I prefer a high speed serial connection to the normal 9600, we use 115200 of 57600.

Console Redirection in Bios

To see the post messages and access your bios setup screens, enable console redirection in the bios if available

Grub

Modify /boot/grub/grub.conf to enable serial console Add: serial --unit=0 --speed=115200 terminal Add to kernel line: console=tty0 console=ttyS0,115200n8 Remove: splashimage hiddenmenu

Booted System

Start a getty process on ttyS0 at the same speed specified in grub.conf Add this to /etc/inittab # serial console co:2345:respawn:/sbin/agetty ttyS0 115200 vt102

About the Author...

Thomas Uphill

Thomas Uphill

Thomas is a meat popsicle. Thomas started working with UNIX while at SFU and UBC in Vancouver. Starting out on IRIX, HPUX and Solaris, he quickly transitioned to Linux in the early 90s.  He has been a System Administrator and a Developer working mainly in Python and C.  He's written several technology books, many dealing with Puppet and Configuration Management.

He is available for side projects under his LLC, https://uphillian.com

He lives and works in Seattle, in Pacific Northwest tradition he is an avid Mountain Biker and Hiker.