Virtual machine console

[Bergcube]

The virtual machine console defaults to a resolution of 1024 x 768.
Is there any way to set a different resolution for the console screen?

I notice that the URL for the console contains "vnc-direct".
Does this mean that it is possible to use a stand-alone VNC client to access the console?



Kind regards,
Bjørn Ingmar Berg

 

[udo]

The virtual machine console defaults to a resolution of 1024 x 768.
Is there any way to set a different resolution for the console screen?

Hi Bjoern,
if you switch the resolution in the client up to 1280*1024 (the max) then you get a bigger console.

I notice that the URL for the console contains "vnc-direct".
Does this mean that it is possible to use a stand-alone VNC client to access the console?

if you use following in /etc/inetd.conf:

5901 stream tcp nowait root /usr/sbin/qm qm vncproxy 101 password

you can connect with a normal vnc-client to port 5901 (IP from the host) for the console of vm 101.
But, if you migrate the vm to antoher host, the console-access is gone!

Udo

 

[Bergcube]

If you switch the resolution in the client up to 1280*1024 (the max) then you get a bigger console.

Ok. Then I must admit to my ignorance: How do I do that? I have tried changing it in the virtual machine itself, and that simply does not work.

if you use following in /etc/inetd.conf:

5901 stream tcp nowait root /usr/sbin/qm qm vncproxy 101 password

you can connect with a normal vnc-client to port 5901 (IP from the host) for the console of vm 101.
But, if you migrate the vm to antoher host, the console-access is gone!

Then I assume this is in the /etc/inetd.conf of the Proxmox host and not within the virtual machine itself?
This last part sounds very promising; I am going to give it a try right away.


Thanks, Udo!
Bjørn Ingmar

 

[udo]

Ok. Then I must admit to my ignorance: How do I do that? I have tried changing it in the virtual machine itself, and that simply does not work.

I try it with an windows-guest: systemconfig - display - at maximum is 1280*1024 possible.
I haven't try it with an linux-vm.

Then I assume this is in the /etc/inetd.conf of the Proxmox host and not within the virtual machine itself?

Right, the guest don't know the display-sharing and it's work with all kind of guests.

Udo

 

[Bergcube]

The virtual machine is a fully virtualised (KVM) Ubuntu Linux 9.10. It does not "see" that the "hardware" can do 1280*1024. Editing the X configuration file of the VM trying to force it to use a higher resolution does not work. I guess this happens because Linux actually looks at the hardware and acts in a sane way accordingly, whereas Windows tends to do blindly whatever the operator asks. Seems in this particular case the windows way works out better.
I am guessing I need the "hardware" to "tell" linux it can do 1280*1024...

When you write

5901 stream tcp nowait root /usr/sbin/qm qm vncproxy 101 password

do you mean that "password" should be written as is, or replaced with the VMs actual administrator / root password?

And the /etc/inetd.conf file has many predefined sections. Does it matter where in the file I insert the line?

So far I added this line verbatim at the end of the file, rebooted the host, and tested. And that did not work.


Bjørn Ingmar

 

[udo]

The virtual machine is a fully virtualised (KVM) Ubuntu Linux 9.10. It does not "see" that the "hardware" can do 1280*1024. Editing the X configuration file of the VM trying to force it to use a higher resolution does not work. I guess this happens because Linux actually looks at the hardware and acts in a sane way accordingly, whereas Windows tends to do blindly whatever the operator asks. Seems in this particular case the windows way works out better.
I am guessing I need the "hardware" to "tell" linux it can do 1280*1024...

I hate windows too, but it's reconise an Cirrus Logic graphic adapter - thats right.

When you write

5901 stream tcp nowait root /usr/sbin/qm qm vncproxy 101 password

do you mean that "password" should be written as is, or replaced with the VMs actual administrator / root password?

And the /etc/inetd.conf file has many predefined sections. Does it matter where in the file I insert the line?

The password is the vnc-password. You should use a different from the admin-pw ;-) - normaly vnc supportet only a password lenght of eight. I don't know if this is the same with this solution.
It's equal where the line is - put them just at the end. And don't forget to restart inetd.
I use that, to give some user direct access to their clients.

Udo

 

[Bergcube]

Follow-up...:

I read the man-pages for vncviewer, and figured out what was needed. So now I can connect to the VM console. Thanks a lot Udo!

Now I "only" got to find a way to change the resolution.


Bjørn Ingmar

 

[Bergcube]

I am guessing that for several VMs I can do something like this:

5901 stream tcp nowait root /usr/sbin/qm qm vncproxy 101 pass101
5902 stream tcp nowait root /usr/sbin/qm qm vncproxy 102 pass102
5903 stream tcp nowait root /usr/sbin/qm qm vncproxy 103 pass103
5904 stream tcp nowait root /usr/sbin/qm qm vncproxy 104 pass104
etc.

Or am I wrong?


Bjørn Ingmar

 

[udo]

Right,
you got it.

Udo

 

[Bergcube]

I must be making some mistake.

1. I tried stopping the Ubuntu KVM machine, setting the Video Graphics Adapter to Cirrus Logic GD5446, and rebooting. No way to get 1280*1024 resolution.
2. I created a new Ubuntu KVM machine, using the Video Graphics Adapter Cirrus Logic GD5446 from the very start. No way to get 1280*1024 resolution.

In case it matters: I use Ubuntu 9.10 32 bit desktop edition. Has anybody managed to get this working? If so I'd appreciate the help.

Bjørn Ingmar