How to install Ubuntu using serial console

This instruction show you how to install Ubuntu with serial console without VGA. We have tested the following instructions under UEFI boot and legacy boot mode.

USB boot-disk setup

1. Download an ubuntu server amd64 iso file

2. Create a USB boot disk using unetbootin

3. Modify the following files. If you still use legacy bios boot mode, modify isolinux/isolinux.cfg, isolinux/txt.cfg, syslinux.cfg. If you use UEFI boot mode, modify boot/grub/grub.cfg only.

   • isolinux/isolinux.cfg

   # D-I config version 2.0
   include menu.cfg
   default menu.c32
   prompt 0
   timeout 0
   

   • isolinux/txt.cfg

   default install
   label install
     menu label ^Install Ubuntu Server
     kernel /install/vmlinuz
     append vga=normal initrd=/install/initrd.gz -- console=tty0 console=ttyS0,115200n8 nosplash debug -
   

   • syslinux.cfg

   CONSOLE 0
   SERIAL 0 115200 0
   
   default menu.c32
   prompt 0
   menu title UNetbootin
   timeout 100
   
   label unetbootindefault
   kernel /ubnkern
   append vga=normal initrd=/ubninit nomodeset askmethod console=tty0 console=ttyS0,115200n8
   

   • boot/grub/grub.cfg

   Add serial console options and remove quiet option in the menuentry of "Insatall Ubuntu Server"

   menuentry "Install Ubuntu Server" {
       set gfxpayload=keep
       linux   /install/vmlinuz  file=/cdrom/preseed/ubuntu-server.seed vga=normal console=tty0 console=ttyS0,115200n8 ---
       initrd  /install/initrd.gz
       }
   

Hardware configuration

1. Enter BIOS.

2. Setup serial port setting to allow console redirection.

   • Enter "Advanced Setup Configurations" Tab

     • Enter "Super IO Configuration" option

        Serial Port 0 Configuration /Serial Port 1 Configuration
        Serial Port: Enabled
       

     • Enter "Serial Port Console Redirection" option

        Terminal Type: VT100+
        Bits Per second: 115200
        Data Bits: 8 Bits
        Parity: None
        Stop Bits: 1
        Flow Control: None
        VT-UTF8 Combo Key Support: Enabled
        Recorder Mode: Disabled
        Resolution 100x31: Enabled
        Legacy OS Redirection Resolution: 80x25
        Putty KeyPad: VT100
        Redirection After BIOS Post: Always Enable
       

3. Select boot partition

   • Enter "Boot" Tab

   Set UEFI USB disk boot or USB disk as first boot priority at Boot Option

4. Save current BIOS configuration and reboot

Client setup

1. Attach serial console from client

% screen /dev/ttyS0 115200

Ubuntu Installation

1. Proceed normal Ubuntu installation.

2. At the phase of GRUB installation, select your correct boot disk for boot loader. An Ubuntu 14.04 installation boot disk may be "/dev/sda" in case that you use USB boot.

   /dev/sdb
   

3. Install SSH daemon and avahi-daemon to configure the system after this installation.

4. (Optional) When you see the dialog at "Finish the installation", check "" and select "start shell" to check host IP address in a DHCP environment with the following command.

   $ ip addr show
   

First boot after the installation

1. Enter editing mode of grub boot option with key e, when you see grub boot menu on serial console.

2. Add console options after ro in linux boot options

   linux ..... ro console=tty0 console=ttyS0,115200n8
   

3. Boot linux with current grub configuration by Ctrl-x

Post setup

1. Grub configuration

   • Edit /etc/default/grub as follows:

   GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT=""
   GRUB_TERMINAL='serial console'
   GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX="console=tty0 console=ttyS0,115200n8"
   GRUB_SERIAL_COMMAND="serial --speed=115200 --unit=0 --word=8 --parity=no --stop=1"
   

   • Update grub configuration

   # update-grub
   

Tested Ubuntu and Hardware

Ubuntu version

• Ubuntu 14.04 LTS
• Ubuntu 15.10
• Ubuntu 16.04 LTS
• Ubuntu 16.04.1 LTS

Tested hardware

• Lanner FW-7551
• Lanner FW-8896
• Lanner NCA-4010
• Riava Rangeley server

Reference

• http://pcengines.info/forums/?page=post&id=E25612E9-84F0-4DCF-A876-1E92FD1D065C
• https://help.ubuntu.com/community/SerialConsoleHowto