Baslinux mailing list

[qwms-avib AT dea.spamcon.org]

James Miller wrote:
>
> For one thing, what is a "getty"?  

/etc/inittab
---------------------------------------------------
c1:1235:respawn:/sbin/agetty 38400 tty1 linux
c2:1235:respawn:/sbin/agetty 38400 tty2 linux
c3:1235:respawn:/sbin/agetty 38400 tty3 linux
c4:1235:respawn:/sbin/agetty 38400 tty4 linux
#s1:12345:respawn:/sbin/agetty -L 19200 ttyS0 vt100
---------------------------------------------------
BL2 has four getties (/sbin/agetty) running to drive the 
four virtual terminals (ALT-F1/F2/F3/F4).  You will also 
see that it has a getty ready to drive COM1 (ttyS0) but
the # stops it being activated.

> I know what a serial port is, but what's a "terminal
> program," and what does it do?  

It is a client program that enables you to logon to a
(remote) server.  Back in the BBS days, you ran a terminal
program (usually in DOS) to dial and connect to the BBS.

> Would this task involve hooking 2 computers together via 
> a null modem cable and administering or interacting with 
> one (the one running the getty on the serial port) via a 
> terminal program running on the other?  

Yes.  For a remote connection, you use a real modem; for a
side-by-side connection, you use a null modem.  When the
connection is made, you get a login (just like on a virtual
terminal).  It is similar to telnet, except telnet relies on
an existing network connection.  A terminal program makes the
connection directly.

> And, finally, are all the progs you mention
> DOS progs, Steven, or are some Linux/Unix?

Telix, telemate, boyan and commo are all DOS programs.  Minicom
is a Linux equivalent (/slakware/a10).

Cheers,
Steven