Syslinux - Mar 2006 - Re: Install Red Hat AS 4 from iLO on a HP DL380?

On Fri, 10 Mar 2006, Herta Van den Eynde wrote:
> I'm trying to install Red Hat Advanced Server AS 4 on a HP Proliant
DL380G4.
> Unlike e.g. the DL360, the DL380 does not have the option to set the OS in
the
> BIOS.
> As soon as the installation starts, i.e. even before you get to the point
> where you can enter "boot" and whatever boot options you want to
use, the
> server switches to graphics mode, meaning I cannot access it from basic
iLO.
> Is there a way to overcome this?
Red Hat is using the 'display' directive in the syslinux config-file 
(isolinux/isolinux.cfg) and provides a splash screen that enables graphics 
mode (when this is supported).

See also: http://syslinux.zytor.com/faq.php

I see no other option to disable this splash-screen, other than somehow
let the BIOS advertise only text-mode is supported.

If this is not possible, you might want to investigate into PXE 
booting, or providing your own (custom) ISO image or floppy image without 
this splash-screen.

I think it is a valid question to raise why text-mode is not the default, 
as we have the same problem :) (and most remote consoles either are 
text-based or require a stupid and slow java-interface)

I included the syslinux mailinglist to confirm there is no other way to 
disable the graphical boot, other than changing the syslinux config.

Kind regards,
--   dag wieers,  dag at wieers.com,  http://dag.wieers.com/   --
[all I want is a warm bed and a kind word and unlimited power]

Dag Wieers wrote:
> On Fri, 10 Mar 2006, Herta Van den Eynde wrote:
> 
> 
>>I'm trying to install Red Hat Advanced Server AS 4 on a HP Proliant
DL380G4.
>>Unlike e.g. the DL360, the DL380 does not have the option to set the OS
in the
>>BIOS.
>>As soon as the installation starts, i.e. even before you get to the
point
>>where you can enter "boot" and whatever boot options you want
to use, the
>>server switches to graphics mode, meaning I cannot access it from basic
iLO.
>>Is there a way to overcome this?
> 
> Red Hat is using the 'display' directive in the syslinux
config-file
> (isolinux/isolinux.cfg) and provides a splash screen that enables graphics 
> mode (when this is supported).
> 
> See also: http://syslinux.zytor.com/faq.php
> 
> I see no other option to disable this splash-screen, other than somehow
> let the BIOS advertise only text-mode is supported.
> 
> If this is not possible, you might want to investigate into PXE 
> booting, or providing your own (custom) ISO image or floppy image without 
> this splash-screen.
> 
> I think it is a valid question to raise why text-mode is not the default, 
> as we have the same problem :) (and most remote consoles either are 
> text-based or require a stupid and slow java-interface)
> 
> I included the syslinux mailinglist to confirm there is no other way to 
> disable the graphical boot, other than changing the syslinux config.
> 
There is, actually; if you press Ctrl-X then syslinux/pxelinux/isolinux 
will drop out of graphics mode and go to text mode.  This assumes basic 
iLO won't squelsh the keyboard in graphics mode, which it very well 
might; the whole basic vs advanced iLO is such a completely stupid 
arrangement.

However, if it doesn't, you can let the screen go dead, wait a few 
seconds, and press Ctrl-X.  That should bring the machine back to text mode.

	-hpa