StarTech.com USB to Serial Cable TAA COM Retention Prolific 1P3FPC-USB-SERIAL
The StarTech.com 1P3FPC-USB-SERIAL USB to Serial Cable provides essential connectivity, bridging modern USB-A ports to legacy RS-232 DB9 serial devices with a 0.9m cable length, ensuring reliable communication for critical business operations.
- COM Retention: Maintains assigned COM port values, preventing configuration conflicts and simplifying device management across reboots or reconnections.
- TAA Compliant: Meets Trade Agreements Act requirements, enabling procurement for government and public sector organizations.
- Prolific Chipset: Ensures broad compatibility and stable performance across Windows, macOS, Linux, and Chrome OS environments, minimizing driver issues.
- Legacy Device Support: Connects essential equipment like servers, POS systems, and industrial controls to modern USB-enabled computers, extending hardware lifecycles.
Product Overview
Product Overview
The StarTech.com 1P3FPC-USB-SERIAL is a purpose-built USB to serial adapter, featuring a male DB-9 connector and a male USB Type-A USB 2.0 connector, with a 0.9m cable length for flexible deployment. It integrates a Prolific PL2303RA chipset, ensuring robust data transfer with configurable data bits (5, 6, 7, 8) and stop bits (1, 1.5, 2).
Engineered for operational stability, this adapter supports a wide range of operating systems including Windows 7 through 11, Windows Server 2016/2019, macOS 10.11 to 13.0 Ventura, Linux 4.15.x LTS, and Chrome OS. Its COM retention feature prevents port reassignments, reducing IT overhead and ensuring consistent device identification for critical systems.
- Reliable Connectivity: Bridges modern USB-A ports to legacy RS-232 DB9 serial devices, extending the operational life of essential equipment like servers and industrial controls.
- Consistent COM Port Assignment: Features COM retention, ensuring that assigned COM port values are maintained even after reboots or disconnections, simplifying device management and reducing configuration errors.
- Broad OS Compatibility: Supports Windows, macOS, Linux, and Chrome OS, providing versatile integration into diverse IT environments without extensive driver troubleshooting.
- TAA Compliance: Meets Trade Agreements Act requirements, making it suitable for government and public sector procurement and ensuring supply chain integrity.
- Industrial-Grade Chipset: Utilizes a Prolific PL2303RA chipset, known for its stability and reliability in demanding business applications, minimizing communication failures.
This USB to serial cable is an essential tool for businesses requiring dependable connectivity between new and existing infrastructure, ensuring operational continuity.
Technical Specifications
1Performance & Business Impact
2Connectivity & I/O
3Physical & Environmental
4Lifecycle, Warranty & Compliance
Full Specifications
Ports & interfaces8
Performance9
Weight & dimensions4
Certificates1
Packaging content1
Operational conditions1
Packaging data1
Logistics data1
Downloads1
What This Solves
Bridging Legacy IT Systems
Many businesses operate with essential equipment that relies on RS-232 serial ports, while modern computers primarily offer USB connectivity. This cable provides a reliable bridge, allowing organizations to continue using their existing, functional serial devices without costly hardware overhauls.
Manufacturing plants, retail chains with legacy POS, healthcare clinics with older medical devices, IT operations teams managing diverse hardware.
Consistent Device Configuration
Managing multiple serial devices often leads to COM port reassignments, causing configuration headaches and downtime. The integrated COM retention feature ensures that devices consistently appear on the same virtual COM port, streamlining management and reducing IT support calls.
Network operations centers, industrial automation teams, facilities management, businesses with multiple serial-controlled peripherals.
TAA-Compliant Procurement
Government agencies and public sector organizations require products that comply with the Trade Agreements Act for procurement. This cable meets TAA standards, simplifying the purchasing process and ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements for sensitive deployments.
Federal agencies, state and local government, public education institutions, defense contractors.
Key Features
COM Retention Technology
Ensures consistent COM port assignments, simplifying device management and reducing configuration errors across system reboots or reconnections.
TAA Compliant Design
Meets Trade Agreements Act requirements, enabling procurement for government and public sector organizations with specific sourcing mandates.
Prolific PL2303RA Chipset
Provides broad operating system compatibility and stable performance, minimizing driver conflicts and ensuring reliable communication for critical applications.
0.9m (3 ft) Cable Length
Offers flexible placement options for connected devices, accommodating various workstation and server rack configurations without requiring additional extenders.
USB 2.0 Interface
Delivers reliable data transfer speeds for serial communication, ensuring efficient control and data exchange with legacy RS-232 devices.
Industry Applications
Manufacturing & Industrial
For connecting to programmable logic controllers (PLCs), diagnostic tools, and older machinery that rely on RS-232 serial interfaces for control and monitoring.
Retail & Hospitality
Ensures connectivity for essential point-of-sale (POS) systems, barcode scanners, and receipt printers that often utilize DB9 serial ports.
Government & Public Sector
Meets TAA compliance requirements, enabling secure and authorized procurement for connecting to legacy or specialized equipment in federal and state agencies.
Healthcare & Life Sciences
Facilitates communication with medical diagnostic devices, laboratory instruments, and patient monitoring systems that still use serial connections for data exchange.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is COM retention and why is it important for businesses?
COM retention ensures that the assigned virtual COM port number for your serial device remains consistent, even if the cable is disconnected or the computer reboots. This is crucial for businesses to avoid reconfiguring software or scripts every time a serial device is reconnected, saving IT time and preventing operational disruptions.
Which operating systems are compatible with this USB to serial cable?
This cable offers broad compatibility, supporting Windows 7, 8.1, 10, 11, Windows Server 2016 and 2019, macOS 10.11 through 13.0 Ventura, Linux 4.15.x LTS versions, and Chrome OS. This ensures versatile integration into most business IT environments.
Can this cable be used to connect to network switches for console access?
Yes, this USB to serial cable is commonly used by IT professionals for console access to network switches, routers, and other serial-managed devices. Its reliable Prolific chipset and broad OS support make it an effective tool for device configuration and troubleshooting.
What types of legacy devices can I connect using this adapter?
This adapter is designed to connect a wide range of legacy RS-232 DB9 serial devices, including point-of-sale (POS) terminals, barcode scanners, receipt printers, industrial control equipment, modems, and various diagnostic tools.
Warranty & Returns
Manufacturer Warranty
2 Years
Warranty is provided directly by the manufacturer and covers defects in materials and workmanship under normal use.
Return Policy
Returns subject to manufacturer approval
Hardware returns are governed by the manufacturer's return policy. Some products are non-returnable or subject to restocking fees. Defective items are handled under the manufacturer warranty. Contact Zent Networks before initiating any return.