A method is provided that includes accessing, by a debugging device associated with an external user device, (i) a serial console of a hardware network device, and (ii) a management Ethernet port of the hardware network device. The method includes providing, by the debugging device, (i) a serial console interface from the serial console of the hardware network device to the external user device, and (ii) a management Ethernet interface from the management Ethernet port of the hardware network device to the external user device. The method includes receiving, by serial console interface and the management Ethernet interface of the debugging device, user input from the external user device. The method includes sending, using a hardware bypass in the debugging device. Ethernet management traffic from the hardware network device to the external user device through an internal network, responsive to the debugging device improperly operating.