[virt-tools-list] problems with domain installation

[Cole Robinson]

On 12/11/2009 03:52 AM, Tomas Macek wrote:
> Hi, I'm using redhat enterprise 5.4 with newest redhat kvm/qemu packages 
> installed for testing purposes.
> I'm trying to install debian lenny from ISO on the machine with only ssh access 
> using virt-install python script and the output is like this
> 
> --------------------------
> [root at localhost ~]# virt-install --connect qemu:///system -n fedora12 -f 
> ~/fedora12.qcow2 -s 3 -r 128 --accelerate --network=bridge:br0 --hvm 
> --location 
> http://download.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/releases/12/Fedora/i386/os/ 
> --nographics -x console=/dev/ttyS0
> 
> 
> Starting install...
> Retrieving file .treeinfo... 
> | 1.4 kB     00:00
> Retrieving file vmlinuz... 
> | 3.2 MB     00:00
> Retrieving file initrd.img... 
> |  22 MB     00:06
> Creating storage file... 
> | 3.0 GB     00:00
> Creating domain... 
> |    0 B     00:00
> Connected to domain fedora12
> Escape character is ^]
> 
> Domain installation still in progress. You can reconnect to
> the console to complete the installation process.
> 
> --------------------------
> 
> The problem is, that the fedora12 is created (can be seen with "virsh 
> list"), but 
> I'm unable to connect to the console using both "virsh console fedora12" 
> or 
> with minicom to /dev/pts/3 (I got the /dev/pts/3 from "virsh ttyconsole 
> fedora12" command).
> The same was the result when I tried to install Fedora 12.
> 
> I need to run the installation from the command line and not from the X window 
> interface like virt-manager, but the only thing I see is always the "Escape 
> character is ^]" as the output.
> I've spent a lot of time googling what I'm doing wrong, but the only replies 
> I've found was "... the vnc access is better, use it..." or that I should 
> redirect the installation console to serial device - I think I'm doing it with 
> the "-x console=/dev/ttyS0", so what's wrong?
> 

As far as I know that should work. Is the VM crashing maybe? What
happens above after the domain creation, does the console just sit there
after 'Escape character is ^]' or does it exit immediately? If it exits,
something went wrong.

When you say you are unable to connect using virsh console, do you mean
it doesn't print anything or the command fails? If it fails, please post
the output.

Thanks,
Cole