15. Serial Communications Programs And Utilities

15.1 List of Software

Here is a list of some communication software you can choose from, available via FTP, if they didn't come with your Linux distribution.

• ecu - a communications program
• C-Kermit - portable, scriptable, serial and TCP/IP communications including file transfer, character-set translation, and zmodem support
• gkermit Tiny GPLed kermit run only from the command line. Can't connect to another computer
• gtkterm - a simple gtk terminal, X-based
• minicom - telix-like communications program
• picocom - like a small minicom but no automatic phone dialing
• pppd - establishes a ppp connection on the serial line
• seyon - X based communication program
• xc - xcomm communication package
• term and SLiRP offer TCP/IP functionality using a shell account.
• screen is another multi-session program. This one behaves like the virtual consoles.
• callback is where you dial out to a remote modem and then that modem hangs up and calls you back (to save on phone bills).
• mgetty+fax handles FAX stuff, and provides an alternate ps_getty.
• ZyXEL is a control program for ZyXEL U-1496 modems. It handles dialin, dialout, dial back security, FAXing, and voice mailbox functions.
• SLIP and PPP software (if not in your Linux distribution) can be found at ftp://metalab.unc.edu/pub/Linux/system/network/serial.

15.2 kermit and zmodem

For use of kermit with modems see the Modem-HOWTO. One can run zmodem within the kermit program. To do this (for ttyS3), add the following to your .kermrc file:

define rz !rz < /dev/ttyS3 > /dev/ttyS3
define sz !sz \%0 > /dev/ttyS3 < /dev/ttyS3