How to connect to console port on MacOS using "Screen"?

Purpose:

It is not necessary to download and install additional software, such as PuTTY, to connect to a console port on macOS. macOS has a built-in Terminal application and the screen command, which allows serial port connections. This article will guide you through accessing your server via the console port.

Audience:

Users with macOS experience who need to connect to a server via a console port.

Prerequisites:

A serial-to-USB adapter.

Steps:

1- Open a Terminal session

• Launch the Terminal application on macOS.

2- Identify the correct TTY device

• With the USB-Serial adapter plugged in, run the following command:

ls /dev/cu.*

• You will see a list of available serial devices, which may include entries like:

/dev/cu.Bluetooth-Incoming-Port 
/dev/cu.Mohamine-WirelessiAP 
/dev/cu.S8-JL_SPP 
/dev/cu.usbserial-14140 

• Identify the correct device name, typically something like:

/dev/cu.usbserial-XXXXX

3- Connect to the serial device using screen

• Use the following command, replacing usbserial-XXXXX with your actual device name:

screen /dev/cu.usbserial-14140 115200

• The 115200 at the end specifies the baud rate. Adjust this value if needed based on your device specifications.

4- Exit the screen session

• To disconnect from screen, press:
  • CTRL + A, then CTRL + \

4- Exit the screen session

• For more details on screen, type:

man screen

(Use 'enter' or 'space' to scroll, and 'q' to quit).

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