VT220 Setup

What I did (VT220 Setup)

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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
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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). 

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



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Some things to keep in mind
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If cu.YourSerialDevice doesn't work then try tty.YourSerialDevice

Thanks for the response. I haven't checked the DB9/DB25 connector, but I will soon. I may also try to connect to a Raspberry Pi to identify if it is a macOS related issue. I will report back once I do.

…

On Sat, Sep 12, 2020 at 2:08 AM Albert Filice ***@***.***> wrote: ***@***.**** commented on this gist. ------------------------------ @colegleason <https://github.com/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. — You are receiving this because you were mentioned. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <https://gist.github.com/0f12dc87f8d1ec02ef14#gistcomment-3451285>, or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AABYXB3O6NCNCERABGV3CGTSFMF7LANCNFSM4RAOE5JQ> .

-- Cole Gleason ---------------------- Student, Carnegie Mellon University Email: [email protected] Website: colegleason.com