Edit Files via Serial Console (SAC)

For Dedicated Servers and Server Power Deals managed in the server administration of the IONOS account

This article explains how to edit files from the serial console.

The edit command originates from DOS times and allows editing files.

With the following command you can edit the text file C:\Test.txt.

edit C:\Test.txt 

Special characters:

Editing in a text-based application via a terminal has a few pitfalls. For example, if you enter a backslash with a German keyboard, a ß (SZ) will appear stubbornly instead. Similar behavior occurs for all other characters that are normally available via the AltGr key, including: ~ [ ] { } @

The problem arises when passing the control commands required for the special characters through the terminal emulation and the command prompt to the application, in this case Edit. This behavior may also occur with other editors/applications. However, there should be no problems at the command prompt directly.

However, in order to enter a backslash, for example, the control commands listed in the table below must be converted. For a backslash, normally press[AltGr]+ß. In the terminal environment you need the combination[Alt]+ß.

According to the table you get[Alt] by pressing[Esc] and then[Ctrl]+A. Only the key sequence immediately after[Esc] (in this case[Ctrl]+A) must be pressed simultaneously ([Esc] must be released before). Then press the key with the desired character, i.e. ß for the backslash or q for @.

To exit (and save) Edit, press[Alt]+F, that is: Esc],[Ctrl]+A and then F. This opens the Edit file menu, where you can save the edited file and/or close Edit.