How To Configure Minicom For Serial Console Connections
Those who work with infrastructure/server deployment knows how difficult it is to get a console for those devices having no display like switches, routers and a blade chassis/enclosure. Usually we use any console connection utilities like putty, minicom, RealTerm or cu. Here I am explaining how to configure minicom in linux for a console connection to Cisco Nexus 5K switch.
1. Install minicom
[root@techbeats ~]# yum install minicom -y
Loaded plugins: product-id, rhnplugin, search-disabled-repos, security, subscription-
: manager
This system is receiving updates from RHN Classic or RHN Satellite.
Setting up Install Process
Resolving Dependencies
--> Running transaction check
---> Package minicom.x86_64 0:2.3-6.1.el6 will be installed
--> Finished Dependency Resolution
Dependencies Resolved
========================================================================================
Package Arch Version Repository Size
========================================================================================
Installing:
minicom x86_64 2.3-6.1.el6 rhel6-x86_64-2016-2 246 k
Transaction Summary
========================================================================================
Install 1 Package(s)
Total download size: 246 k
Installed size: 806 k
Downloading Packages:
minicom-2.3-6.1.el6.x86_64.rpm | 246 kB 00:00
Running rpm_check_debug
Running Transaction Test
Transaction Test Succeeded
Running Transaction
Installing : minicom-2.3-6.1.el6.x86_64 1/1
Verifying : minicom-2.3-6.1.el6.x86_64 1/1
Installed:
minicom.x86_64 0:2.3-6.1.el6
Complete!
2. Check your Serial connection details
[root@techbeats ~]# dmesg | grep tty
console [tty0] enabled
serial8250: ttyS0 at I/O 0x3f8 (irq = 4) is a 16550A
serial8250: ttyS1 at I/O 0x2f8 (irq = 3) is a 16550A
00:09: ttyS0 at I/O 0x3f8 (irq = 4) is a 16550A
3. Set serial ports
[root@techbeats ~]# setserial -g /dev/ttyS[0123]
/dev/ttyS0, UART: 16550A, Port: 0x03f8, IRQ: 4
/dev/ttyS1, UART: 16550A, Port: 0x02f8, IRQ: 3
/dev/ttyS2, UART: unknown, Port: 0x03e8, IRQ: 4
/dev/ttyS3, UART: unknown, Port: 0x02e8, IRQ: 3
4. Configure port
[root@techbeats ~]# minicom -s
minicom: WARNING: configuration file not found, using defaults
then, you will get menu like below
Configure settings as below.
Port : /dev/ttyS0
Bits per sec : 9600 Data bits : 8 Parity : none Stop bits : 1 Flow control : none
5. Connect to you Switch console
[root@techbeats ~]# minicom
Welcome to minicom 2.3
OPTIONS: I18n
Compiled on Dec 4 2009, 12:16:46.
Port /dev/ttyS0
Press CTRL-A Z for help on special keys
Password:
Login incorrect
==================================================================
WARNING :
==================================================================
AMSSW1002 login:
6. Exit from minicom console
To exit Minicom when in terminal mode press ‘Ctrl-A’ to get a message bar at the bottom of the terminal window and then press ‘X’.
Gineesh Madapparambath
Gineesh Madapparambath is the founder of techbeatly. He is the co-author of The Kubernetes Bible, Second Edition and the author of Ansible for Real Life Automation. He has worked as a Systems Engineer, Automation Specialist, and content author. His primary focus is on Ansible Automation, Containerisation (OpenShift & Kubernetes), and Infrastructure as Code (Terraform). (Read more: iamgini.com)
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