Depending on how the virtual machine console device has been configured, it is possible to access the console in a number of different ways.  The sections listed below describe example configurations and other useful notes detailing how set up and use the different console access methods.

For complete reference on all configuration options related to accessing the virtual serial console device, see the section [ttya] Section of the Configuration Reference and the section Managing Virtual Machines.

Physical Console Access

For physical console access, the virtual machine must be configured to attach the virtual serial port to a physical serial port on the host system.  The following configuration extract demonstrates how to attach the virtual serial port to the host device, /dev/ttyS0.

The remaining serial port configuration options, such as speed, parity and stop-bits must be configured using the ttya-mode variable in the Open Boot guest environment.  The following example shows the default configuration values for ttya-mode.

For a complete reference on how to configure the serial options in Open Boot, see the [ttya] Section of the Console Reference chapter.

Console Access from CHARON-SSP Manager

From the CHARON-SSP Manager it is possible to access the serial console, via the Console tab.  The example below shows the console of a SPARCstation 20 that has booted the SunOS 4.1.4 installation CDROM.

To configure the serial console to be accessed from the CHARON-SSP Manager, use a configuration for the TTYA section similar to the one below.

Console Access from the Network

The serial console can also be configured for remote access across the network.  The configuration extra below demonstrates configuring the guest console, ttya to accept incoming connections from port 9000/tcp on the host.

At this point, any terminal emulator with telnet capability can be used to connect to the port and access the guest system's serial console.

Graphical Console Access

Although not a graphical console, per-se, the CHARON-SSP Manager has the ability to connect to an X11 login session using the XDMCP protocol.  The screenshot below shows an X11 session from CHARON-SSP Manager to a guest running Oracle Solaris 10.

Enabling XDMCP

Before switching to the Xserver, it is first necessary to ensure that XDMCP is enabled on the guest system.  The actions for enabling XDMCP are different, depending on the version of Solaris or SunOS installed on the guest.  Follow the relevant sub-section below to configure XDMCP on your guest.

Solaris 2.5 and higher

Use the following instructions to enable remote login over XDMCP on Solaris 2.5 and higher.

Solaris 10 and HIgher

Use the following commands to enable remote login over XDMCP on Solaris 10 and higher.

Starting the Xserver

Once XDMCP has been enabled on the guest, use the following instructions to start the Xserver display.

Stopping the Xserver

To stop the X11 Server, follow the instructions below.