> > > > >Isn't there a better way to identify a serial console?
> > > >
> > > > I don't understand. What do you expect the boot loader to do?
> > >
> > > I'm not sure, that's why I asked the list :-) Really, what I was asking
> > > is if there is a better way to detect a serial console.. Rather than the
> > > current logic of "If there is no keyboard, there must be a serial
> > > console". I can think of N reasons why a box would have no keyboard
> > > attached, besides having a serial console.
> >
> > Actually, there aren't very many. If you don't have a keyboard, you need
> > a console of some sort. If you don't have a console, you've made enough
> > modifications to be undaunted by removing two bytes from /boot.config.
>
> "Don't have a keyboard" != "No keyboard detected" != "Serial Console".
No keyboard detected -> local console won't be used -> use serial console
> Ok, so they can't be probed. However, I HAVE thought about it for a
> minute, and, to be honest, I still don't see why my proposal is entirely
> nonsensical. :-) Would you mind explaning your argument? For clarity,
> I'll explain mine again... Perhapas we're just not on the same wavelength:
>
> >From boot(8):
>
> -P probe the keyboard. If no keyboard is found, the -D and
> -h options are automatically set.
>
> Instead of that behaviour, I am suggesting a more forgiving behaviour:
>
> 1. Probe for a keyboard.
> 2. Is there a keyboard?
> Yes - Boot from the local console
> No - Display "Keyboard not found. Using serial console in 10 seconds,
> press any key to abort"
This is as stupid as the "Keyboard error - Press F1 to continue" message
that several BIOS vendors are so fond of. If there's no keyboard
attached, you can't hit a key. Not very smart.
> 3. Was a key pressed in 10 seconds?
> Yes - Boot from the local console
> No - Display "Booting from serial console"
> Boot from the serial console
There's also not enough code space in the bootstrap for this frippery.
If you want to use a local keyboard, make sure it's plugged in. We don't
have a diagnostic for when you forget eg. to install your disk drive
either...
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