Cradlepoint 170873-000 USB to RS-232 Serial Cable
Overview
The Cradlepoint 170873-000 is a serial adapter cable designed to bridge USB connectivity on Cradlepoint routers and IoT gateways with legacy RS-232 devices. This cable spans 40 cm (1.3 feet) in length, making it suitable for field installations where serial device integration is required without excessive cable runs. The straightforward USB Type-A to DB9 female configuration enables technicians to connect modems, terminal servers, serial sensors, and other legacy equipment directly to modern Cradlepoint network appliances — a practical solution when facility infrastructure includes older serial-based systems that can't easily be replaced.
Key Features
- USB Type-A Male Connector: Plugs into any standard USB port on Cradlepoint routers or compatible gateways. This eliminates the need for proprietary connectors and allows the cable to be used across multiple device families within the Cradlepoint product line.
- RS-232 DB9 Female Connector: Accepts standard DB9 male plugs found on serial modems, data logging equipment, access control panels, and older network appliances. No adapters or passive gender changers needed for direct connection.
- 1.3-foot (40 cm) Cable Length: Compact length reduces cable clutter in equipment racks and wall-mounted router installations while remaining long enough to reach adjacent serial devices. If longer runs are needed, you'll need to evaluate external serial ports or alternative cabling strategies.
- Black Jacket: Standard industrial-grade cable color that blends into typical infrastructure wiring and matches common network equipment finishes.
- Legacy Device Support: Enables integration of terminal servers, modem configuration ports, serial sensors, and industrial serial interfaces — particularly valuable in warehouses, telecom hubs, and hybrid legacy/modern network environments where equipment retirement cycles differ.
- Field-Ready Configuration: Ships ready to use without configuration steps, drivers, or setup tools. Insert into USB port and connect to your serial device immediately.
Integration & Compatibility
This cable integrates with Cradlepoint wireless routers and IoT gateways that expose USB ports for serial connectivity. Common deployment contexts include remote site installations requiring modem control, data center equipment interconnect where serial console access is mandated, and warehouse automation environments where legacy hardware must communicate with modern network infrastructure. The 170873-000 (often searched as 170873 000) is particularly useful in field service scenarios where technician trucks carry pre-assembled integration kits for rapid site commissioning.
When to Choose a Different Configuration
If you require cable lengths exceeding 40 cm, evaluate external industrial serial port modules or powered serial hubs that can extend range over greater distances. For applications demanding multiple simultaneous serial connections, consider Cradlepoint's modular serial expansion options rather than multiple USB cables. If your serial devices require 9-pin male-to-male connections, you'll need a passive gender-change coupler in addition to the 170873-000.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the Cradlepoint 170873-000 compatible with non-Cradlepoint routers?
A: This cable is designed for Cradlepoint devices with USB serial support. While the USB and DB9 connectors are standard, compatibility with other brands depends on their USB-to-serial driver support and feature availability. Verify with your device manufacturer before purchasing for cross-brand use.
Q: What serial protocols does the 170873-000 support?
A: As a passive cable, the 170873-000 supports any serial protocol compatible with RS-232 signaling (9600 baud to typical serial rates). The cable itself is protocol-agnostic and will work with modems, terminal servers, sensors, and other RS-232 equipment.
Q: Can I extend the 40 cm cable length for longer runs?
A: RS-232 signals degrade over distance beyond 50 feet in typical installations. For runs longer than the 1.3-foot standard length, consult your Cradlepoint system architect or evaluate powered serial repeaters and industrial serial hubs.
Q: Is a power supply required for the 170873-000?
A: No. This is a passive USB-to-serial cable. It draws minimal power from the USB port and requires no external power supply or battery.
Q: What's the warranty on the 170873-000?
A: Standard manufacturer warranty applies. Consult the product documentation or contact your distributor for warranty terms and coverage details.
Q: Does the 170873-000 come with software or drivers?
A: Cradlepoint routers handle USB serial detection natively. No driver installation is required on the router side. If used with a computer for testing or configuration, standard USB serial drivers in Windows, macOS, or Linux will recognize the connection.
Ted PerryPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
The Cradlepoint 170873-000 solves a specific integration problem that shows up repeatedly in field deployments: legacy serial equipment that won't die gracefully. Whether it's a modem that controls backup connectivity, a meter that logs consumption data over serial, or an access control panel hard-wired to RS-232, the 170873-000 bridges the gap between modern router infrastructure and older serial-only devices without requiring wholesale equipment replacement.
Technical Highlights:
- USB Type-A to DB9 Female Configuration: Standard connector pairing means technicians can assemble cable runs quickly in the field. No proprietary adapters, no hunting through bins for gender changers. Just plug and commission.
- 40 cm Length (1.3 feet): Short enough to minimize clutter in rack-mounted or wall-mounted router installations, yet long enough to reach adjacent equipment on the same shelf. Longer serial runs demand powered repeaters or external serial modules — this cable assumes co-located or near-adjacent device placement.
- Passive Design, No Power Required: Zero electrical complexity. USB bus powers the connection. No separate power supply failures, no additional troubleshooting vectors. In remote sites with aging power infrastructure, that simplicity matters.
Deployment Considerations:
- RS-232 signal quality degrades over distance. If your serial device is more than 25–30 feet away, you'll hit noise and transmission issues. Plan cable routes carefully or use a powered serial repeater for longer reaches.
- Legacy equipment often runs at odd baud rates or non-standard flow control. Verify your serial device's configuration before deployment — the Cradlepoint router must support that rate through its USB serial stack.
- Passive USB-to-serial cables have no intelligence. If the cable doesn't work immediately after insertion, the problem is usually driver-side (Windows/Mac), BIOS-side (router firmware), or device-side (serial port configuration). Have a multimeter and a serial terminal program (PuTTY, minicom) ready for troubleshooting.
The 170873-000 is a straightforward choice for integrating one or two serial devices into a Cradlepoint-based network edge. It shines in remote site installations, telecom racks, and warehouse automation hubs where legacy equipment coexists with modern routing. If you need multiple serial connections, evaluate Cradlepoint's modular serial expansion hardware instead.
