Bytemark Console Shell
When you take out a host with Bytemark, we provide a login to our Serial Console Shell. This interface, built around a modified version of GNU Screen, provides two functions essential to remotely manage a host:
- Serial console access.
- The ability to turn your machine off and on (power cycle).
Additionally it will also allow you to setup watchdog rules, and reinstall your host remotely.
When you received access to your host you should have been sent instructions on how to connect to your console shell. If not you may consult these instructions.
Console Shell Operation
When you connect to the console shell you’ll immediately be presented with the serial console of your machine.
The serial console will allow you to login, exactly as you would when connecting remotely via the network. (This access is very useful if you’ve locked yourself out via a bad firewall rule, for example.)
A typical serial console would look something similar to this:
Using the Console Shell
If you’re not interested in interacting with your machine via the serial console you may bring up the actions menu by pressing ctrl-p ctrl+o – this will always work unless you’re in scrollback mode.
The action menu will allow you to carry out a number of common tasks:
- Change your kernel.
- Reboot your machine.
- Reinstall your machine.
- Manipulate your watchdog rules.
- Exit the actions menu.
These actions are more fully described upon the actions menu page.