[SOLVED] 7.5 Configuring the Linux Console

patrick.h · 02-11-2011, 09:04 PM

Where do I look for an example of a North America U.S. keyboard? All I see are polish, german and bulgarian.

patrick.h · 02-11-2011, 10:58 PM

I think a North America USA console example would be as follows:

cat > /etc/sysconfig/console << "EOF"
# Begin /etc/sysconfig/console

UNICODE="1"
KEYMAP="us"
FONT="lat1-16 -m 8859-1"

# End /etc/sysconfig/console
EOF

I chose the keymap from directory:
/lib/kbd/keymaps/i386/qwerty/
I'm going to use us.map.gz which seems to be for USA hopefully.

I chose the font from /lib/kbd/consolefonts
I'm going to use lat1-16.psfu.gz
with 8859-1 from /lib/kbd/consolefonts/partialfonts

The UK example should be the same just with the keymap="uk" instead of "us"

DeeGee · 05-06-2013, 05:11 AM

Hi!

I know this is an old thread, but wanted clarification as there was no other replies for the thread than that of the OP and I thought it best to build up on this topic than creating my own.

Is his/her following configuration correct?

Code:

cat > /etc/sysconfig/console << "EOF"
# Begin /etc/sysconfig/console

UNICODE="1"
KEYMAP="us"
FONT="lat1-16 -m 8859-1"

# End /etc/sysconfig/console
EOF

In the rc.site file I have the following as given in the book:

Code:

# Console parameters
#UNICODE=1
#KEYMAP="de-latin1"
#KEYMAP_CORRECTIONS="euro2"
#FONT="lat0-16 -m 8859-15"
#LEGACY_CHARSET=

Can this also be used?

My other question is a broader one regarding making LFS portable. I've noticed that in mainstream distros the user can choose from among keymaps at installation. Is the /etc/sysconfig/console automatically created depending on the user's choice or are there pre-created files for each and every language?

druuna · 05-06-2013, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeeGee

Is his/her following configuration correct?

Code:

cat > /etc/sysconfig/console << "EOF"
# Begin /etc/sysconfig/console

UNICODE="1"
KEYMAP="us"
FONT="lat1-16 -m 8859-1"

# End /etc/sysconfig/console
EOF

That depends on what it is you want to accomplish.

The /etc/sysconfig/console isn't mandatory, if you do not create it (or leaver it empty) it will fall back to its defaults (POSIX).

If you need/want region specific non-ASCII characters to be shown in the console or you have a non-standard keyboard then you need to create one that fits your needs. Only you know what those "needs" could be (a specific non-standard keyboard, geographical location etc).

Also, the console file is only used for the console, it will not have any influence when an X session is started.

Quote:

In the rc.site file I have the following as given in the book:

Code:

# Console parameters
#UNICODE=1
#KEYMAP="de-latin1"
#KEYMAP_CORRECTIONS="euro2"
#FONT="lat0-16 -m 8859-15"
#LEGACY_CHARSET=

Can this also be used?

The examples in the LFS book are for non-standard situations. I would advise to not use a console file for now (assuming you have a standard keyboard). This file can always be created at a later time.

Quote:

My other question is a broader one regarding making LFS portable. I've noticed that in mainstream distros the user can choose from among keymaps at installation. Is the /etc/sysconfig/console automatically created depending on the user's choice or are there pre-created files for each and every language?

No, the /etc/sysconfig/console is static (created by you and not touched by automated processes). I do believe your observation is X related.

DeeGee · 05-06-2013, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by druuna

The examples in the LFS book are for non-standard situations. I would advise to not use a console file for now (assuming you have a standard keyboard). This file can always be created at a later time.

No, the /etc/sysconfig/console is static (created by you and not touched by automated processes). I do believe your observation is X related.

Thank you for the very informative answer.

I have a standard keyboard, So I'll leave it as it is.