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Console tips for VirtualBox FreeBSD guests #162

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Console tip for VirtualBox FreeBSD guests
HubTou Apr 8, 2023
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Console tip for VirtualBox FreeBSD guests
HubTou Apr 9, 2023
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40 changes: 40 additions & 0 deletions documentation/content/en/books/handbook/virtualization/_index.adoc
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Expand Up @@ -394,6 +394,46 @@ Mount the shared folder from within the guest system like this:
# mount_vboxvfs -w myshare /mnt
....

If you want to change the resolution of the console but `vidcontrol -i mode` returns an empty list, then you'll need to switch from the "vt" console driver to the "sc" console driver as explained in man:vidcontrol[1].
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@grahamperrin grahamperrin Sep 17, 2023 •
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If you want to change the resolution of the console but `vidcontrol -i mode` returns an empty list, then you'll need to switch from the "vt" console driver to the "sc" console driver as explained in man:vidcontrol[1].
If you want to change the resolution of the console, but `vidcontrol -i mode` returns an empty list: you may use the legacy man:syscons[4] alternative to the man:vt[4] console driver.
According to the manual page:
NOTE: the syscons driver is not compatible with systems booted via man:uefi[8].
Forcing use of syscons on such systems will result in no usable console.

This includes NOTE: as an AsciiDoc admonition.


Add the following line to [.filename]#/boot/loader.conf#:
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Add the following line to [.filename]#/boot/loader.conf#:
For syscons (sc), add the following line to [.filename]#/boot/loader.conf#:


[.programlisting]
....
kern.vty=sc
....

Then, after rebooting, you'll be able to list available console video modes and select one with `vidcontrol` (be sure to adjust the video memory setting for this VM in VirtualBox parameters to a sufficient value). For example:
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Then, after rebooting, you'll be able to list available console video modes and select one with `vidcontrol` (be sure to adjust the video memory setting for this VM in VirtualBox parameters to a sufficient value). For example:
Shut down the guest, then review its video memory setting.
Allow enough memory for the intended resolution.
After the guest boots, man:vidcontrol[1] will allow you to specify a listed mode.
For example:


[source,shell]
....
# vidcontrol -i mode
mode# flags type size font window linear buffer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
...
325 (0x145) 0x0000000f G 1280x1024x32 D 8x16 0xa0000 64k 64k 0xe0000000 5120k
...
# vidcontrol MODE_325
....

If this new video mode is acceptable, it can be permanently set on boot for all virtual consoles by adding it to [.filename]#/etc/rc.conf#:
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If this new video mode is acceptable, it can be permanently set on boot for all virtual consoles by adding it to [.filename]#/etc/rc.conf#:
If the new mode is acceptable, it can be set for all virtual consoles:


[.programlisting]
....
allscreens_flags="MODE_325"
Comment on lines +421 to +423
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[.programlisting]
....
allscreens_flags="MODE_325"
[source,shell]
....
# sysrc allscreens_flags+="MODE_325"

For the configuration to take effect, either reboot -r or restart the OS.

....

If you are using a foreign keyboard, you also need to add appropriate keymap and font lines to [.filename]#/etc/rc.conf#.
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If you are using a foreign keyboard, you also need to add appropriate keymap and font lines to [.filename]#/etc/rc.conf#.
If you use a foreign keyboard, you should also add appropriate keymap and font lines to [.filename]#/etc/rc.conf#.
See man:rc.conf[5].

Beware, the keymap files are different from "vt" to "sc" console types! Check [.filename]#/usr/share/syscons/keymaps# for appropriate values...
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@grahamperrin grahamperrin Sep 17, 2023 •
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Beware, the keymap files are different from "vt" to "sc" console types! Check [.filename]#/usr/share/syscons/keymaps# for appropriate values...
NOTE: keymap files for syscons differ from those for vt.
For appropriate values, see files in [.filename]#/usr/share/syscons/keymaps#.


For example, in order to set a French keyboard do:
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@grahamperrin grahamperrin Sep 17, 2023 •
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For example, in order to set a French keyboard do:
For example, to set a French keyboard, a font size, and font:


[.programlisting]
....
keymap="fr.iso.acc"
font8x16="iso-thin-8x16"
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I assume that this format suits syscons (not vt).

....

[[virtualization-host-virtualbox]]
== FreeBSD as a Host with VirtualBox(TM)

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