Avoid downloading these drivers from third-party "driver update" websites. These files can often contain malware or outdated versions that may cause system instability or connection drops during critical configuration tasks. How to Install the ASR 9xx USB Console Drivers
Extract the contents of the downloaded .zip archive to a local folder.
Note: You generally need a Cisco Connection Online (CCO) account to download these files. Installation Steps for Windows
To download the official, safe version, you should always go to the Cisco Software Central website: Navigate to the Cisco Support & Downloads page. Search for "USB Console Software." asr9xxusbconsoledriverszip
Dual-Port Support: Most ASR 9xx routers have both an RJ-45 and a USB console port. Note that the USB port takes precedence; if both are plugged in, the USB port will be the active management interface.
This guide explains what this driver package contains, why it is necessary, and how to safely install it on Windows and macOS. What is the ASR 900 USB Console Driver?
A: The USB console is faster and works well for initial setup. However, the RJ45 console (using a traditional blue Cisco rollover cable) is more reliable in electrically noisy environments and does not require any drivers if you have a USB-to-DB9 adapter. Note: You generally need a Cisco Connection Online
Many users assume that generic USB-to-serial drivers (like those for Prolific or FTDI chips) will work. This is a common mistake. The ASR 900 series uses a proprietary implementation of the Silicon Labs CP2102N chip. Without the exact driver package—or a very recent version of Silicon Labs’ universal driver—your operating system will:
The ASR 900 series often has both an RJ-45 Console port and a USB Console port.
Accessing the correct driver requires a few essential prerequisites. Follow these steps carefully. Note that the USB port takes precedence; if
sudo cp /tmp/asr_drivers/Linux/99-asr9k-console.rules /etc/udev/rules.d/
Once the driver is installed and the cable is connected, your terminal emulator (like or Tera Term ) should be configured with the following settings: Properly Installing Cisco USB Console Driver
While asr9xxusbconsoledrivers.zip is Windows-centric, the archive sometimes includes instructions for other OSes.
Modern laptops often lack DB9 serial ports, making the USB console interface the standard for network engineers. Below is a comprehensive guide on locating, installing, and troubleshooting these drivers. What is the ASR9xx USB Console Driver?
In the world of high-end service provider routing, few platform names command as much respect as the Cisco ASR 9000 Series. Designed for massive scale, high availability, and deep software programmability, these routers form the backbone of many ISP, data center, and enterprise WAN cores. However, before you can deploy BGP policies, MPLS segments, or segment routing, you must perform one critical, low-level task: establish console access.