HARDWARE: USB TO SERIAL
Some of the hardware I use (and going to use at my Smart Home) require firmware modification. The usual way it OTA (Over-the-air) and can be done in pure software manner, hoever, some require flashing of the firmware.
Most of the equipment has on-board serial (RS-232) connector so I can easily connect to it and flash it's software. To do so I need serial-2-usb dongle as I do not have any serial interface on my laptop.
After short research I decided to go with simple usb2ser interface: USB TO TTL. This allows to use either 3.3V or 5V (be careful, setting this incorrectly can destroy the hardware you are trying to modify). The cost is super low - no more than few euros on Amazon or other portal.
To make my life easier I soldered wires to the pins so I can use them in much more flexible way later.
Another equipment is usb-extension cord and - obviously - soldering station.
