RedHat 5.11 - Kerel 2.6xxx
To setup a serial console, do the following:
(Note: a more explicit explanation can be found at
http://www.ibiblio.org/pub/Linux/docs/HOWTO/other-formats/html_single/Remote-Serial-Console-HOWTO.html
1) Configure grub (Note: This assumes COM1(or ttyS0) will be used)
Added to /etc/grub.conf:
serial --unit=0 --speed=9600 --word=8 --parity=no --stop=1
terminal --timeout=10 serial console
Comment out:
splashimage=(hd0,0)/grub/splash.xpm.gz
Append to kernel definition that should use serial console:
console=tty0 console=ttyS0,9600n8
Example configuration:
default=0
timeout=10
serial --unit=0 --speed=9600 --word=8 --parity=no --stop=1
terminal --timeout=10 serial console
#splashimage=(hd0,0)/grub/splash.xpm.gz
title Red Hat Linux (2.4.18-14)
root (hd0,0)
kernel /vmlinuz-2.4.18-14 ro root=LABEL=/ console=tty0 console=ttyS0,9600n8
initrd /initrd-2.4.18-14.img
title Red Hat Linux (2.4.18-14) Single User
root (hd0,0)
kernel /vmlinuz-2.4.18-14 ro root=LABEL=/ console=tty0 console=ttyS0,9600n8 s
initrd /initrd-2.4.18-14.img
2) Turn on a getty
Added to /etc/inittab
# Used for remote console
ko:2345:respawn:/sbin/agetty -h ttyS0 9600 xterm
Change initdefault to 3
id:3:initdefault:
3) Allow root to login from serial console
Added to /etc/securetty
ttyS0
4) Remove saved console settings
rm /etc/ioctl.save
5) Alter target of /dev/systty
Change stty entry in /etc/makedev.d/linux-2.4.x to
l systty ttyS0
Recreate systty device
cd dev
rm systty
./MAKEDEV systty
6) Changed the variables in /etc/sysconfig/init to:
BOOTUP=serial
PROMPT=no
7) Change variable in /etc/sysconfig/kudzu to
SAFE=yes
Reboot....
When kudzu asks:
"Keep" the mouse configuration
"Configure" the serial console port