Minicom

Minicom is a program that lets you initiate a session over a serial interface. Typically you will have a device like a network switch with a DE-9 connector that can be configured over using a serial cable. The manual will tell you which mode to choose for connecting, e.g. 9600-8-N1.

Usage

Start minicom by opening a console and typing

minicom

You will get a message it is initializing a modem (even if you don't have one), then a screen like this:

Welcome to minicom 2.3

OPTIONS: I18n
Compiled on Feb 21 2009, 01:32:28.
Port /dev/modem

               Press CTRL-A Z for help on special keys

















 CTRL-A Z for help | 57600 8N1 | NOR | Minicom 2.3    | VT102 | Online 00:00

TroubleShooting

• If you get

minicom: cannot open /dev/modem: No such file or directory

link /dev/modem to your serial port device; for com1, this is usually /dev/ttyS0:

root@computer:~$ ln -s /dev/ttyS0 /dev/modem