Linux Networking Cookbook

17.5. Setting Up the Serial Console

Problem

You have a Linux laptop or workstation all ready to go into service as a serial console; all you need to know is how to configure it, and how to use the communications software. You want to connect directly to your headless server.

Solution

First, you need these things:

• A DB9 serial port. A lot of laptops don't have serial ports. An alternative is a USB-to-serial connector.

• Null modem cable.

• Minicom, the serial communications program.

Then, configure Minicom, connect the two systems, and you're done.

Start up Minicom with -s for Setup:

	# minicom -s
	------[configuration]------
	| Filenames and paths
	| File transfer protocols
	| Serial port setup
	| Modem and dialing
	| Screen and keyboard
	| Save setup as dfl
	| Save setup as..
	| Exit
	| Exit from Minicom
	----------------------------

Select Serial port setup. From the following menu, select the letter of the option you want to change, then hit Return to get back to the "Change which setting?" screen:

	------------------------------------------
	| A -    Serial Device      : /dev/ttyS0
	| B - Lockfile Location     : /var/lock
	| C -   Callin Program      :
	| D -  Callout Program      :
	| E -    Bps/Par/Bits       : 9600 8N1
	| F - Hardware Flow Control : Yes
	| G - Software Flow Control : No
	|
	|    Change which setting?
	-------------------------------------------

From here, hit Return again to get back to the main menu. Next, select the Modem and dialing option, and make sure the Init string and Reset string settings are blank. Finally, select