Edit:
Putty does exist on Linux too (sudo apt-get install putty
on most debian-ish systems), if Putty is exactly what you have a guide for - even though it's unnecessary on Linux.
To find the serial port to use for Putty/Minicom/Screen, you could plug in the cable and shortly after use dmesg | grep USB
in a terminal to see the output (you should see something like New device on /dev/ttyUSB0
or various /dev/tty*
's to make sure you are attempting to connect to the correct Serial line.
As an alternative if Linux overwhelms you:
If all you need is access to the Serial connection and nothing specific from the Linux shell, then you can use Putty
from Windows (I would assume you have access to a Windows machine as well). (Download Page).
Determine which Serial port (or "COM" port in windows) you need in Device Manager:
![COM ports](../../I/static/images/6a34919dc840a33e2099306d398524d4d576ac8c41e1b64b254b52e9961e90b4.png)
Then in Putty, choose Serial
, enter the COM port and the BAUD (Speed):
![enter image description here](../../I/static/images/0802ad3c51e58e6c3fb47a3f531b18b02d3c5863eca7449b350ac8cf93576631.png)
If you need advanced settings to the serial connection in PUTTY, you can do that in the left menu Connection > Serial
You could also use Ctrl+A+D to disconnect but leave the screen running. – Kruug – 2013-04-09T19:52:11.423
@Kruug: That's not always desirable when using screen as a serial console terminal, since it leaves the tty device busy and can cause confusion. – user1686 – 2013-04-09T19:53:37.723
when i type your command in the terminal it doesn't work. – isuck – 2013-04-09T19:54:01.553
2when i read your comment it doesn't help. Got any details? – user1686 – 2013-04-09T19:54:36.710
well im in the linux terminal and trying to connect to the switch. I've got the console cable connected appropriately. I tried his command above ' screen /dev/ttyS0 ' but nothing happens, says command not found. if i type just /dev/ttyS0 i get 'permission denied'. I also tried 'telnet 192.168.1.1' and it reports 'no route to host' – isuck – 2013-04-09T20:00:09.137
Install
screen
, then. – user1686 – 2013-04-09T20:02:03.480i dont know how to install screen...i never use linux machines. Rough day here. – isuck – 2013-04-09T20:06:16.863
Serial ports, by default, are not open to regular users often times in Linux - so you may need to do
sudo screen /dev/ttyS#
, or add yourself to the group to have access. There is "putty" available in Linux, but unnecessary withscreen
orminicom
. But if all you need is access to a serial port (and not local linux goodies), then you can use Putty in Windows and choose theCOM
port you want (you can find that inDevice Manager
. – nerdwaller – 2013-04-09T20:39:02.0571@isuck
sudo apt-get install screen
, assuming you're running Debian, Ubuntu, Mint, et al. – Kruug – 2013-04-09T20:42:19.423