Skip to content

Instantly share code, notes, and snippets.

@albertfilice

albertfilice/What I did (VT220 Setup)

Last active September 13, 2020 21:23
Show Gist options
  • Save albertfilice/0f12dc87f8d1ec02ef14 to your computer and use it in GitHub Desktop.
Save albertfilice/0f12dc87f8d1ec02ef14 to your computer and use it in GitHub Desktop.
Download ZIP
VT220 Setup
Raw
What I did (VT220 Setup)
#####
IF YOU'RE COMING HERE BECAUSE OF PROBLEMS MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE PROPPER ADAPTER
I tried several adapters and the one from Tripplite works the best. Some don't work at all, others create a lot of gibberish on the VT220.
Link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000VYJRY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
#####
1. Installed drivers for USB -> Serial adapter
2. Run ls /dev/tty.*
I see my adapter as: '/dev/tty.usbserial'
3. Edit /etc/gettytab
Add the following lines at the end of gettytab:
std.ttyUSB:\
:np:im=\r\n:sp#19200:tt=vt220:
4. Create /Library/LaunchDaemons/serialconsole.plist with the contents:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
<plist version="1.0">
<dict>
<key>Label</key>
<string>serialconsole</string>
<key>ProgramArguments</key>
<array>
<string>/usr/libexec/getty</string>
<string>std.ttyUSB</string>
<string>cu.usbserial</string>
</array>
<key>KeepAlive</key>
<true/>
</dict>
</plist>
Communications Set-Up on the VT220 V2.3:
---------------------------------------
Transmit=19200
Recieve=Transmit
XOFF at 64
8 Bits, No Parity
1 Stop Bit
No Local Echo
EIA Port, Data Leads Only
Disconnect, 2 s Delay
Limited Transmit
I have the serial adapter -> a DB9 to DB25 Male Null Cable -> DB25/DB25 gender changer -> COMM port on the back of the VT220
Running `sudo launchctl load /Library/LaunchDaemons/serialconsole.plist` does nothing. VT220 cursor blinking in top left.
Rebooting the computer with the VT220 plugged in and nothing happens.
I tried this:
Open the console and type `screen /dev/tty.usbserial 19200' and I get a blank screen with solid non-blinking cursor at the top.
Nothing changes on the VT220.
I saw this post: http://jstn.cc/post/8692501831
He mentions:
'Eventually I found this page (http://www.club.cc.cmu.edu/~mdille3/doc/mac_osx_serial_console.html), which explains the problem and how to fix it. After adding a line in /etc/gettytab to manually set the terminal type to vt220 everything works perfectly!'
However I can't seem to find out what he's talking about on (http://www.club.cc.cmu.edu/~mdille3/doc/mac_osx_serial_console.html).
Raw
What worked (VT220 Setup)
1. Get a USB to Serial adapter.
I tried several, the only one that worked was a Tripp Lite Keyspan
Link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000VYJRY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Drivers: http://www.tripplite.com/high-speed-usb-to-serial-adapter-keyspan~USA19HS/
2. Install drivers for USB to Serial adapter
3. Run the following command to see your device: `ls /dev/tty.*`
The result of the command is below:
/dev/tty.Bluetooth-Incoming-Port /dev/tty.KeySerial1
/dev/tty.Bluetooth-Modem /dev/tty.USA19H142P1.1
I'm going to guess that "/dev/tty.KeySerial1" is the correct device
4. You need to add to the file '/etc/gettytab'
You can edit it using the program vi:
`sudo vi /etc/gettytab`
Add the following two lines to the end of the file:
std.ttyUSB:\
:np:im=\r\n:sp#19200:tt=vt220:
5. Now you have to create the launch daemon that will give the login prompt to the terminal:
You can create the file using the program vi and name it whatever you want, I'm calling it "serialconsole.plist":
`sudo vi /Library/LaunchDaemons/serialconsole.plist`
Add the following 16 lines to "serialconsole.plist":
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
<plist version="1.0">
<dict>
<key>Label</key>
<string>serialconsole</string>
<key>ProgramArguments</key>
<array>
<string>/usr/libexec/getty</string>
<string>std.ttyUSB</string>
<string>cu.KeySerial1</string>
</array>
<key>KeepAlive</key>
<true/>
</dict>
</plist>
Replacing the line "<string>cu.KeySerial1</string>" specifically the "KeySerial1" part with the name of your device
6. Now you have to load up the daemon:
You can do that by restarting your computer or running the following:
`sudo launchctl load /Library/LaunchDaemons/serialconsole.plist`
If everything went smoothly your VT220 should present you with a login prompt
###########################
Some things to keep in mind
###########################
If cu.YourSerialDevice doesn't work then try tty.YourSerialDevice
@albertfilice
Copy link
Author

@colegleason Sorry I can't be of more help, but after reading your post and looking back I can't remember having that issue. Did you check your DB9 to DB25 adapter?

I don't have my terminal out anymore, I used to have it set up at work but was laid off from that job, and now it's in the closet of my small apartment.

I'm not sure how changes in macOS since I got mine working might impact things. Not sure what access denied means either. You could try to find somebody has one running on Catalina, but that probably isn't easy.

If I ever get mine out and working again I'll be sure to post the info.

@colegleason
Copy link

colegleason commented Sep 13, 2020 via email

Sign up for free to join this conversation on GitHub. Already have an account? Sign in to comment