Connecting to a compute node using a serial line

You may find it necessary to login to the console of a compute node. E.g if the system is hung rebooting or to manually check the file systems using fsck. By default the consoles of the compute nodes are sent to the first serial port (COM1 or ttyS0). Only root is allowed login via the serial port. If you do not have a serial switch then connect the COM1 port of the server to the COM1 port of the appropriate compute node using the 9 wire serial cable provided. Next login as root on the front end server and type:

[root@scserve nrcb]# kermit

You may need to hit the return key 2 or 3 times in order to get the terminal to respond. If the system is up and running a getty login you will see something like:

Red Hat Linux release 6.2 (Zoot)
Kernel 2.2.16-6rwcp_0 on a 2-processor i686

sc01.streamline login:

If the system is still doing boot up you will see the bootup messages that you would normally see if a keyboard and monitor were connected. Some systems also allow you to access the BIOS and view BIOS system messages prior to boot via the serial line.

To disconnect the serial connection type:

``Cntrl \"

(cntrl + backslash) together followed by ``c''. This will take you to the kermit prompt:

(Back at scserve.streamline)
----------------------------------------------------
C-Kermit 7.0.196, 1 Jan 2000, for Linux
 Copyright (C) 1985, 2000,
  Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York.
Type ? or HELP for help.
kermit>

Type quit to close the serial port and exit kermit.