Configuring minicom for console access to a cisco router.

Make sure you are using the proper cable for console access, it will usually be a female DB-9 pin to RJ45 cable. A picture of this cable can be seen here.

Install minicom.

Find out where your serial port is located:

# dmesg | more

Look for a line similar to:
serial8250: ttyS0 at I/O 0x3f8 (irq = 4) is a 16550A
This indicates my serial port is at ttyS0

Next enter the setup mode for minicom:

# minicom -s

At the minicom configuration menu move down to “Serial port setup”
Press “a” to change the serial device to the location indicated by dmesg, I changed mine to /dev/ttyS0
Press “esc” to leave that configuration and press “e” to change the Bps/Par/Bits, press “e” again to select 9600.
Press “esc” and press “f” to turn off hardware flow control.
Press “esc” to exit the Serial port setup menu and move down to “Save setup as ..”
Name the configuration cisco_console.
Move down to “Exit”. You should now be at the router> prompt of your cisco router.

For future connections to the cisco console simply type:

# minicom cisco_console