Very Computer

by **Ken Rossma** » Thu, 27 Jan 2000 04:00:00

Is it possible to configure Linux to run without a standard keyboard and
graphics adapter installed? Instead, can all "console" functions be
redirected to a serial port instead somehow?

Thanks,

/Ken

by JT » Thu, 27 Jan 2000 04:00:00

I usually disable keyboard from BIOS.
I think the kernel will default to a serial console if vga card is not
deteced at boot; it's described in the kernel src documentation.

JT

Quote:>Is it possible to configure Linux to run without a standard keyboard and
>graphics adapter installed? Instead, can all "console" functions be
>redirected to a serial port instead somehow?

>Thanks,

>/Ken

by **Just** » Thu, 27 Jan 2000 04:00:00

>I usually disable keyboard from BIOS.
>I think the kernel will default to a serial console if vga card is not
>deteced at boot; it's described in the kernel src documentation.

>JT

This has to be compiled in. There is an option while configuring the kernel
for console over serial port.

--
char justin;
justin = justin;

by **D. Stimit** » Thu, 27 Jan 2000 04:00:00

> Is it possible to configure Linux to run without a standard keyboard and
> graphics adapter installed? Instead, can all "console" functions be
> redirected to a serial port instead somehow?

> Thanks,

> /Ken

One of the "getty" programs (I forget exactly which one, possibly
getty or mgetty) allows you to do this. I doubt something like a
Beowulf cluster would be practical without it. I also recall there is
a kernel compile configuration that has to be enabled. Again, I don't
remember which it is, but check out getty, mgetty, and some of the
serial and character device options of kernel compile.

by **Mark Broadben** » Tue, 01 Feb 2000 04:00:00

> > Is it possible to configure Linux to run without a standard keyboard and
> > graphics adapter installed? Instead, can all "console" functions be
> > redirected to a serial port instead somehow?

> > Thanks,

> > /Ken

> One of the "getty" programs (I forget exactly which one, possibly
> getty or mgetty) allows you to do this. I doubt something like a
> Beowulf cluster would be practical without it. I also recall there is
> a kernel compile configuration that has to be enabled. Again, I don't
> remember which it is, but check out getty, mgetty, and some of the
> serial and character device options of kernel compile.

The kernel configs you require is in 'Character Devices' and you will have
to compile in the 'Standard/generic serial support' and 'Support for console
on serial port'. These both have to compiled in and not as modules.
Try looking at this HOWTO (although I'm not sure how good it is)
http://www.redhat.com/mirrors/LDP/HOWTO/Serial-HOWTO.html

Cheers
Mark

by **Gaston Lagaff** » Tue, 01 Feb 2000 04:00:00

Most PCs don't like to boot without a video card, no matter what OS they're running...

>> > Is it possible to configure Linux to run without a standard keyboard and
>> > graphics adapter installed? Instead, can all "console" functions be
>> > redirected to a serial port instead somehow?

>> > Thanks,

>> > /Ken

>> One of the "getty" programs (I forget exactly which one, possibly
>> getty or mgetty) allows you to do this. I doubt something like a
>> Beowulf cluster would be practical without it. I also recall there is
>> a kernel compile configuration that has to be enabled. Again, I don't
>> remember which it is, but check out getty, mgetty, and some of the
>> serial and character device options of kernel compile.

> The kernel configs you require is in 'Character Devices' and you will have
> to compile in the 'Standard/generic serial support' and 'Support for console
> on serial port'. These both have to compiled in and not as modules.
> Try looking at this HOWTO (although I'm not sure how good it is)
> http://www.redhat.com/mirrors/LDP/HOWTO/Serial-HOWTO.html

> Cheers
> Mark

by **Edward Le** » Wed, 02 Feb 2000 04:00:00

This issue had been discussed many times in this newsgroups. Some motherboard can and some cannot. I have a 486 without a
video board and keyboard, but with a boot code LED display and infra-red receiver (still working on it). My 486 run a
stripe down Debian 2.1 w/ Linux 2.2.14 and mp3 player.

> Most PCs don't like to boot without a video card, no matter what OS they're running...

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