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Date:      Mon, 20 Oct 2014 06:16:14 -0500
From:      "Martin G. McCormick" <martin@server1.shellworld.net>
To:        freebsd-questions@freebsd.org
Subject:   Still Trying to Run Installer Through Serial Port
Message-ID:  <20141020111614.8A227228B7@server1.shellworld.net>

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	Is there a way to cause an unmodified FreeBSD9.1
installation disk to run a serial console?
	Since I am unable to create a modified ISO image
of the installation disk that will fit back on to a CDROM, I am
grasping at straws, now. While this could be called a headless
installation, it actually is being done locally but I can't use
the video display on the target system. The usual procedure if a
computer user is blind is to use a computer that is working as a
terminal in to the target system and, by whatever means is at
hand, direct things from that terminal.
	The FreeBSD handbook mentions a small pause in the boot
process that allows the caller to insert boot parameters such as
to call up a serial console, etc.
	Will that work off of a standard new installation disk?
	If so, it more or less resolves the impasse I am at right
now.
	A long time ago, I think in about FreeBSD4 or so, one
could actually boot the installation medium in to a serial
console without any modifications to the image.
	That capability went away around FreeBSD 6 or so but one
could modify the image and stuff it back on to a new CDROM
without too much trouble.
	If the ability to start a serial console is back in some
form again, I can go ahead and finish this project.
	Thanks for all constructive suggestions.

Martin McCormick



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