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Wireless Serial Convertor

WR703N Project Box’s

I’ve been inserting the WR703N’s into cases to make them more durable and less ‘touchy-feely’. The Serial to Wireless convertor – used when configuring Cisco switches, you an configure and upgrade the IOS on using it. This has been great for large installs then having to setup 20+ switches. Benefits include being able to sit comfortably at a desk while setting it up, and it runs off a phone backup battery so it doesn’t need to be plugged into a power outlet or USB – general run time is  > 2-3hrs. The case/enclosure allows it to be hanging from a switch without caring a lot for it’s safety. It can take bumps and drops very well. The external connections are RS232, Ethernet, and the hole on the right is for a micro USB power cable.… Read More »WR703N Project Box’s

Close up with GPS & Mac address's blured

WR703N – 1.5inch Digital Photo Frame (DPF)

Please be aware this guide has incomplete information, and is very generalized. Ok, now I’ve got a reliable testing unit up and running – tested it for over a week. During that time I wanted to know if it had kernel panic’d or if the GPS had dropped out etc… So I looked into a few options: The easiest was to use telnet on from a laptop and just leave the screen open, this has other problems like battery life, bulky, heavy, and is over kill because you might as well just use the laptop. 16×2 character display LCD module, would work ok, although you’d have to convert it to use serial USB input. Total cost would be over $30 AUD or so. Possibly use bluetooth and connect to a tty through a virtual serial… Read More »WR703N – 1.5inch Digital Photo Frame (DPF)

Insert PCB's back into the case and resolder leads

TP-Link WR703N USB Mod

Read this post on installing an internal USB hub into a WR703N. The main difference I have is the WR703N I’m currently working on is just for prototyping (I have 3 more in the mail), I want all USB ports external to allow for different device testing. I was able to find the same USB hubs on eBay. Found a post that explains how to safely open the case. Once open you can see this is version 1.6 of the router, although the main PCB has version 1.1 on it…?? Dismantled the USB hub and desoldered the USB leads. Used a pen knife to slice thin strips of plastic of the leads to make them fit in the USB hole that already exists. De-soldered the on board USB connecter and connected the USB hub PCB into… Read More »TP-Link WR703N USB Mod

Cisco 3500XL PSU Fix

This is just a proof of concept/quick hack; I’ve recently been given a dead Cisco 3500XL. Plug the power cable in and I got no action, no fans, no lights, etc.. Removed the lid and looked inside: The power cables appear to be the same colors as a molex connector, so just like the Dell 2600 Series Sata Mod I decided there’s nothing to lose by giving it a go. As normal, the yellow cable is 12V+, blacks are ground, and red is 5V. Short the ATX PSU’s Pin 14 to 15 (PS_ON and COM), then watch the magic happen. Yes it booted fine the first time, but after “cleaning up” the wiring, one of the cables must have come loose, hence the fault pic below. After properly checking the cables again, it booted fine… Read More »Cisco 3500XL PSU Fix