[Bug 537849] Re: fails to deal with a serial console correctly

[Michal]

I have got the same problem.
HP ProLiant ML110 G6 with Lights-Out card. Ubuntu 10 LTS.
The card offers an independent system providing access over network (separate Ethernet interface) to serial interface (COM1).
I could setup BIOS access quite easily. I had no problems to provide login prompt and terminal access to the system.
The only issue was with GRUB and messages as stated above.
As far as I understand what is  happening: 
 - BIOS grabs the serial interface to provide console services there. 
 - As the control is passed to grub the ttyS0 is still grabbed by BIOS service.
 - GRUB tries to setup the port with "serial" command and it causes "error: bad unit number." message. 
With that observation I simply decided to "use" this redirection, so I let GRUB use the "console".
GRUB thinks he is writing on the screen, but BIOS redirects this output to ttyS0 (COM1).
Here is my config:
===============
GRUB_DEFAULT=0
GRUB_HIDDEN_TIMEOUT=7
GRUB_HIDDEN_TIMEOUT_QUIET=false
GRUB_TIMEOUT=7
GRUB_DISTRIBUTOR=`lsb_release -i -s 2> /dev/null || echo Debian`
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet"
#GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX=""
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX="console=tty0 console=ttyS0,115200n8"

# Uncomment to disable graphical terminal (grub-pc only)
GRUB_TERMINAL=console
#GRUB_TERMINAL=serial
#GRUB_SERIAL_COMMAND="serial --speed=115200 --unit=0 --word=8 --parity=no --stop=1"
===============
The only disadvantage is "jumping cursor" (it appears like crazy in various positions on the screen).
Apart of that you have 7 seconds to press ESC key to stop autoboot. If you press the key the GRUB menu appears.
So now I have remote access to all three stages - BIOS setting, GRUB menu and system console.

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https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/537849

Title:
  fails to deal with a serial console correctly

Status in grub-installer package in Ubuntu:
  Confirmed

Bug description:
  Binary package hint: grub-installer

  When I install lucid on a serial console, grub-installer fails to
  setup the kernel options correctly.

  On the machine in question, console=ttyS1,38400 - this is not what
  grub-installer sets up.

  After manually fixing default/grub and running update-grub, I still
  see:

  error: bad unit number.
  error: unknown terminal 'serial'
  .
  error: unknown command `terminal'.
  error: unknown terminal 'serial'
  .
  error: unknown command `terminal'.

  before the kernel boot proceeds.

  lamont

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