJ45 console cable, 1.5 metres, black flat ribbon finish
- UGREEN user manual with pinout diagram and terminal setup steps
- Mascom International receipt and warranty card
Note:The CM204 ships as a single-cable product with no adapters or software discs required, since FTDI drivers already live inside Windows, macOS, and Linux. Mascom International stocks Cat6 patch cables and USB-C to USB-A adapters for laptops without a full-size port separately at our Kimathi Street counter.
Warranty
The UGREEN CM204 USB-A to RJ45 Console Cable carries a 6-month Mascom International warranty on manufacturing defects under normal use. Coverage extends to chipset failure, connector faults, and internal conductor breaks. Physical damage from crushing, cutting, or liquid exposure falls outside the terms. Our Nairobi CBD service desk handles claims directly, with no courier return to a distant centre required.
Buying the UGREEN CM204 Console Cable from Mascom International
Mascom International stocks the UGREEN CM204 USB-A to RJ45 Console Cable 1.5M in black at our Nairobi CBD location: Old Mutual Building, First Floor Room 4, Kimathi Street. Walk in Monday through Saturday between 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM to plug the cable into your own laptop and switch before committing to the purchase.
Three ways to order:
- Call/WhatsApp +254 708 852 521
- Email info@mascomintl.com
- Order through www.mascomintl.com
Pay-on-arrival delivery reaches every Kenyan county. Nairobi and its environs receive the cable the same day. Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Eldoret, Nyeri, Kakamega, and all other major towns receive it within 1 business day. Mandera, Wajir, Marsabit, Lamu, Tana River, and Turkana receive delivery within 2-3 business days. You inspect the cable and pay only when it arrives.
Every unit comes with the 6-month Mascom warranty stated above.
ISPs, systems integrators, and corporate IT teams across Kenya rely on Mascom International for accurate specifications, current market pricing, and after-sales support handled from a real Nairobi CBD counter rather than a phone number that stops answering.
Disclaimer: We can not guarantee that the information on this product is 100% correct
Full description here
SOCIAL MEDIA