Question 2.6: Connecting with a Console Lead No network connection is avai......

Use a console cable to connect to a Raspberry Pi.

Console cables are great for a Pi that is going to be used headless—that is, without keyboard, mouse, or monitor. The console cable shown in Figure 2-4 is available from Adafruit.

Connect the lead as follows:

1. Connect the red lead to the bottom-right pin, as shown in Figure 2-4.

2. Leave a gap of one space and connect the black lead to GND.

3. Connect the white lead to the left of the black lead.

4. Connect the green lead to the left of the white lead.

Note that the lead also provides 5V on the red lead, with enough power for the Pi on its own, but not with a lot of devices attached.

If you are a Windows or Mac user, you will need to install drivers for the USB lead, which are available for Windows and for Mac.

To connect to the Pi from your Mac, you will need to run the Terminal and enter the command:

The exact device name will be different, but if you press Tab after cu.P, it will autocomplete. After connecting, press Enter, and the Raspberry Pi login prompt should appear (Figure 2-5). The default username and password are pi and raspberry, respectively.

If you are trying to connect to your Raspberry Pi from a Windows computer, you need to download the terminal software called Putty.

When you run Putty, change the “Connection type” to Serial and set the speed to 115200. You also need to set the “Serial line” to be the COM port in use by the cable. This may be COM7, but if that does not work, check using the Windows Device manager.

When you click Open and press Enter, the Terminal session should start with a login prompt.

Discussion

The console cable can be a very convenient way of using your Pi if you are travelling light, as it provides both power and a way to control the Pi remotely.

See Also

You can find out more about using the serial console at this Adafruit tutorial. Adafruit also sells console cables.