Remote Serial Console HOWTO
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# 12.1. Using Minicom to give commands to a modem

Minicom is a full-screen serial terminal emulation package, very much like the classic Telix terminal emulator for MS-DOS.

Firstly, start Minicom in configuration mode with the command:

    bash# minicom -o -s

The following menu appears:

    Filenames and paths
    File transfer protocols
    Serial port setup
    Modem and dialing
    Screen and keyboard
    Save setup as dfl
    Save setup as..
    Exit
    Exit from Minicom

Select Serial port setup and set

    A - Serial Device: /dev/ttyS0
    B - Lockfile Location: /var/lock
    C - Callin Program:
    D - Callout Program:
    E - Bps/Par/Bits: 9600 8N1
    F - Hardware Flow Control: Yes
    G - Software Flow Control: No

Now save the configuration

    Give name to save this configuration?
    > console

and exit Minicom.

To configure a modem use the command minicom -o console to start Minicom without sending an initialization string to the modem. Now issue the `AT` commands to configure the modem.

When finished use the Quit option to leave Minicom without sending a reset string to the modem; this option is Alt-Q.

Sometimes Minicom will use Ctrl-A rather than Alt to access the menu system, look for a hint in Minicom's start up message:

    Press ALT-Z for help on special keys

    Press CTRL-A Z for help on special keys

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