[c-nsp] Laptop USB-to-serial adapters - Break sequence?

[Jay Hennigan]

It seems that my trusty 1999-vintage laptop is on its last legs, and
the phrase "RS-232 port" draws even blanker stares than normal from
the salespeople at most computer stores.  Serial ports on laptops are
becoming rather scarce.

One of the main things for which I use a laptop is field service of
Cisco gear, which usually involves console access and occasionally
the need for sending a break sequence.

Apparently the preferred method of dealing with this problem is the
use ofa dongle that plugs into the laptop's USB port and provides a
9-pin serial plug.  There seem to be a plethora of these available
at various prices.

Who has gone down this road before?  Any recommendations or warnings?
Ideally something that is compatible with BSD or Linux and minicom,
although I'm actually beginning to like the new Mac laptops which
are BSD under the hood.

--
Jay Hennigan - CCIE #7880 - Network Administration - jay at west.net
WestNet:  Connecting you to the planet.  805 884-6323      WB6RDV
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