Using USB to Serial in Ubuntu 12.04 - /dev/ttyUSB0 missing

Question

I'm trying to connect a usb-serial adapter to Ubuntu 12.04 (on a VM). For some reason, there is no /dev entry for it. I've tried several adapters from different manufacturers - With no success.

Also, I have a 10.04 VM on which I connect the adapter and it appears in /dev/ttyUSB0 immediately

I'm not a very proficient linux user. Do I need to install a driver of some sort?

Solution 1

I would disconnect it and tail syslog while connecting it again. I have a USB to serial device that appears as something like /dev/ttyACM0 (I think. I'm at work now), so look for /dev/ttyA*

Solution 2

dmesg didn't change when I inserted / removed the usb, leading me to thing that udev (i think) is frozen.

Restarting the system fixed it. (Obviously)

Sorry for wasting the cyber-space