Serial Console

Several sub-compact devices do not provide initial output to a video device. A serial console must be used for installation

• NB many use 3.3 V or 5 V serial interfaces and are likely to be damaged if connected to the conventional COM socket on a PC
  • USB-serial cables are available cheaply and tend to use 3.3 V interface

Banana Pi

• requires serial console for initial installation
• Linux generally allocates these as /dev/ttyUSB0

Cubieboard

• requires serial console for initial installation

Raspberry Pi

• most software puts signal to a video port (Composite of HDMI) during initial installation
• use of a serial console for initial installation is optional