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Terminal and Console Access

This course, held on May 29, 2011, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, focuses on mastering terminal and console access in UNIX/Linux systems. Participants will learn about virtual terminals, mouse daemon buffers, OOB and serial console access, and configuring console settings. Key topics include copy-pasting between terminals, using software like Minicom for console access, and remote management techniques. This course is ideal for anyone looking to enhance their skills in managing servers and switches without relying on a graphical user interface.

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Terminal and Console Access

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  1. Unix/IP Preparation Course May 29, 2011 Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Terminal and Console Access

  2. Contents • Virtual terminals • Mouse daemon buffer (if available) • Copy/paste between terminals • OOB and serial console access • Server/Switch console access (minicom)

  3. (Virtual) Consoles • Usually you have 6: • tty[1-6] • tty7 takes you back to X • Access them using ALT-CTRL-F[1-7] • Virtual terminals are very useful. If you run without a GUI, then they are your friend. • Some Unix/Linux versions have optional mouse daemons in text mode (FreeBSD).

  4. (Virtual) Consoles • Depending on Unix/Linux version these are defined in: • /etc/default/console-setup (Upstart) • /etc/inittab • /etc/ttys (FreeBSD) • /boot/defaults/loader.conf

  5. Copy/Paste Between Consoles • If you boot without a GUI (no gnome, KDE, etc.) and you have a mouse-daemon, the for example you can: • Highlight text in tty1 • Press ALT-CTRL-F2 to access tty2 • Place mouse in another file • Press middle-mouse button to paste text from tty1

  6. OOB and Serial Console Access • OOB or “Out Of Band” access: • Critical for remote management of servers. • How do you access a machine's BIOS remotely? • How do you access RAID BIOS remotely? In UNIX/Linux tell the boot loader to pass options to the kernel. The kernel can send output to ttyS0. Why is this useful?...

  7. OOB and Serial Console Access • Use serial to ethernet converter. • With an OOB solution connect to separate IP to view your machine's console. • During boot you can see your machine's console using terminal software connecting to a separate IP (user and password almost always required as well). • Set Kernel load options (for instance) in/boot/defaults/loader.conf

  8. Other OOB Options • Motherboard card with ethernet interface. Usually runs a web server with Java or ActiveX controls. (We recommend against ActiveX as this is a Windows only solution). • KVM over IP (more expensive, much simpler). KVM switch accessible via a single IP address. Standard monitor/keyboard/mouse connectors (or specialized. • Again, will use a web server w/ Java or ActiveX

  9. Questions • ?

  10. OOB and Serial Console AccessLinux Example • Sample /boot/grub/menu.1st file entry:title Ubuntu 8.04.2, kernel 2.6.24-23-serverroot (hd0,0)kernel /vmlinuz-2.6.24-23-server root=UUID=96e73009-3bf7-421e -a4bc-6de1d21eaa97 ro console=ttyS0,38400n8 console=tty0 quiet splashinitrd /initrd.img-2.6.24-23-serverquiet • What does this mean? • Key option for OOB serial console access is: • console=ttyS0,38400n8 console=tty0 • We'll look at an example now...

  11. Server/Switch Console Access • Connect serial cable from your machine to serial/aux port on switch or router. • Default settings in most cases are: • 9600 bps, 8 bits, no parity, 1 stop bit • Or, 9600 8n1 • Be sure that Hardware Flow Control is off (No). Your data cable probably does not have the lines for hardware flow control. • Your serial port is probably ttyS0.

  12. Console Access using Minicom • To configure 9600bps, 8-n-1, no hardware flow control and use ttyS0 in Minicom do: • sudo minicom • CTRL-a, z. Choose “cOnfigure Minicom” • Choose “Serial port setup” • Set Serial Device to /dev/ttyS0 • Set Hardware Flow Control to “No” • Exit, then press CTRL-a, z. Choose “comm Parameters” • Set Speed to 9600 • Exit. Exit Minicom (CTRL-a, x) and restart.

  13. Console Access using Minicom • When you start your device, if you need to send a BREAK do: • CTRL-a, f • Note, to ensure access to your serial port(s) you must run Minicom using sudo or as root.

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