IGT-20 / IGT-30 is shipped with Debian Linux pre-installed, meaning it’s possible for users to power it on immediately upon receiving them without additional time-comsuming actions to complete the installation of a proper OS for just trying some ideas. However, designed for industrial IoT, internet of thing, applications, IGT-20 / IGT-30 is a headless device. Therefore to using it, one has to remotely log into the system. There are two approach for this purpose. One is via the console port, and the other is using SSH. This article describes how to connect IGT-20 / IGT-30, via console port.

Preparation

To connect and log in to IGT-20 / IGT-30, we’ll need to prepare the following items:

• IGT-20 / IGT-30, hereafter the device
• 10-pin terminal
• Power supply unit, PSU
• Open end to female DB-9 cable
• A console client with RS-232 port

Of course, we will need the device and a proper PSU. The device accepts a wide DC input range. For IGT-20, the range is from 8 to 25 VDC, while that of IGT-30 is from 12 to 25VDC. A PSU with output between this range usually works fine. Console port of the device has RS-232 signal, and locates at the 10-pin connector X1 on IGT-20 and X3 on IGT-30. And thus we need an open-end DB-9 cable to connect the devices with the console client, which is usually a PC or laptop.

Wiring

Connect the open end of the DB-9 cable to the 10-pin terminal block as the following figure. And push this terminal block into X1 of IGT-20 or X3 of IGT-30, while the DB-9 into the COM port of the host.

The DC input connector is a 3-pin terminal block. Connect it to PSU as the following figure.

Login with PuTTY

PuTTY is commonly used console client software running on Windows and Linux. Information can be found here. Assume that PuTTY is well installed on the client PC with COM port connected to the device as described earlier, open this PuTTY application.

Since we are going to connect to the device via COM, click “Serial” in the Category box to the left of the window.

Assign the communication parameters, i.e. Speed, Data bits, Stop bits, Parity and Flow control, as shown in the figure right above. The box “Serial line to connect to” has to been fitted with the correct COM port notation. This figure was taken in Windows. The value might be something like “/dev/ttyS1” or “/dev/ttyUSB0” in Linux.

After communication parameters are assigned, click “Session” to back to the previous window, and then choose the Connection type to “Serial”. At this moment, PuTTY looks like the following figure except that the Serial line might be different depending on which COM port is used.

Now click Open to start the communication. If everything is fine, a console window will pop up.

There is no any content shown because device has not yet been powered up. After turn it on, we can see messages passing by for a while, and come to the login prompt eventually.

Type “root” here and then hit Enter. You’ll get into the default shell of IGT-20 / IGT-30 and enjoy.

Note

It’s strongly advised to change the password after initial login for the sake of system security.