Arch Linux

Shadow256

Member

Registered: 2009-05-14

Posts: 18

Headless installation via serial console

Hello,

I'm trying to install Archlinux 2009.02 on my Scaleo 2205. It has no graphic card but redirects the BIOS output to serial console.

Is it possible to use this console for installation? Is it sufficient to use the ISOLINUX-CD and pass

arch console=ttyS0,115200n8

as boot parameter? Or do I have to build my own install cd?

Do you have any hints or documentation for this issue?

Regards
Shadow256

Last edited by Shadow256 (2009-07-06 20:40:17)

Kerek

Member

Registered: 2009-06-02

Posts: 7

Re: Headless installation via serial console

Check out this page:
http://www.mjmwired.net/kernel/Document … onsole.txt

To use a serial port as console you need to compile the support into your kernel - by default it is not compiled in. For PC style serial ports it's the config option next to "Standard/generic (dumb) serial support". You must compile serial support into the kernel and not as a module.

Assuming that the default arch kernel does not include serial support, you'll need to compile a custom kernel (as stated above).

In order to do this, first compile your kernel ( http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Ker … rom_Source ). Then use Archiso (http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Archiso) to create your custom install image. Best of luck!

Shadow256

Member

Registered: 2009-05-14

Posts: 18

Re: Headless installation via serial console

I just checked the 2009.02 cd and it seems that the support is compiled in. I will give it at try.

Regards
Shadow256

daf666

Member

Registered: 2007-04-08

Posts: 470

Website

Re: Headless installation via serial console

http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Wor … al_console

zowki

Member

From: Trapped in The Matrix

Registered: 2008-11-27

Posts: 582

Website

Re: Headless installation via serial console

Is it possible to do a headless installation via ssh?

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How's my programming? Call 1-800-DEV-NULL

tomk

Forum Fellow

From: Ireland

Registered: 2004-07-21

Posts: 9,839

Re: Headless installation via serial console

Someone would have to boot the install CD/USB and start the ssh server - after that, you could go headless via ssh.

Shadow256

Member

Registered: 2009-05-14

Posts: 18

Re: Headless installation via serial console

I installed it via ssh.

zowki

Member

From: Trapped in The Matrix

Registered: 2008-11-27

Posts: 582

Website

Re: Headless installation via serial console

Someone would have to boot the install CD/USB and start the ssh server - after that, you could go headless via ssh.

That wouldnt work if it was headless to start with, the only way is if the live installation starts the ssh server automatically.

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How's my programming? Call 1-800-DEV-NULL