Description of problem: When virt-install creates a new guest for an HVM install, it does not set up a qemu-dm serial console device (equivalent to serial = "pty" # enable serial console in a xen config file.) As a result, it is completely impossible to capture kernel serial console output from a guest install for debugging purposes. Version-Release number of selected component (if applicable): python-virtinst-0.99.0-1.el5.noarch.rpm
Created attachment 146709 [details] Enable a serial port in HVM guests The persistent config file created for HVM guests in /etc/xen already turns on the serial console. The libvirt XML used for the initial boot, however, does not define a serial port. The fix is simple - just add <console device='pty'/> To the XML used to create the guest. I have attached a patch which does just this. With this patch applied you should be able to do something like: virt-install -n new2 -r 500 -f /var/lib/xen/images/new2.img -s 2 --vnc -v -c /root/boot.iso -d And on the syslinux/grub boot command line add 'console=ttyS0 console=tty0' and then connect to the console with the usual 'xm console'. I have tested this with a FC6 fullvirt install.
This request was evaluated by Red Hat Product Management for inclusion in a Red Hat Enterprise Linux maintenance release. Product Management has requested further review of this request by Red Hat Engineering, for potential inclusion in a Red Hat Enterprise Linux Update release for currently deployed products. This request is not yet committed for inclusion in an Update release.
A python-virtinst-0.103.0-1.el5 update has been built in dist-5E-qu-candidate which addresses this bug. All HVM guests now have a serial console configured during install. * Tue May 1 2007 Daniel P. Berrange <berrange> - 0.103.0-1.el5 - Update to 0.103.0 upstream release (bz #243465) Example invocation for test Start a new guest... # virt-install --location http://qafiler.boston.redhat.com/redhat/rhel5-server-x86_64/ --hvm --vnc --noautoconsole --file /var/lib/xen/images/rhel5fv.img --file-size 5 --name rhel5fv --ram 500 And see it has a serial console configured # virsh dumpxml rhel5fv | grep console <console tty='/dev/pts/1'/> On the syslinux boot screen for Anaconda you can now request use of serial line & see output with 'virsh console rhel5fv'
Bug reproduced on GA, verified as fixed in python-virtinst-0.103.0-2.el5. Setting bug status to VERIFIED.
An advisory has been issued which should help the problem described in this bug report. This report is therefore being closed with a resolution of ERRATA. For more information on the solution and/or where to find the updated files, please follow the link below. You may reopen this bug report if the solution does not work for you. http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHEA-2007-0636.html