CN

Introduction To Commonly Used Terminal Emulation Application

Time: 2025-01-14
        We introduced in the article Switch Console Interface Type Introduction, that a terminal emulation program is required to log in to and manage switches via the console interface. Below is a detailed introduction to several commonly used terminal emulation applications.
        Regardless of which terminal emulation program you use, connecting to the switch via the serial port requires the following preparatory steps:
            1. Use a serial cable to connect the switch’s console port to the computer’s serial port.
            2. Check the COM port number in the PC’s Device Manager.
            3. If multiple COM ports are connected, select the one corresponding to the actual connection.
Console Connection Diagram
Figure 1 Console Connection Diagram

COM Port Number
Figure 2 COM Port Number
1. Hyper Terminal
        Hyper Terminal is a tool used in early Windows operating systems to interact with the computer command line. It allows users to communicate via serial ports, modems, or TCP/IP networks. Newer Windows operating systems (such as Windows 7, Windows 10) no longer pre-install Hyper Terminal, and it is gradually being replaced by third-party software. If you need to use it, you can download and install it manually.
Hyper Terminal Icon
Figure 3 Hyper Terminal Icon

Table 1 Hyper Terminal Connection Procedure
Operation
1. Launch the Hyper Terminal application. In the pop-up input box, enter a name (which can be the device name or any easily distinguishable characters) to quickly locate the device terminal window when multiple terminals are running.
2. After entering the connection description, select the port number for connection (based on the actual connection).
 3. Select the corresponding port attributes (i.e., the pre-configured communication parameters of the connected device). Usually, only the baud rate varies between different switches.
Interface
        Once the above configurations are completed, you can connect to the device and manage it via commands.
Figure 4 Hyper Terminal Interface
2. PuTTy
        PuTTy is a free, open-source remote login tool. It supports network protocols such as SSH, Telnet, SCP, and serial connections, and supports Windows, Linux, and macOS operating systems.
Figure 5 PuTTy Icon

Table 2 PuTTy Connection Steps
Operation
 1. Launch the PuTTy application. A configuration box will pop up, where you can select the port number, connection type, and baud rate.
2. Select "Connection -> Serial" on the left to view specific communication parameters.
Interface
        Once the above configurations are completed, you can connect to the device and manage it via commands.
Figure 6 PuTTy Interface
3. Tera Term
        Tera Term is a serial port debugging tool with a concise interface and practical functions. It is mainly used for serial, Telnet, and SSH communication on Windows operating systems. In addition, it supports logging in to devices via serial ports and connecting to remote hosts via the network.
Figure 7 Tera Term Icon

Table 3 Tera Term Connection Procedure
Operation
1. Launch the Tera Term application. A configuration box will pop up, where you can select the connection type and port number.
 2. The default baud rate configured by the program is 9600. If modification is needed, go to the interface menu "Setup -> Serial Port" to configure port attributes. Click "Setup -> Save Setup" to save it as the default startup configuration.
Interface
        Once the above configurations are completed, you can connect to the device and manage it via commands.
Figure 8 Tera Term Interface
        In addition to the three common terminal emulation applications mentioned above, there are also MobaXterm, SecureCRT, and Xshell. Each has its own characteristics, and users can choose the appropriate one according to their needs and operating systems.
        Moduletek Limited is at your service.
        For further inquiries about the above content, please contact us at: sales@moduletek.com
Back
PREVIOUS：Switch Console Interface Type Introduction
NEXT：Guidelines For Installing/Upgrading Juniper QFX Switch System Via USB