Ubuntu Server edition does not recognize serial console during installation

[Lars Noodén]

Ubuntu Server edition can install a system on a headless device but at no point during the installation does it ask whether the server should be set to actually use the console (com0:) in the future. Since many servers are headless, there should be an option to activate the console. The installer should detect whether or not the installation is done over serial connection and then base the default settings on the speed and other values used during the installation.

[Lars Noodén (larsnooden)]

I should add that this is on the latest Precise image.

[Launchpad Janitor (janitor)]

Status changed to 'Confirmed' because the bug affects multiple users.

[James Brierley (jmb8710)]

It may be worth mentioning that Debian's own debian-installer (at least when I last used it) does detect when installation is being conducted over serial and adds a line to inittab enabling serial logins. This should perhaps be adapted to add a ttyS0.conf for Upstart.

During a serial Ubuntu install, the relevant configuration *is* added to the generated grub.cfg (i.e. the GRUB menu will appear on the serial line) but console=ttyS0,9600n8 (or whatever) is not appended to the kernel line so boot messages will likewise be sent over serial. And, crucially, since Upstart has not been instructed to start a getty, serial logins are not possible.

A workaround until this is fixed is to install over serial, then upon reboot temporarily edit GRUB's kernel line with console=ttyS{port},{baud} and single for single user mode. Then add the relevant .conf for Upstart, change /etc/default/grub to append the correct console parameters to the kernel line by default, run update-grub, and reboot. You should then be able to see all your boot messages and log in.