How to get Micro ROS Agent docker working in serial mode? about docker

[julionce]

Hi @Kelly-Coffey, did you try to expose the device to the container with the --device option?
I think you could try something like:

sudo docker run -it --device /dev/serial/by-id/usb-FTDI_FT232R_USB_UART_AI02RNQC-if00-port0 serial --dev /dev/serial/by-id/usb-FTDI_FT232R_USB_UART_AI02RNQC-if00-port0

I hope it help you.

[Kelly-Coffey]

Hello, Thanks for the suggestion.
Since I was able to install and build Micro ROS agent in a ros:dashing docker I was able to make some progress on this issue. I also got some suggestions from Brandon Cannaday's blog https://www.losant.com/blog/how-to-access-serial-devices-in-docker

What resolved this issue is the following:
Setup: On VirtualBox running Ubuntu Virtual Machine with Micro-ROS Dockers

1. First verify FTDI FT232 Serial device is seen by the Host machine.
2. In VirtualBox Menus "Devices>USB>USB Devices" enable "FTDI FT232R USB UART"
3. In the Ubuntu virtual machine find the serial device name with ls /dev/serial/by-id/*

example:
ubu@ubu-VirtualBox:~$ ls /dev/serial/by-id/*
/dev/serial/by-id/usb-FTDI_FT232R_USB_UART_AI02RNQC-if00-port0

Since the USB serial port can be plug and unplugged mount the /dev folder and run the docker in Privileged mode with the following:

4. sudo docker run -it -v /dev:/dev --privileged microros/micro-ros-agent serial /dev/serial/by-id/usb-FTDI_FT232R_USB_UART_AI02RNQC-if00-port0

5. You should see
   Serial agent initialization... OK
   Enter 'q' for exit