Weblog – Thomas S. Iversen

I had to install ubuntu 10.04 server edition over the serialport. This is doable, but requires a keyboard to be attached and keys pressed blindly in the right sequence. Here is a little cookbook on what to press:

1. Run a terminal client on the serial console device. Configure the serial port to either the failsafe 9600 n-8-1, Hardware Flow Control=NONE, or to the much speedier 115200 n-8-1, Hardware Flow Control=NONE. The latter should be used only if the serial port in both ends support this kind of speed.
2. Boot the server with the ubuntu 10.04 server install media in the CD/DVD drive, or from a USB ke
3. When it has booted into the installation menu (takes a couple of seconds), then do this
   • Press ‘Enter’ (for language selection)
   • Press ‘F6′ (Other Options)
   • Press ‘ESC’ (to close the Other Options Menu)
   • Press ‘Backspace’ 3 Times (to delete “– “)
   • Type ‘console=ttyS0,115200n8 — ‘
   • Press ‘Enter’
4. Installation willl continue, ouputting the dialogs on the serial device.

You should ofcourse replace ttyS0 with another serial device, if applicable. I am at a loss as to why I have to do this in order for me to install Ubuntu Server 10.04 over the serial port in 2010!