Serial port file transfer using X-Y-Z modem

SSH clients such as SecureCRT and TeraTerm allow you to send and receive files to and from connected serial devices using X, Y and Zmodem protocols.

Alternatively, the Opengear device itself includes the lrzsz utilities which can be used to transfer files directly e.g. between its internal mass storage and connected serial devices.

Note: File transfer speed is limited by the baud rate of the serial console connection and the *modem protocol.  For large transfers such system image downloads, use the Opengear device's built-in TFTP/FTP server where possible.

When running an lrzsz command, use the system-level serial port device files to specify the port number, e.g. Port 6 is: /dev/port06

Example 1, send a file "data.bin" to a device console on port 4 using Xmodem:

• Copy data.bin to the Opengear device's mass storage directory (e.g. anywhere under /var/mnt/storage.*/) using scp, WinScp or similar
• Login to the Opengear device CLI as root, or an admin-group user and become root

sudo -s

• Connect to the destination device console:

pmshell -l /dev/port04

• Run the Xmodem receive command on the destination device (this will be device specific)
• Disconnect the console session using the exit pmshell escape sequence
• Run the Xmodem send command on the Opengear device

lsz -X /var/mnt/storage.nvlog/data.bin > /dev/port04 < /dev/port04

• Wait for "Transfer complete"

Example 2, receive a file from a device console on port 6 using Zmodem:

• Login to the Opengear device CLI as root, or an admin-group user and become root

sudo -s

• Change directory to mass storage:

cd /var/mnt/storage.nvlog/ 

• Connect to the target device console:

pmshell -l /dev/port06

• Run the Zmodem send command on to the source device (this will be device specific)
• Disconnect the console session using the exit pmshell escape sequence
• Run the Zmodem receive command on the Opengear device (filename not required for Zmodem)

lrz > /dev/port06 < /dev/port06

• Wait for "Transfer complete"