Connecting USB to Serial on OS X
I do a lot of router, switch and firewall configuration all of which requires connecting via serial for the initial configuration. I’ve always looked for a quick and easy solution to use my Macbook Pro for this purpose but in the past I’ve always resorted to remembering the /dev device name for my USB to Serial adapter. In writing this I hope this little HOWTO will help other Macbook users.
Step 1: Purchase a USB to Serial Adapter. I recommend the IOgear GUC232A. Install the OS X driver provided by IOGear.
Step 2: Download iTerm.
Step 3: Install iTerm.
Step 4: Launch iTerm.
Step 5: Since iTerm defaults to the local cli of your system do a quick listing of the /dev directory.
Inspect the output of the “ls” look for at all the tty* devices.
Step 5: Connect your USB to Serial adapter.
Step 6: Re-run command to list the directory contents of /dev. There should be a new tty device listed which is your USB to serial adapter.
In this case my GUC232A is the tty.PL2303-00001004.
Step 7: Now lets setup a iTerm “Bookmark” with the serial connection settings that are needed.
Step 8: Click on the “+” button to add a new iTerm Bookmark.
Step 9: In the Bookmark Name field put in whatever you’d like but I would recommend something that tells you what this bookmark is doing.
Step 10: In the “Command” field put in a command that looks like.
screen /dev/tty.PL2303-00001004 9600
9600 is the speed of which you’d like the serial communication to be. When finished click “OK”
Step 11: Close the Bookmarks window and when back to the main iTerm window press the keyboard combination…
command+b
This will bring up the Bookmarks side panel with all your Bookmarks.
To launch the new serial setting simply click on the bookmark.
