Tools/Linux/Ubuntu/HeadlessInstall14.04

Here is how to install Ubuntu 14.04 LTS on a computer without display. It will use the serial port (RS232) for configuring the computer to be installed.

Prerequisites

• One host computer
  • A serial port (A USB to RS232 convert will work)
  • A terminal emulator
  • A software for writing USB bootable media unetbootin
• One target computer
• One RS232 null-modem cable (female-female)

Tested on

• PC Engines apu14d

Go for it

• Install Ubuntu 14.04 Netinstall (64 bit if possible) on a bootable media (use unetbootin)
• Edit syslinux.cfg on the bootable media

serial 0 115200
default do_it
prompt 0
menu title Headless Ubuntu 14.04 LTS setup
timeout 100
 
label do_it
menu label Setup Ubuntu
kernel /ubnkern
append initrd=/ubninit console=ttyS0,115200

• Connect the serial cable between the two computers
• Boot the board on the bootable media, follow the steps
  • Warning : GRUB setup : don't choose the USB media as install destination !
  • Warning : Don't forget to install openssh-server

Configuring the console on the serial port

The console must be configured for the BIOS, the bootloader (grub) and for the login.

Configuring grub and the kernel

• Add the following lines to /etc/default/grub, using sudoedit /etc/default/grub

# Setup grub output on serila port
GRUB_TERMINAL=serial
GRUB_SERIAL_COMMAND="serial --speed=115200 --unit=0 --word=8 --parity=no --stop=1"
 
# Setup the kernel output to the serial port
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX="console=tty0 console=ttyS0,115200n8"
 
# Boot even after failing a boot
GRUB_RECORDFAIL_TIMEOUT=10

• reinstall grub using sudo update-grub