Minicom

lastmod 2022-08-04created 2016-12-235 edits

Minicom is a text-based modem control and terminal emulation program for Unix-like operating systems, originally written by Miquel van Smoorenburg, and modeled after the popular MS-DOS program Telix. Minicom includes a dialing directory, ANSI and VT100 emulation, an (external) scripting language, and other features. Minicom is a menu-driven communications program. It also has an auto ZMODEM download.

A common use for Minicom is when setting up a remote serial console, perhaps as a last resort to access a computer if the LAN is down. This can be done using nothing more than an old 386 laptop with a Minicom floppy distribution such as Pitux or Serial Terminal Linux.

How to use

First, check the kernel messages for available serial ports

dmesg | grep tty

A device name such as /dev/ttyS0 is added, and even if the serial port is connected via USB (e.g. Serial to USB), it is added as /dev/ttyUSB0.

Install minicom:

sudo apt-get install minicom

Change minicom settings:

sudo minicom -s

Select the Serial port setup menu to change detailed settings.

Once changed correctly, the received signal is printed as ASCII.

See also

• POSIX:termios
• WindowsApi:SerialCommunications

Favorite site

• Wikipedia (en) Minicom
• 210214 Installing and running minicom on Ubuntu :: Kanguk Blog
• (Ubuntu) minicom serial settings :: Ttangttung Warehouse
• Using linux serial, port settings, checking status