serial to usb terminal in ubuntu

ubuntu_serial_to_usb_terminal.txt

1. install putty (or minicom)
$ sudo apt install putty

2. plug in usb-to-serial cable

3. to check which serial port has been crested, run dmesg pipe output to grep, filter to tty, note output
(man dmesg => print or control the kernel ring buffer)
$ dmesg | grep tty

sample ouput:

[    0.000000] console [tty0] enabled
[ 4937.817808] usb 1-1: pl2303 converter now attached to ttyUSB0

4. grant read and write access to serial port
NOTE - this will have to be done each time the cable is reconnected, and maybe before each new session is started
$ sudo chmod 666 /dev/ttyUSB0

5. start putty

6. set connection type to 'serial'

7. set serial line to '/dev/ttyUSB0'

8. start terminal session