Text−Terminal−HOWTO Text−Terminal−HOWTO Table of Contents Text−Terminal−HOWTO.................................................................................................................................1 David S. Lawyer mailto:dave@lafn.org..................................................................................................1 1. Introduction..........................................................................................................................................1 2. Types of Terminals..............................................................................................................................1 3. Quick Install.........................................................................................................................................1 4. Why Use a Terminal ?.........................................................................................................................1 5. Overview of How Terminals Work (in Linux)....................................................................................1 6. Terminal Special Files such as /dev/tty...............................................................................................2 7. Some Details on How Terminals Work...............................................................................................2 8. Special Features of Some Terminals....................................................................................................2 9. Terminal Emulation (including the Console)......................................................................................2 10. Flow Control (Handshaking).............................................................................................................2 11. Physical Connection..........................................................................................................................3 12. Set−Up (Configure) in General..........................................................................................................3 13. Terminal Set−Up (Configure) Details...............................................................................................3 14. Computer Set−Up (Configure) Details..............................................................................................4 15. Terminfo and Termcap (detailed)......................................................................................................4 16. Using the Terminal............................................................................................................................4 17. Special Uses for a Terminal...............................................................................................................4 18. Trouble−Shooting..............................................................................................................................5 19. Repair & Diagnose.............................................................................................................................5 20. Appendix A: General.........................................................................................................................5 21. Appendix B: Escape Sequence Commands Terminology.................................................................5 22. Appendix C: Serial Communications on EIA−232 (RS−232)...........................................................6 23. Appendix D: Notes by Brand/Model.................................................................................................6 1. Introduction.........................................................................................................................................6 1.1 Copyright, Trademarks, Disclaimer, & Credits.................................................................................6 Copyright...........................................................................................................................................6 Disclaimer.........................................................................................................................................7 Trademarks........................................................................................................................................7 Credits...............................................................................................................................................7 1.2 Future Plans: You Can Help..............................................................................................................7 1.3 New Versions of this HOWTO..........................................................................................................7 1.4 Changes in Recent Versions:.............................................................................................................7 1.5 Related HOWTOs, etc......................................................................................................................8 1.6 Terminology Used in this Document.................................................................................................8 1.7 What is a Terminal ?..........................................................................................................................8 2. Types of Terminals..............................................................................................................................9 2.1 Dumb Terminals................................................................................................................................9 2.2 Text Terminals...................................................................................................................................9 2.3 Graphic GUI Capabilities of Text Terminals...................................................................................10 Graphics GUI displays...................................................................................................................10 2.4 Thin Clients (Terminals ?)...............................................................................................................10 Introduction.....................................................................................................................................10 Window terminals...........................................................................................................................11 Network computers (NCs)...............................................................................................................12 Thin clients and NCs under Linux..................................................................................................12 Hardware hookups...........................................................................................................................13 i Text−Terminal−HOWTO Table of Contents Text−Terminal−HOWTO History and the future...............................................................................................................13 2.5 Emulation on a PC...........................................................................................................................13 3. Quick Install......................................................................................................................................14 4. Why Use a Terminal ?.......................................................................................................................14 4.1 Intro to Why Use a Terminal...........................................................................................................14 4.2 Lower Hardware Costs ?..................................................................................................................14 4.3 Control of Software..........................................................................................................................15 4.4 Hardware Upgrades.........................................................................................................................15 4.5 Other Advantages of Terminals.......................................................................................................15 4.6 Major Disadvantages of Terminals..................................................................................................15 4.7 Are Text Terminals Obsolete ?........................................................................................................16 5. Overview of How Terminals Work (in Linux).................................................................................16 5.1 Device Names.................................................................................................................................16 5.2 Login/Logout...................................................................................................................................16 5.3 Half/Full Duplex.............................................................................................................................16 5.4 Terminal Memory............................................................................................................................17 5.5 Commands for the Terminal............................................................................................................17 5.6 Lack of Standardization Solved by Terminfo..................................................................................17 5.7 The Interface....................................................................................................................................18