[Soekris] Can't access serial console, but boots OK

[Jan Ceuleers]

Saúl Ibarra wrote:
> I found this web: http://zone.ni.com/devzone/cda/tut/p/id/3450 where it 
> says how to test a null modem cable... I hope it's alright. Otherwise, 
> any suggestions about testing the cable? Well, assuming the cable is 
> working correctly (I bought it yesterday), the image attached shows what 
> my Hyperterminal looks like when I power on the Soekris at 19200 8-N-1.

Saúl,

That test allows you to test your serial port (and the page says so: "A 
loopback test allows you to send and receive data from the same serial 
port to verify that the port is operational."). It also verifies that 
the cable is either a working straight-through cable or a working null 
modem cable, but it does not tell you which it is.

Stuart's advice is good:

- if your box is new it should have been set at the factory to 19200-8N1.

- if it is second-hand, it will be set to whatever the previous owner 
set it to. Ask him/her.

Another point: I'm not familiar with monowall, but if it is Linux-based 
and you can log into it, try issuing the following command:

[root at skr03 root]# stty -a < /dev/console
speed 9600 baud; rows 0; columns 0; line = 0;
intr = ^C; quit = ^\; erase = ^?; kill = ^X; eof = ^D; eol = <undef>;
eol2 = <undef>; start = ^Q; stop = ^S; susp = ^Z; rprnt = ^R; werase = ^W;
lnext = ^V; flush = ^O; min = 1; time = 0;
-parenb -parodd cs8 hupcl -cstopb cread clocal -crtscts
-ignbrk -brkint -ignpar -parmrk -inpck -istrip -inlcr -igncr -icrnl -ixon
-ixoff -iuclc -ixany -imaxbel
-opost -olcuc -ocrnl -onlcr -onocr -onlret -ofill -ofdel nl0 cr0 tab0 
bs0 vt0
ff0
-isig -icanon -iexten -echo -echoe -echok -echonl -noflsh -xcase -tostop
-echoprt -echoctl -echoke
[root at skr03 root]#

As you can see, I've set mine to 9600. Note that this is not necessarily 
the same speed as what the BIOS is set to, but this way you should at 
least be able to verify that the Soekris serial port and your cable are 
working.

Hope this helps.

Cheers, Jan