Use Minicom to access COM port

When we need to configure a router through console port, normally we use Hyperterminal in Windows environment. Minicom is one the alternative which can be use to do the same functionality (Access COM/Modem ports etc) in Linux environment.

Minicom is not a default application, you need to install with yum / apt-get utility.

yum install minicom

Once you install minicom, you need to configure required parameters according to your requirement. (i.e. By default minicom is trying to communicate with /dev/modem, you may need to access your COM port /dev/ttyS0, and also may need to change the communication parameters)

Start configure minicom with
minicom -s 

It will provide you a menu driven interface where you can set the required parametes;

As my requirement was to communicate with a Cisco router and I have connected it to the COM port via a console cable, I need to set the Serial port settings as follows;

After settings they need to saved as the default setting and Exit from the configuration.

The minicom will communicate with the port that you have configured and will open a communication window with user friendly environment.

Useful references:
http://www.cyberciti.biz/tips/connect-soekris-single-board-computer-using-minicom.html