Serial (COM port) connections

Add a serial console

On the Connections page, open Hosts, click Import and choose Add serial console…, or type the port name (for example COM3) in the Address box.

Line settings

Use the settings from your device's manual. Most devices use 9600, 8N1, no flow control, which is the default.

• Port and Speed (baud).
• Data bits, Parity and Stop bits.
• Flow control: None, XON/XOFF (software), RTS/CTS (hardware) or DSR/DTR (hardware).
• DTR on and RTS on.

Terminal settings: Enter sends (CR suits most devices), Characters, Local echo, and delays between lines or characters for slow devices.

In the tab

The toolbar has Send break, Clear, Copy, Paste and Scripts. The status strip shows the signal lines and lets you switch DTR and RTS. To keep a record, turn on Log each session to a file, with Time stamp each line if you like.

If a device drops pasted text, use Type text with the Careful speed.

A serial port on a remote PC

You can use a serial port plugged into one of your PCs from anywhere:

1. Open a live session with that PC.
2. Choose Serial ports on this PC… from the session's terminal menu, or right-click the PC on the Devices page and choose Serial ports….
3. Pick the port and click Open terminal.

This needs control allowed on that PC. On a view-only PC, its serial ports can't be used.

If the port won't open

• Another program may have the port open. Close it and try again.
• Check the port number in Windows Device Manager, under Ports (COM & LPT).
• Garbled text usually means the speed or data settings don't match the device.