Using a serial console on Mac OS X

As a network engineer, a fundamental task is putting a base configuration onto a device via a serial console. In Windows, there are several applications from Hyper Terminal to Putty. In Linux, there is minicom. I’ve never been a Microsoft fan, but have been a Linux user for many years. Over the last few years have been using Mac OS X full time for work and personal. Given this, I need the ability to access a network device via a serial connection. A quick Google was fruitful.

• Plug your USB to Serial device into the USB port.
• Open a command termal and execute:
  • ls /dev/*usb*

If your Mac recognizes the USB device, it will display a USB device in /dev. If not, you may need to download and install a USB driver for your device. I used this article to assist me in determining which USB driver to download and install.

• My USB device showed up as /dev/tty.usbserial, thus I’ll use that for the remainder of this example. Connect the other end of your USB to Serial cable into your network device’s serial port.
• Execute: screen /dev/tty.usbserial 9600
• Screen is a UNIX utility that allows you to access your local computers VT100 terminal.
• /dev/tty.usbserial is the driver to access your USB serial device.
• 9600 is the baud rate.
• Press enter and you should be prompted with your network device prompt.
• To disconnect use the following key sequence: CTRL+A followed by CTRL+\