setserial is a command-line utility used to read and modify configuration parameters for serial ports on Linux systems. Serial ports are a type of communication interface used for connecting devices such as modems, printers, and industrial control systems to a computer.
The setserial command allows users to view and modify various parameters associated with serial ports, such as baud rate, data bits, parity, stop bits, and flow control. These parameters are used to control the speed and accuracy of data transfer over the serial port.
When used with the appropriate options, setserial can display the current configuration of a serial port, as well as modify it. For example, the command setserial /dev/ttyS0 baud_base 115200 sets the baud rate of the serial port /dev/ttyS0 to 115200 bits per second.
The setserial command can be useful for diagnosing and troubleshooting issues with serial port communication. It can also be used to configure serial ports for specific devices or applications that require custom settings.
If you encounter the below error while running the command setserial:
setserial: command not found
you may try installing the below package as per your choice of distribution:
| Distribution | Command |
|---|---|
| Debian | apt-get install setserial |
| Ubuntu | apt-get install setserial |
| Kali Linux | apt-get install setserial |
| CentOS | yum install setserial |
| Fedora | dnf install setserial |
| Raspbian | apt-get install setserial |
setserial Command Examples
1. Print all information about a specific serial device:
# setserial -a /dev/cuaN
2. Print the configuration summary of a specific serial device (useful for printing during bootup process):
# setserial -b device
3. Set a specific configuration parameter to a device:
# sudo setserial device parameter
4. Print the configuration of a list of devices:
# setserial -g device1 device2 ...
Summary
It’s important to note that setserial should be used with caution, as incorrect configuration settings can cause data transfer errors or even damage to connected devices. Users should refer to the setserial manual page or documentation for more information on specific usage and options.
Overall, setserial is a useful tool for managing serial port configuration on Linux systems, allowing users to optimize their serial port communication for specific use cases.