# Display for APU2C4 **URL:** \ **Category:** Hardware\ **Created:** [27 January 2023 12:51 UTC](https://community.ipfire.org/t/display-for-apu2c4/9281 "2023-01-27T12:51:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![goerdi](https://community.ipfire.org/user_avatar/community.ipfire.org/goerdi/32/9771_2.png) [@goerdi](https://community.ipfire.org/u/goerdi)\ **Post date:** [27 January 2023 12:51 UTC](https://community.ipfire.org/t/display-for-apu2c4/9281/1 "2023-01-27T12:51:28Z")
Hi ! My router is an apu2c4 which has no graphical hardware interface … I remember in the beginning of it there were things like a serial terminal available (a display with serial port and a keyboard) i guess this is hard to find… 🙂 How can i realize at least a display at the apu 2c4 ? Ciao Gerd ---
**Author:** ![cfusco](https://community.ipfire.org/user_avatar/community.ipfire.org/cfusco/32/9213_2.png) [@cfusco](https://community.ipfire.org/u/cfusco)\ **Post date:** [27 January 2023 13:01 UTC](https://community.ipfire.org/t/display-for-apu2c4/9281/2 "2023-01-27T13:01:36Z")
You need a serial-usb adapter and a software terminal emulator. One that does not require a driver is [this](https://www.pcengines.ch/usbcom1a.htm) one. ---
**Author:** ![bbitsch](https://community.ipfire.org/user_avatar/community.ipfire.org/bbitsch/32/7420_2.png) [@bbitsch](https://community.ipfire.org/u/bbitsch)\ **Post date:** [27 January 2023 13:03 UTC](https://community.ipfire.org/t/display-for-apu2c4/9281/3 "2023-01-27T13:03:53Z")
The system console on the APU system is on the serial port ( RS232, V.24, … ). You access this console with a good old terminal ( VT100 or others ) or with an USB serial adapter and terminal software ( PuTTY for example ). Configuration of IPFire is mainly done by the WebGUI or SSH. The serial console is needed for installation or troubleshooting of systems with broken networking only. ---
**Author:** ![goerdi](https://community.ipfire.org/user_avatar/community.ipfire.org/goerdi/32/9771_2.png) [@goerdi](https://community.ipfire.org/u/goerdi)\ **Post date:** [27 January 2023 14:10 UTC](https://community.ipfire.org/t/display-for-apu2c4/9281/4 "2023-01-27T14:10:50Z")
Hi ! I know… but i said its standalone somewhere in the heating room where the switch and DSL Line is… I want only there a display to see what is going on during boot time… Ciao Gerd ---
**Author:** ![bbitsch](https://community.ipfire.org/user_avatar/community.ipfire.org/bbitsch/32/7420_2.png) [@bbitsch](https://community.ipfire.org/u/bbitsch)\ **Post date:** [27 January 2023 14:22 UTC](https://community.ipfire.org/t/display-for-apu2c4/9281/5 "2023-01-27T14:22:28Z")
> [@goerdi](#): > > I want only there a display to see what is going on during boot time… Two possible scenarios: - you are at place of your IPFire. With a laptop with USB adapter and terminal emulator you can watch the output. Or you buy an used real terminal ( no idea how the prices are ). - you want to watch from your working place, not in the installation room. A little computer ( Raspi for example ) with serial connection and terminal software can transport the data via ethernet to your working place. ---
**Author:** ![goerdi](https://community.ipfire.org/user_avatar/community.ipfire.org/goerdi/32/9771_2.png) [@goerdi](https://community.ipfire.org/u/goerdi)\ **Post date:** [27 January 2023 14:31 UTC](https://community.ipfire.org/t/display-for-apu2c4/9281/6 "2023-01-27T14:31:48Z")
Hi ! I want to watch it when im in the heating room w/o having a laptop or similar with me… 🙂 Ciao Gerd ---
**Author:** ![cfusco](https://community.ipfire.org/user_avatar/community.ipfire.org/cfusco/32/9213_2.png) [@cfusco](https://community.ipfire.org/u/cfusco)\ **Post date:** [27 January 2023 14:38 UTC](https://community.ipfire.org/t/display-for-apu2c4/9281/7 "2023-01-27T14:38:33Z")
With modern hardware, Raspeberry PI or equivalent cheap computer (even older models) + Null modem cable + USB2Serial adapter + keyboard + monitor.