How to minicom serial console in Linux ?

Firstly, you need to get ready with the tools as below :

1. RS232 Console Serial Cable
2. USB to RS232 Serial Cable convertor

Then, you will need to install minicom package into your linux. For debian user, you can install using aptitude or apt.

# apt-get install minicom

Then plug your USB to RS232 Serial Convertor into your USB port. The type # dmesg and you should see the followings text at the bottom.

usb 5-1: new full speed USB device using uhci_hcd and address 2
usb 5-1: configuration #1 chosen from 1 choice
usbcore: registered new interface driver usbserial
/build/buildd/linux-source-2.6.22-2.6.22/drivers/usb/serial/usb-serial.c: USB Serial support registered for generic
usbcore: registered new interface driver usbserial_generic
/build/buildd/linux-source-2.6.22-2.6.22/drivers/usb/serial/usb-serial.c: USB Serial Driver core
/build/buildd/linux-source-2.6.22-2.6.22/drivers/usb/serial/usb-serial.c: USB Serial support registered for pl2303
pl2303 5-1:1.0: pl2303 converter detected
usb 5-1: pl2303 converter now attached to ttyUSB0
usbcore: registered new interface driver pl2303
/build/buildd/linux-source-2.6.22-2.6.22/drivers/usb/serial/pl2303.c: Prolific PL2303 USB to serial adaptor driver

Identify where you USB convertor is attached to. From the example above, it is connected to /dev/ttyUSB0 *( Remember it, as you will be using this info later ).

Now, start to configure your minicom using su privileges by :

# sudo minicom -s

Then, select theSerial port setup.

Change your settings for Serial Device to /dev/ttyUSB0 ( or whichever is shown when you did # dmesg just now ) and also change the item (E), Bps/Parity/Bits to suite to your device. You may need to change other settings as per your requirements. Press ENTER upon complete.

  Then, select Save setup as dfl and exit.

Now, you may start with your serial console communication by issue the following command :

# minicom

Done!